Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Cup of China--The Men!

The Boys in China

Jeremy Abbott of USA: Gold Medal Winner Jeremy Abbott at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China 2011-2012

The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China occurred this weekend and so, naturally, I scoured the web for all the photos I could find of the skaters and their lovely--and sometimes not-so-lovely, costumes. Because after all, that's what I do! In m past Cup of China posting, I wrote of the Cha-Cha Krazee Ice Dancers HERE, and now, we are onto The Men.

Here were my Faves:

Nobunari Oda of Japan: Second Place Nobunari Oda skated his Free Skate to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg by Michel Legrand. The 1964 musical (all the dialogue is sung)--starring the great Catherine Deneuve is about a Madame and her daughter who sell umbrellas in Paris. She falls in love, becomes pregnant, and so on and so forth (Wikipedia it kids!)--What his black with royal blue jeweled crystals very fitted double breasted suit has to do with that, I have no idea.

Other than, well, he looks rather "Parisian" and chic! It's a very interesting idea for a costume. I would just think that it is so hard to move in a tailored suit, but I am sure the amount of Stretch in that suit was A LOT! (I hope so for Oda). The crystal detail on the jacket is quite exquisite. I want a jacket JUST like that to wear to one of my red carpet/TV appearances!

For his Short Program, Nobunari skated to "Memphis Soul Stew" by King Curtis. His costume included the ubiquitous tight black pants used by most of the men, and a multi-colored very bright printed shirt. The colors on the shirt were great! I always do love when one of the male competitors, first of all A.) Doesn't BORE me to Skating tears, with a vest-and-shirt ensemble, and B.) Gives me COLOR!!! It was an interesting modern and abstract print that went well with his music and skating.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan: 17-year-old Hanyu had some trouble in his Free Skate performance but was still one of my favorites. Also, one of my favorites: his incredible costume. He skated to "Kissing You" (Love theme from Romeo and Juliet) and "Escape", both by Craig Armstrong. His costume tried to vibe the Shakespearean Romeo character. Whoever designed and created it, did a FABULOUS job! The top was Romantic and has the essence of a Period costume blouse, but it was very modern with its horizontal ruching and ombre color effect. But the best part were the jeweled straps across his body: INCREDIBLE!

I've been saying (in some of my past Costume Critiques) why doesn't anyone do jeweled/ Swarovski crystal straps in a Men's costume (as opposed to BORING faux leather), well, I think someone heard me! (or read me, that is).

In his Short Program, Yuzuru Hanyu skated to "Etude in D minor, op. 8, no. 12". Here again, Hanyu gave the audience some visual costume "candy" with this multi-hued blue chiffon and velvet with ombre black details as well as crystals and diamante's throughout. Now this is a top Johnny Weir would LOVE! And actually, the reason I think these costumes work so well for him is he has a very lyrical quality to his skate, not unlike Johnny Weir.

Nan Song of China: Nan Song got the Bronze overall at home in the Cup of China this weekend. His Free Skate costume did feature two of my most dreaded Men's Costume Elements: a vest and a dress shirt. But...this was a different kind of vest-and-shirt ensemble. Therefore: Me Likey. The silver-and-black sequined vest with the purple crystal-encrusted band-collared blouse--sorry, I mean shirt--was very Peter Allen "The Boy From Oz" Fab (even though that wasn't the music). And yes, that's why he gets "Nick V Figure Skating Costume Points"!


Jeremy Abbott of the USA: Finally, it's Gold Medal Winner Jeremy Abbott. His Free Skate was absolutely GORGEOUS. Sublime. I was so moved, I even Tweeted him (Hi, am I a sixteen year old girl??? Don't answer that!). EVERY single second of that Free Skate was not wasted. It was lyrical, beautiful and strong. OK, sorry, let's get to his Free Skate Costume...

He skated to "Exogenesis: Sympony Part 3" by Muse. It was black, simple, elegant...just like his skate. He wore those basic black pants, and a fitted stretch long-sleeve top with a horizontal "V" and black crystals throughout. Normally, I would have huff'ed and puff'ed about a costume like this requiring, well, more "Umph!"...but no huney, it was just right!

*Up Next , More Cup of China Costumes--The Ladies and Pairs!!

Nick Verreos Rates the Figure Skating Costumes: U.S. Nationals 2011--The Men & my UniversalSports.com Figure Skating Blog!

Oh Boy!

