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Pairs GLITTER:











Gretchen Donlan and Andrew Speroff--The Pairs Team of Donlan and Speroff finished 6th overall. For their Short Program to "Nocturne" by Ennio Morricon, they wore these costumes above designed by Bobby Pearce, Paul Ginandes and Yumi Barnett-Nakamura. I liked the black/gunmetal silver/gray colors and I especially enjoyed the "nocturnal sky" beading in her neckline. It was also a great idea to line the skirt with the contrasting gray. Now, in terms of his look, it was OK, but...I would have liked a variation on her sequined sky on his shirt--as opposed to wearing a shirt that could have been bought from Macy's.






Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier--I liked these costumes they wore to their "Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona Short Program.The costumes designed by Joey Santos reflect the theme of the music and give a subdued España vibe. I also like the fact--unlike Donlan and Speroff--the male here looks like he really belongs with his female partner. Both of their costumes finish off the total presentation.





Tiffany Vise and Don Baldwin--Vise and Baldwin ended up in 10th place (last) overall at the 2013 U.S. Nationals in Omaha. The costumes in the above photos are for their Short Program to...







I like the purple and black colors of the costumes, designed by Erin Ovens-Scalzitti and Mare Talbot. I thought Tiffany's look reflected a sexy Latina-esque beauty but there were some details I was confused about such as the white bra/bandeau top peaking out from the plunging neckline and maybe too much criss-cross straps with less-than-expensive looking diamante trim. I think her costume needed some editing and revising.




 On a good note, I especially LOVE his "Mariachi" metallic hardware on the sides of Don's pant legs.




Felicia Zhang Nathan Bartholomay--Zhang and Bartholomay got the Bronze overall. They skated their Short Program to...









Kudos for that. I liked that they brought in the pool water into the colors of their costumes (smart!) and I also enjoyed (naturally) a little bit of the sparkle seen in both their looks. I will say this however: I am NOT a fan of the "Ross Dress For Less" belt I see on a lot of these men--both Singles, Pairs, and some Ice Dancers. And here, it just distracted me from the rest of the look. Everything else looks put together and costume-y...but then, there's that belt. If I were a Costume Designer I just don't know what I would do; I just know it wouldn't be that.






For their Long Program/Free Skate to Music from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, these costumes were just right. Felicia went fuchsia colorful and pretty but not 60's period while Nathan kept to the 1961 "movie/musical" script and looked just like one of the Jets or Sharks. Now, for Nathan, the belt which I normally HATE--works here. Because it is part of the outfit/costume and theme. PS: two belt looks for Nathan,...I guess he really loves himself a belt! Both the Short and Long Program Costumes, by the way, were designed by Dawn Imperatore and James Peterson.





Alexa Scimeca and Christopher Knierim--Scimeca and Knierim got the Silver overall at the 2013 U.S. Nationals. These two have only been skating together since April 2012 and so far so good! For their Short Program to "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven, they donned what I call "Figure Skating Classical" ensembles which I liked. Alexa looked elegant and pretty in white with strewn crystals throughout. The criss-cross back straps were great as well as the bust section with chiffon inset. My favorite part was her hair accessory:  a sequined "side crown". Oh, and yes, Christopher's costume was an A+ in terms of being in synch with hers. The ombre white-to-black deep v-neck with convertible collar and three-quarter sleeves was nice and still sparkle-y enough to make an impact during their skate.





Speaking of a costume impact...For their Free Skate to "La Vita E Bella (Life Is Beautiful)" by Nicola Piovan from the 1997 comedy-drama film which garnered director and actor Roberto Benigni a Best Actor Academy Award, Scimeca and Knierim went Crystal Crazy as you can see above. Christopher stuck to his love of a  three-quarter sleeve but this time, it was a button-down. In addition, he donned a bedazzled vest that looked two minutes away from something one might see the piano player wearing at "Musical Mondays" at your local gay bar! I liked Alexa's red costume because of the bright red lipstick color juxtaposed with the nude illusion and the asymmetrical details kept me interested.





