Top-10 best costumes in ice dance. Season 2016-2017
Summer it’s a perfect time to discuss fashion. So take something refreshing (a glass of wine for example) and let’s discuss best and worst costumes in ice dance season 2016-2017.
I have discussed some costumes during the season but here’s an annual chart.
Briefly about the trends: men in black, men in blue and damn ombre. I like laconic costumes, but an ombre nightie it not exactly what I meant!
I will start with pairs who didn’t get into the top-10 of this ranking, but whose costumes I’d like to point out. Dresses with a fringe lways look great in motion, you just need to know how to use it. Here are two pairs who did really well:
Olivia Smart / Adria Diaz
Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam
Mitchell also has a very nice suit with a vest. Pity that they finished their career. They was a pair with a good sense of style.
This season fringe was popular not only in figure skating, but also at the red carpets. Emma Stone in golden Givenchy dress and Olivia Culpo in Marchesa:
And here goes the fashion ranking of the season 2016-2017!
10. Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue and Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Nikolaj Sorensen
First of all I like this costumes because of the color. It would seem that it’s impossible to be remembered in gray-blue…..Turned out it’s quite possible. This color was perfect for the mood of the program creating a sense of intimacy and half-whispering. The color is noble and suits Madison. The design of the dress is quite simple, but it’s well sewn. Such shade and light floral decoration could be seen on the podium.
Elie Saab 2011 and Paolo Sebastian 2017:
In terms of color I prefer the darker variant of Zach’s costume, but in terms of design – the light one, because it’s tight and Zach has what to show) I’m not a fan of wide, untucked male sweaters and shirts in figure skating.
Here I also liked the color combination. Very nice one. Both costumes look good together and suit the style of the program. I want to pay attention to the design of the bodice of Laurence’s dress. The neckline, translucent parts and open back but all together it does not look vulgar. And when they added a little bit of decor, it became even nicer. Nikolai, thank you for absence of the boring combination “black trousers – white shirt”.
Yeah, during the season I was complaining that this “dress” is quite distracted. Because every time I saw it I was thinking how to call it. A dress? A ballet chiton? A negligee? Gabriella Papadakis dark edition? Whatever it was, it was pretty bold and memorable. What can’t be said about many just nice dresses.
No need to go far for the sources of inspiration – collections of Elie Saab and this time Alexander McQueen:
I also like the translucent sleeves of Nikolai’s tight-fitting long sleeve. First, they look good with Laurence’s dress. Second, they add some detail into the black costume.
9. Lorenza Alessandrini / Pierre Souquet, Elena Ilinykh / Ruslan Zhiganshin
and Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov
Many people in the ninth place. Here we have ladies in dark blue and their gallants.
Dark blue is one of the most versatile colors in figure skating. It looks good on the ice, finishing looks good on it, it suits almost everyone. So its popularity is understandable.
Beautiful, not overdone dress. Simple and tasteful. Quite versatile and will look good in many programs. Ladies, note to self. Shortcomings: strange beige insert in the neckline. Why is it there? Or is it a bad choice of underwear? Whatever it was, I did not like it.
Wow, he’s in jeans! Cool and well-sewn. At least some variety among standard “white shirt + vest”.
The style reminds me of her dress from the Olympic season. That dress suited Elena a lot. The dress for the blues also turned out pretty. Beautiful bodice, quite slimming with moderate amount of jewelry (but I would have removed bracelets from one hand, a bit too much). Interesting fabric of the skirt with a “glitter effect”. Fabric is beautiful, but heavy, there was no flight. And I didn’t like the diamond rose)
Tuxedo has not spoiled a single man yet. Ruslan looked good, but the bow tie + lapels with rhinestones were almost shouting “Katsalapov, is it you?”
And here is Katsalapov himself. In a standard set “White shirt and vest”. This year the waistcoat looks better fitted. Pretty, but standard.
Victoria’s dress is very good. First, it’s a mini dress! It’s a crime to hide such legs. Second, there’s no nude illusion mesh! Third, a little amount of fringe “cheered up” the skirt and added some mood to the movements. And another plus for the gold finishing, because I’m quite tired of the stereotype combination of blue and silver.