Le Men: (Left to Right) Richard Dornbush, Gold Medalist Ryan Bradley, Ross Miner and Jeremy Abbott, 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Last week, the 2011 U.S Figure Skating Championships occurred in Greensboro, North Carolina and I talked about the Ladies, Pairs and Ice Dance Costumes HERE--but I didn't want to leave the Men behind...So now, here goes MY MEN...well, my "Nick V. Figure Skating Costumes Two Cents" on what the top competing men wore.

Let's begin with two-time U.S. National Champion Jeremy Abbott:

Jeremy Abbott: Short Program

For his Short Program, Jeremy Abbott skated to "Viejos Aires"--a Tango. I like seeing the non-vest-and-pin-striped-trouser Jeremy so it's "refreshing" when he does this "costumey" short program. There's a little "Victor/Victoria"--or is it "Victor/Victor" element to it with the half vest/half jacket look but, it works. I also love that he really embraces the entire ensemble--from head to toe--and even slicks his hair in an intense manner, to match the intensity of the sequined black and white costume as well as the powerful Tango program.

Jeremy Abbott: Long Program

For his Long Program, he skates to "Life Is Beautiful" and yes, it's a little yawn-inducing but I like the subtle sequins in the plaid vest and I have to concur that for that music, the costume works. I guess the Fashion Designer in me would love to see...well, a little more but I understand what he was going for.

Richard Dornbush: 2011 US National Silver Medalist

Richard skated to "Sherlock Holmes" and his costume reflected this: The ubiquitous vest (this is really THE staple go-to piece for Male Figure Skaters!). I liked the tie, and the contrasting patterns. He's young and anything more flashy would not be right. Thank Goodness, the sleeves were fitted and modern as opposed to some big ol' Leg-o'Mutton Blouson Sleeves he could have gone with. He had a PHENOMENAL night, so really everything else is just secondary!

Ross Miner: 2011 US National Bronze Medalist

Ross skated (beautifully I might add--one of my favorites!) to "Casablanca" and honestly this was a definite yawn of a costume. I don't want him to look like a Moroccan Souk Rug Salesman, but I also don't like him looking like part of the Catering team at someone's Bar Mitzvah! Although he did accent the crisp white shirt with some fabulous cuff links, I really want him to spice it up next time (costume wise)...just a little bit!

Keegan Messing: Long Program

OK, now here's someone who tried to "spice it up", but it didn't work. Poor Keegan. He skated to "The Hulk" but his costume was more Cirque Du Soleil...on a budget! It failed on all levels. It looks as if he went to "Hollywood Toys and Costume" on Hollywood Blvd. and bought a costume in a bag. And then decided to wear it...to the U.S. Nationals! The top did not go with the pants and that brown (?) belt with the silver diamante buckle further dumbfounded me.

But now...

Ryan Bradley: 2011 US Nationals Gold Medalist

Ryan won the Gold and became the "Comeback Kid" of the 2011 U.S. Nationals! I absolutely ADORE him! He is my new secret crush! (well, not so secret now). He could wear a Garbage Bag as a costume and I would be like "You Go Ryan!". For his Long Program, he skated to an "Amadeus/Mozart Medley" wearing a ruffled neckline blouse, fitted jacket/brocade vest and very fitted pants. It was "Amadeus: The Hot Calendar Guy" version! I, personally, would have taken this look even further and been even more playful giving him a real foppish quality to his costume, but like I said, he can do no wrong in my book!

Ryan Bradley: Short Program

Now, speaking of HOT: Ryan Bradley in his "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" ensemble, which he wore when he brought the house down skating to his Short Program. This was my FAVORITE costume for ALL the men skaters! Now THIS is how you do ARMY. If this is what the Recruits/ROTC would have dressed like in high school...huney, then I might have skipped UCLA and my Fashion Design studies and signed up!

Boogie Woogie Ryan

Ryan gets my "At-a-Boy Nick Verreos Figure Skating Costume Fashion Gold Medal" of the 2011 U.S. Nationals for this fabulous sexy yet still somewhat traditional, but still "campy" (in it's own very TIGHT stretch woven fabric sort of way). I'm sure lots of girls in the audience wanted to put on a 40's snood, a fitted jacket and A-line skirt and do the Boogie Woogie with him after they saw this! Thank you Ryan for "bringing it"--in your wonderful skating, as well as in your costumes!


For My Complete "Fashion Review" of the US Figure Skating Nationals: Go to Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com "Go Figure" Blog and Photo Slide Show of my "Figure Skating Fashion Two Cents", Click HERE and HERE!