ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2012: Pairs

Lots of Crystals, Spartacus Fab, Last of the Mohicans Sexy, More Headbands and a Fringed Skirt...

Top Three Pairs: Silver Medalists Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada, Gold Medalists from Russia Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov, Bronze Medalists from the USA Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy 2012, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Sendai Japan

Continuing with my Costume Recap of this final ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012-2013 competition (before the Grand Prix Finals), it is now time to discuss the Pairs at the NHK Trophy and who stood out in terms of costumes. So, let's get started...

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia: I've discussed the Gold-winning pair of Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov and their Free Skate costumes to Music from the Spartacus soundtrack by Aram Khatchaturian HERE. I thought these costumes were FABULOUS! I would say without a doubt, one of my favorite Pairs Costumes of the Season, by far. They could have gone "Halloween Spartacus Costumes from a plastic bag"-tickety tacky, but they didn't. They were the complete opposite; polished, theatrical, costume-y but with a dash of red carpet couture.

Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir of USA: Congrats to the US pairs of Castelli and Shnapir for getting Bronze at NHK Trophy 2012. These two skated their Free Skate to "Payadora" by Julian Plaza, an Argentinian Tango. The costumes were designed by Yumi Nakamura, Julie Marcotte and Paul Ginande. Since it is a tango, it makes sense they would go red and black with their costumes. I like his better than hers. I think it was great to add the crystal-encrusted bib to his black tuxedo shirt, therefore transforming the usually yawn-inducing black outfit so many of the male skaters tend to go for. Hers just didn't seem creative enough in my eyes and didn't really compliment his costume. They almost seem to not really belong together. Take a look at the Russians at the top of the post and how they BOTH work together, as an example of what I mean.

Lindsay Davis and Mark Ladwig of USA: Davis and Ladwig skated their Short Program to Beethoven's "5 Secrets" by OneRepublic and The PianoGuys in these costumes. They were designed by Dawn Imperatore and Stephanie Handle. Now, here was a case in which I loved hers but not his. Lindsay's costume was pretty, classical and had elements of very on-trend "Grecian Goddess" draping. I LOVED the gold shoulder details and accents. You could take this costume, lengthen it just a bit, and voila: it's a pretty cocktail dress. Bring it to the floor: a Miss Universe-worth gown! But poor Mark, he looks like he stepped out of a 1987 figure skating show! I'm just not that much of a fan of the blouson tops on male figure skaters. They look dated. I'd rather see tight, fitted. These boys have got .000032 % fat so why not show it!

Nicole Della Monica Matteo Guarise of Italy: I've discussed Della Monica and Guarise's Short Program costumes which they wore to the music of "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica (seen above) HERE. Let's just say that I wasn't amused. It's a bit too Bad Night at the Disco. It's supposed to vibe Metallica, rock & roll and the 90's...not so mucheey. With that being said, Matteo looks MOLTO HOT!!

For their Free Skate to Music from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, they wore these blue costumes with with white ruffle trim. I am so sorry but these look cheap. What is with that ruffle treatment? It screams "Arts & Crafty" and so something that one would find on a dress for a four-year old girl. This was a Costume Letdown. They didn't honor the music nor the fact that they come from a country so famous for its high quality fashion.

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada: Again, I've covered the above costumes this Canadian pair wore for their Free Skate to "Queen Medley". You can read it in full HERE. In short, I thought these costumes were very "retro" in terms of the styling and details; including his blouson ombre-dyed top and her "flashy" diamante-studded design. But they were too 1984-retro. I wished they were a bit more 21st Century, but still with a hint--just a hint--of the retro.

I have not discussed what Moore-Towers and Moscovitch wore for their Short Program seen above. They skated to "A Motley Crew" from the Micmacs soundtrack. "Micmacs" was a 2009 French comedy film was described as a "satire on the world arms trade" (go figure!). These very bold and colorful red, white and black costumes scream more "Cirque du Soleil" and less "Micmac". But, I still liked them. The asymmetry of his jacket/vest, bold print, red piping together with her costume which combined the same color and styling elements, worked. But still, someone out there reading this who is a "Micmac" aficionado might have to enlighten me on what harlequin black, white and red costumes have to do with this French film...because I still have NO IDEA.

Anastasia Martiusheva and Alexei Rogonov of Russia: For their Free Skate, Russians Martiusheva and Rogonov skated to Music from the soundtrack of The Mission by Ennio Morricone...

Conquistadors (left) and a portrait of Maria Luis de Parma (right) queen consort of Spain, 18th Century

These were pretty great costumes which combine a little of the 18th century "Conquistador" look, a little bit of Reina Isabella II and some "Dancing With The Stars" sexiness. I liked how the "belt"-like detail and accents seen on her costume (above-bust neckline and arms) was then carried over--and more heightened--on his costume, trying to reproduce the heavy belts the men of those times would wear.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of USA: For their Free Skate, this very cute American pair (who incidentally only announced their partnership in April of this year) skated to Music from The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack by Randy Edelman, "500 Nations" by Peter Buffett...

They took the rather drab costumes from the film and "Disney"-ized them. Alexa and Chris looked like characters from a "Disney On Ice" version of "Pocahontas". He was cute in a white top with neckline beading while Alexa was Pretty and Sexy in her turquoise blue one-shoulder sequined costume, the very "Figure Skating Costume" on-trend headband and in case you didn't notice, yes...