Marissa Castelli Simon Shnapir--The Gold-medal winning pairs team of Castelli and Shnapir skated their Free Skate/Long program to "Payadora" by Julian Plaza, an Argentinian Tango.  He's 6' 4"and from Russia and she's 5' 0" and from Rhode Island. Yes: A FOOT and FOUR inch height difference! But I digress, let's discuss the costumes. They were designed by Yumi Nakamura, Julie Marcotte and Paul Ginandes. I liked Marissa's red and violet lace and sequin applique costume and thought the asymmetrical illusion detail was interesting. However, I still felt that it could have been slightly more impacting and directional, in terms of it's Tango Diva theme. I liked Simon's look--especially the shirt with its satin-and-crystal front yoke. But, it would have been nice to carry over some of her red--or violet colors into his costume.

Ice Dance Costume Highlights:








Continuing with my Costume Recap of the costumes from the 2013 Prudential U.S. Championships of Figure Skating, which occurred last week/weekend in Omaha Nebraska, I've discussed the Men's HERE, and Ladies HERE, and  now it's time for the Ice Dancers:











Mai Shibutani and Alex Shibutani--Brother and sister Ice Dance Team, The Shibutani's received the Bronze overall at the 2013 U.S. Nationals--I've also discussed their costumes HERE on my blog. I loved both what they wore for their Short Dance to "Ojos Azul," "Dolencias," and "Sikureada" by Incantations above, especially, her forehead crown headdress.





Alex wore a headdress/forehead tie of his own last year while performing this Short Dance at the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012 (photo above). I'm happy he decided do do without it in 2013. God costume move Alex.




I also think that their costumes for their Free Dance to Music from the Memoirs of a Geisha soundtrack by John Williams were some of the most OUTSTANDING of this Skating Championship Season 2012-2013.










Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue--Pewter Medal-winning Ice Dance team Hubbell and Donohue skated their Short Dance to Music from the Titanic soundtrack by James Horner. Their costumes reflected the film and it's star-crossed lovers played by Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio. I just wish her dress was a teeny-bit more luxe. It looks more like something a bar girl would be wearing in a "Spaghetti Western" as opposed to early 20th Century upper class couture. The inclusion of the "Heart of the Ocean" diamond necklace, however, was a great touch!





Taylor Tran and Sam Kaplun--Tran and Kaplun skated their Short Dance to "Boskovsky Medley" by Willi Boskovsky --a classical waltz/polka. These were nice. I liked Taylor's fluttery dress and semi-corseted torso detail. I'd like to see an elegant cravate on Sam, though--just a little touch of dapper-ness.





Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt--I like these Short Dance costumes worn by Ice Dancers Kriengkrairut and Giulietti-Schmitt (say that three times!). They skated to "Ring of Fire" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Chris Isaak and went very "Walk The Line" Johnny and June Carter Cash here. Her dress was very similar to Reese Witherspoon's June Carter (above photo) and I liked Logan's sexy Johnny Cash--especially the BIG belt buckle.





Davis and Charlie White--Davis and White won the Gold, naturally, skating beautifully, with passion and exuberance. I have recapped  both their Short Dance and Free Dance Costumes HERE throughout the season last year. For their Short Dance to Music from Giselle by Adolphe Ada, they wore these costumes above which I liked.




Meryl is very St. Pauli girl (the sweet version) and he looks like a Disney character (in his going wood-chopping ensemble). And I mean both comments in a wonderful way!





I also liked their Free Dance costumes worn to Music from Notre-Dame de Paris by Riccardo Cocciante and Luc Plamondon. I just wish he would go a bit more "period"...





Congratulations to Ice Dance Gold Medalists Davis and White!!! You're in a league of your own!



