Hello champions!
Another day, another look at the fascinating world of Figure Skating costumes! I could write 50 volumes on this subject, the fodder for discussion is endless, but we’ll just take our time.
This is the bottom line….if you dress like a winner, the judges are more likely to see you as a winner. That’s just the way it goes in Figure Skating! That pressure makes for some real hits and misses though, doesn’t it? Every competition is like another Oscar red carpet!
Can we talk about Michelle Kwan?
Michelle is basically the Michael Jordan of Figure Skating. She is one of very few competitors that is a house hold name, and she became rich from her efforts as well! Not very common in our beloved sport, sadly.
Obviously, Michelle was a powerful athlete, a rock solid competitor and a beautiful performer…..but she was also consistently dressed great, often by Figure Skating design royalty Vera Wang. There is no question that her beautiful dresses contributed meaningfully to her success.
One thing about Michelle Kwan is that she never looks dated. Even her dresses from 15 years ago come across fresh when I look at them today.
Vera Wang created many beautiful looks for great Champions over the years. Like two time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan of the USA.
Carolina Kostner of Italy wore incredible dresses at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 didn’t she? Carolina skated to her potential at this event, which means she was mind blowing, and those fantastic dresses took it to the next level. What a classy lady! I’d bring her home to mom and take her to bed too. Rrrrreow!
Another stand out dress from the Sochi Olympics was from Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada. This Long Program Cleopatra gown was truly fabulous!
Her Short Program look was cute too.
Ashley Wagner of the USA wore a sassy frock for her Short Program in Sochi as well, set to Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”
Queen Yuna Kim of South Korea has always kept her look glamorous, which I appreciate, and she has had many incredible outfits. This one from 2013 might be my favourite though.
Johnny Weir of the USA brought a bold look to the ice, and love him or hate him, there’s no denying he was memorable! (Oh and side rant: Johnny deserved a Bronze medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver! 5th place was a shockingly low result for what he did there…for shame)
Some costumes are just so bad they get good to me. Russian men particularly have that effect. Remember Russian hottie Ilia Kulik? He won Gold in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano wearing this…
A puffy vinyl shirt, in a Giraff print, with a vest. Yep. That’s all I have to say about that.
See also: living legend Evgeni Plushenko of Russia!
He toned it down a bit for the Team Event at the Sochi Olympics in 2014…
But we’re more accustom to seeing him in stuff like this…
Or this..
Mmmmmm and this…my personal favourite…
There’s no missing Plushenko on the ice! God love him for that.
Elvis Stojko of Canada is another legendary skater who wasn’t afraid to have his own unique image..
The judges may not have loved it but there’s no doubt Elvis was a fan favourite!
Olympic Ice Dance Champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the USA have always stood out to me in terms of wardrobe.
I love their attention to detail and use of colour.
So many sparkles…I’m half blind.
Let’s leave it here for today.
Any costume related content you’d like to see in future editions of “FASHION baby!” please let me know in the comments section! I’d love to hear from you.
Until the next time my beloved arena pals….bend your knees, keep your back straight and wear the hell out of your costume. It’s the only reason to even have one.
xoxx
Hbelle
Edgy 