Why did not the costumes from the FD get to the rankings? Because she is wearing just a nightie. It’s difficult to surprise with a nighty. I’m already tired of this “desabile” trend, the soul requires something gorgeous)
8. Ekaterina Bobrova / Dmitri Soloviev and Madison Chock / Evan Bates
I’m ready to include them in my fashion ranking only for the fact that Katya took off that skirts of an old-lady. Come one, you should show such legs! But she shouldn’t open that much everything above the waist. First, the golden rule: either a mini or a decollete. Secondly, Katya’s upperbody isn’t in great shape and there is no need to show that. But, compared with the curtain from last season it is a confident step forward. Although, we already saw something like this:
I like how Dima looks this season. There was s lot of argues about his jacket, but I like it. First, now it is fashionable. Secondly, it is texturally interesting, I really wanted to touch Dima….his jacket I mean)
In the free dance Dima joined the trend “dances in training clothes”, by the way it suits him. So I have no questions to Dima this season.
I really like Katya’s dress. Stylish, interesting, laconic. The style of “sports chic”. The dress is cool but not for Katya. This dress is for a girl with a different body type. The dress also required a different hairstyle and makeup.
This season, Madison and Evan took up the niche “We went to the mall and bought costumes”. By the way, it turned out quite well. There are dances where creative costumes with rhinestones would look just ridiculous. Madison looked super hot in this skinny jeans and top on which during the season appeared more and more holes.
Evan…Evan is again somewhere on the background draped in all black … .only with a metallic zipper on the back. Well, then he was given another sweater – with a “leather” inserts, but I doubt the audience has even noticed that change.
The first version of costumes for the FD was cool. Even Evan looked great in everything black. Madison’s dress charmed me with its sharp minimalism. Stylish and bold. I especially like the design of the missing sleeve, there is something futuristic and warlike in it. You could say “just from the runway” about this dress. That’s why I did not appreciate the change of costumes.
Surely they wanted to add colors and stylistics. Turned out well. But it was “cool and stylish” became “another costumes for figure skating”.
7. Maia and Alex Shibutani
This season, Maia Shibutani managed to surprise me. I didn’t expect her to wear trousers. Moreover, during the season, Maia became even more brave and decided on a quite sexy top. The only thing I can find fault with is the length of the trousers. In combination with contrasting white boots, the legs were visually shortened.
Alex….In the short dance Alex looked chic! Stylish, elegant and confident. It was a great expensive look. Loved it.
In the free dance miracles ended. Hello untucked blouse, slit skirt…..hello dark-blue. Sorry Alex, but after the chic look in the short dance, this asymmetrical blouse with drapery is not impressive. I’d also like to make it more tight! We girls are wondering whether there is anything to see)) otherwise, you know, we can run to the fan club of Zach Donohue)
Maia’s dress is very nice. Well-sewn, well-fitted, with delicate finishing and drapery on the bodice. I’d gladly wear such dress. Everything is good, everything is tasteful … .but after promising costumes for the short dance, I expected something more.
Same source of inspiration, Elie Saab:
6. Lucie Mysliveckova / Lukas Csolley and Tina Garabedian / Simon Proulx-Senecal
The sixth place is a perfect illustration to the principles of my ranking. It does not matter which country you represent, it does not matter which places you took, even if you did not get into the free program. This will not prevent you from getting into the fashion ranking, if you have beautiful costumes.
I must confess that I did not remember the costumes from tv-broadcast and appreciated them only at the photo. I was surprised that such beauty passed me by. I’m so tired of “passionate dresses” and “ombre night dresses”, I really missed such beautiful, feminine gowns! If I were Anna Cappellini I’d bought it) Definitely Anna’s style. Laconic black dress and beautiful flowery bolero. So simple and so sweet.
Her partner is dressed to match. Simple and tasteful. A well-tailored suit with a jacket will adorn any man.