**Up Next: The PAIRS Costume Recap of 2013 Prudential U.S. Championships of Figure Skating 

It's Ladies Time:












Ashley Wagner--I've discussed Gold Medalist at the US Nationals 2013 Ashley Wagner's Short and Long Program costumes for this 2012-2013 Season extensively on my blog HERE, and yes, I liked them both, especially her Free Skate one. For her Short Program to "Red Violin", I liked the swirl crystal detail and even though it did have a slightly more relaxed look to it...it had a modern, balletic appeal and I loved the back straps which looked like violin strings.







For her Free Skate to "Samson and Delilah", I thought her costume was Figure Skating Costume Couture. Perfection. The cut, the color, the draping and sequins. All of it.





Gracie Gold--Once again, I have written HERE about these costumes above--both her Short and Free Skate. Her costumes for both the Short Program and Free Skate were designed by Brad Griffies.
I liked her Short Program costume that she wore skating to "Hernando's Hideaway" by various artists.  The juxtaposition of the
solid fabric vs. the small-to-large sequin detail is very nice. For her Free Skate to Life is Beautiful soundtrack by Nicola Piovan,
Gracie wore this bright blue and sequin costume designed to look
strapless--with nude illusion at the upper chest and neck. It was very
pretty. 






Agnes Zawadzki--Oh yes, I have also discussed Miss Agnes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her Short Program Costume that she wears to Sex and the City by A. Sigman. Exotic, colorful, well executed. Figure Skating Fab! Designed by Pat Pearsall, of course.




Christina Gao--The lovely Christina ended up 5th in the overall 2013 US Nationals standings. She wore this beautiful deep violet-blue costume for her Short Program to "Close Without Touching" by Kostia. I thought it was delicately elegant. I liked the sequined flower and asymmetrical chiffon "skirt".




For her Free Skate to "Libertango" by Astor Piazzolla, she wore a black sequined number that looked expensive and evoked visions of Haute Buenos Aires. Let me translate that: I LIKEY! And it is also a new costume! It is different from what she had been wearing for the Grand Prix Series (pictured below)...







Mirai Nagasu--Love me some Mirai. She ended up 7th at the 2013 U.S. Nationals last weekend. I've commented on this pink Short Program costume HERE.  She skated to "Downhill Special" by Benny Goodman and between the fringe, the bright pink, the crystals,the FAB back...I just didn't know which I liked more!





Angela Wang--Angela skated her Short Program to Music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack by Tan Duname. She ended up in 9th place overall but I thought this"one-shoulder" number was GREAT! We all know that RED symbolizes good fortune and joy in Chinese culture. So the different variations on the color was a good choice--especially for the music. The design was nice as well.





Hannah Miller--Hannah ended up 10th in the overall standings. For her Short Program to "Tanguera" by Sexteto Mayor (a Tango), she wore this very boldly designed costume. I liked the mixture of black with the pink and red but it still has elements of TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras". I think she should have said "adios" to the choker detail and maybe looked into editing the wrist accents.




Caroline Zhang--Caroline finished 11th overall at the end of the 2013 Prudential U.S. Championships of Figure Skating. She wore this costume above to her "The Rushing Wings of Dawn" by Tim Janis Short Program. I really liked this--the nude (good skin color match!) illusion top section with the deep purple color of the rest of the costume was well executed. The sequins also looked expensive. This is a big point of contention with me. Kids: don't skimp on the crystals. SWAROVSKI. Always.




Ashley Cain--Finally, I wanted to briefly discuss Ashley Cain. She came in 12th overall. For her Short program skate to "Montserrat" by Orquesta del Plata (Tango music), she wore this red stretch lace costume.I thought it was a bit expected to wear red. But I give her points for NOT having any black color in this. Or a Red Rose in her hair. She was very late 80's in this ensemble. All she was missing were those Maripol "Madonna" black rubber bracelets, a tulle skirt from a second-hand store and she should have skating to "Borderline"--or "La Isla Bonita"!



** Next Up: The PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costume Recaps of the 2013 U.S. Championships of Figure Skating