Another beauty that could have passed by, because not everyone watches first warm-ups. You know, I’m not a fan of “expensive” costumes with lots of finishing and always praise laconism. You need to know how to present such “expensive” costumes. When I saw this dress – with a long flowing skirt and luxuriously decorated bodice, I had nothing left but to say wow. I think Tina was inspired by last year’s dress of Kaitlyn Weaver for the waltz. Well, a worthy example to follow. It is a pity that I couldn’t find a lot of photos of this pair. Therefore, I advise you to watch the video, the dress looks very impressive.
The main for the partner in such case is to keep on with the style. It’s more than enough just to look worthy. Nothing fabulous is needed.
5. Gabriella Papadakis / Guillaume Cizeron and Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir
The second set of costumes for the short dance was gorgeous! Just WOW. The rare case when both partners have interesting costumes. Guillaume looked stylish and it was a real costume, not clothes that he bought on his way to the ice rink.
Gabriella’s dress is very elegant and refined. The skirt looked fabulous in motions! Chic costumes! But the paradox …… after the change of costumes the dance lost its charm. Not always beautiful “expensive” costumes are for the best.
The combination of dark-blue and gold in collections of Marchesa and Valentino:
Maybe their fans will say that I do not understand anything in fashion and that costumes for the FD are gorgeous, breathtaking and bla bla bla but I’m going to disagree. Yes, costumes are good, they did not distract from the dance. But nothing special and I really got tired of ombre.
Gabriella’s dress is pretty and light, with an asymmetrical bodice and drapery. It looked good on her. There are a lot of examples from the podium. For example, among the dresses of Monique Lhuillier:
Guillaume … ..of course, he has what to show … ..but, probably, I’m too conservative and not ready to see the man’s armpits and the content of decollete in figure skating.
Surprisingly, but ice dancers somehow passed by trendy dusty rose shade. Only Tessa had such dress and Anna Cappellini took a bit for her blouse.
The dress is ambiguous, but interesting. You want to take a closer look, to look the details, search where they took an inspiration. Because usually skaters get their inspiration in collections of 2-3 designers, same from year to year)
The first association with the design of the bodice – bandage dresses.
Bandage dresses by Herve Leger:
But in combination with a light skirt it also reminded a dress by Christopher Kane:
Pink dress looked better with Scott’s blue costume. (By the way Scott doesn’t wear any wide untucked shirts no matter in what shape he is) But green-gray dress I liked more.
In my opinion, it suited the mood of the program better and Tessa had so many pink dresses that I wanted something non-standard, different from her usual wardrobe.
4. Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier
Their costumes for tango are vintage chic! Paul in a suit with double-breasted jacket and purple shirt looked very stylish and very hot. What can I say?) Well-dressed men are my weakness. Tie deserves special attantion, it’s not just a tie which many skater wear just to have a tie, no it’s like a cherry on the cake, the key moment of the whole image.
I can easily imagine this pale blue lace dress in fashion magazine from 30th. It’s so simple, without any hints of “usual passionate dresss in figure skating”, but the whole look turned out very sensual. This is not what we usually expect to see for tango … .but you can catch yourself thinking that it could not be different, just like that. And this violet flower in tone of lipstick instead of the red rose in hair. Chic. Everything is thought out to the details.
3. Anna Cappellini / Luca Lanotte
Italians, as always, are true to themselves. Both in programs and costumes. That’s why we love them. Anna’s dresses deserve to get into the history of figure skating as a fashion phenomenon. The design proven by years and it seems nothing changes, but every time you look at Anna, you think “I would wear such dress with pleasure”. This season is no exception. Her dress for the short dance is totally in the style of 50th and remind famous polka dot dresses by Givenchy:
Luka has never been the pale shadow of his partner. He is always well dressed and not afraid to show his costume boldness where it’s needed. Cool red jacket. Such a dandy)
And a complete hit with the costumes for the FD. Shortened jacket, slightly baggy gray trousers. They did not overdo it and did not make the costume too theatrical. But a little criticism. I did not notice that on video, but on photo I saw that the trousers do not always look good (probably they did not take into account all the features of Luca’s figure).
Anna’s outfit is wonderful. Beautiful combination of colors. The dress is very tender, delicate, fits perfectly into the style of the program. I don’t understand why she changed it.
The second dress is also beautiful and maybe even more in the style of the program than the previous one. Lovely translucent puff-sleeves, white collar. It has its own charm and elegance, but it made the program darker ……
2. Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje
First time I saw this costumes at the Rostelecom cup and immediately got a desire to take a closer look. The idea is very cool. Especially for Kaitlyn’s costume. Short shorts and jacket on the naked body. Simple, stylish and trendy. Female trouser suits with jackets with a plunging neckline do not descend from the red carpets. But I’d remove the necklace, earings, this gloves… .. well, ok let’s keep the necklace)
It’s difficult and almost impossible to spoil Andrew with the costume. That’s why we have higher demands) I think that the costume for the short dance has a room for improvement. The waistcoat is pretty, but how does it match with the leather inserts on the trousers? Some strange and unnecessary mixture of styles.
The first version of the costumes for the FD was good, but not WOW. Kaitlin’s dress looked pretty ordinary and even a bit old-fashioned (according to the ice dance trends). Although, the color is beautiful, not too much finishing. It’s just not what we love Kaitlyn for. But I like the black costume for Andrew (but still I wish the shirt hasn’t bee so wide).
Again Elie Saab:
Therefore I was almost sure that the love for costume luxury will take over. Weaver and Poje will think again and show the world the usual splendor. And they did.
The new dress was exactly what Kaitlyn is so good in! Dresses for red carpet, gold, jewelry – it’s all for her. All this imperial splendor she knows how to present it like no one else. It does not make sense for such a beautiful pair to hide behind trendy modest nighties and training clothes. And I really liked how they added a purple layer of skirt into the traditional combination of red + gold.
Kaitlyn is gorgeous, but again I have questions about Andrew’s costume. No, I categorically do not like this baggy shirt. It would be better to keep the black one.
This time the dress “was found” not on the podium and not on the red carpet.
New York City Ballet
- ………………………………………
This season first place remains empty. Everyone lacked something. Perhaps they save ideas for the Olympics. Well, Weaver Poje were the closest to the fashion championship.
Related topics: Alexandra Paul Mitchell Islam, Anna Cappellini Luca Lanotte, Ekaterina Bobrova Dmitri Soloviev, Elena Ilinykh Ruslan Zhiganshin, figure skating costumes, figure skating dresses, Gabriella Papadakis Guillaume Cizeron, ice dance, ice style, Kaitlyn Weaver Andrew Poje, Laurence Fournier Beaudry Nikolaj Sorensen, Lorenza Alessandrini Pierre Souquet, Lucie Mysliveckova Lukas Csolley, Madison Chock Evan Bates, Madison Hubbell Zachary Donohue, Maia Shibutani Alex Shibutani, Olivia Smart Adria Diaz, Piper Gilles Paul Poirier, Tessa Virtue Scott Moir, Tina Garabedian Simon Proulx-Senecal, Victoria Sinitsina Nikita Katsalapov
Loved reading this!! So much better than most of the chatter that goes on in the stands. And who is surprised that Guilluame Cizeron is the designer? Ha! I agree, and maybe I am old-fashioned too, but I am not ready for the male decolletage and armpits on the ice.
Thanks for the smiles you gave me!
Brilliant. Who knew figure skating fashion was so important! :)
I think you missed Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko…
No I didn’t. This costume review is only about senior skaters.
Thank you for clarifying :)
I have discussed their costumes during the season:
http://fs-gossips.com/best-costumes-from-isu-jgp-st-gervais-short-dance/
http://fs-gossips.com/best-costumes-from-isu-jgp-st-gervais-free-dance/
My favorites this year would have to be Weaver/Poje, Gilles/Poirier, and Chock/Bates’ first version of the FD costumes.
I love the contrast of Piper and Paul’s costumes, the light and dark blues remind me of Volosozhar/Trankov’s Masquerade Waltz. And thank you for not wearing the traditional red and black for tango!
Weaver/Poje know how to look like a royal couple. I actually attempted to sew a dress inspired by Kaitlyn’s FD dress because I liked the look so much.
Loved Piper’s blue dress!
“Gabriella Papadakis dark edition” made me laugh. Papadakis/Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry/Sorensen have the same costume designer… Guillaume Cizeron :)