ICE STYLE.....2013 NHK Trophy Costumes Recap Part One: Ladies and Pairs!

This past weekend was 2013 NHK Trophy. NHK Trophy is the fourth--out of six--event of the 2013-2014 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. It was held at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. I've already covered some of the costumes seen at Skate America, Skate Canada and Cup of China under the "Ice Style" Category here on my NICKVERREOS.COM Blog (you can find the "Categories" on the right side of the blog). Therefore, now it's time to discuss the Figure Skating Costumes at the 2013 NHK Trophy.

A Full House: Japanese figure skating fans pack the Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo Japan to see their favorite figure skaters at 2013 NHK Trophy

I watched the competitions on Universal Sports and NBC and it was great seeing a PACKED house of very excited figure skating fans. During the Ladies and Men's competitions, one could see people up in the nose-bleed sections--Japan LOVES Figure Skating that is for sure! It was a big contrast to some of the already-occurred Grand Prix events which were half-empty in terms of attendance. So, Good Job Japan!!! Now, let's talk about the Costumes: some of the costumes I have already discussed in my Skate America, Skate Canada or Cup of China posts and some I haven't so, with that being said, Time for the Ladies and Pairs of 2013 NHK Trophy...
Ladies:

Mao Asada Japan, Short Program--I've talked about this SP costume she wears to "Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2" by Frederic Chopin HERE in my Skate America post. I loved it. Exquisite, loved the draping and Eiffel Tower-like back detail.

 Mao Asada at 2013 NHK Trophy--Free Skate Costume

Mao Asada Hilton HHonors Skate America 2013--Free Skate Costume

Costume Change: For her Free Skate to "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Mao wore this black and royal blue costume with long sleeves, hem ruffles, a "neck-piece", "knotted/twisted" torso detail section and nude illusion sections. This was a costume change from what she wore the last time she competed at Skate America, which I also loved. At first, I thought "why would she change her costume?" especially since I LOVED the original one so much and it was GREAT! The new "2013 NHK Trophy" costume was fine but I think I liked the "Skate America" look better. I felt it was more modern and I loved the three-dimensional pieces of the top and skirt. Which costume do you guys like best?
 

Akiko Suzuki Japan, Short Program--Click HERE to read my thoughts on this Short program costume to "Hymne à l'amour", when I discussed it back in my Skate Canada Costume Recap.

 Alena Leonova at 2013 NHK Trophy--Short Program Costume

 Alena Leonova 2011 NHK Trophy--Short Program Costume

Same Old/Same Old: Alena Leonova Russia, Short Program--Alena skated to Music from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt. She is not only reprising the same music she skated to in the 2011-2012 season but the same costume. I thought it was two seconds from looking like a store-bought Halloween costume then, and I still kind of think the same now.

Elena Radionova Russia, Short Program to Music from the Anna Karenina soundtrack by Two Steps From Hell--2013 NHK Trophy

Elena Radionova Russia, Free Skate to Music from the Frida soundtrack--2013 NHK Trophy--I talked about these costumes in my Skate America post HERE. To sum it up, I thought both were a bit too CRAY-CRAY for her and a little "Toddlers & Tiaras" tacky-licious looking.

Mirai Nagasu USA, Short Program--Mirai skated her SP to "The Man I Love" by George Gershwin. This blue ombre-dyed costume seemed almost unfinished and cheap. I wish I could say more but I cannot. This could have been much better.

Free Skate: Mirai wore a black costume with silver crystal neckline detail for her FS to Music from James Bond by various artists. This costume was better than her Short Program but it still suffered from needing "something more" in terms of design and creativity.

Congrats to the Top Three Ladies at 2013 NHK Trophy: (left to right) silver medalist Elena Radionova, gold medalist Mao Asada and bronze medalist Akiko Suzuki

Pairs:

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov Russia, Short Program and Free Skate: I have discussed these costumes HERE and I LOVED them! And I have to add, they almost made me shake and CRY as I watched their performance; it was flawless. A "Master Class" in how to skate a fabulous Pairs skate. I cannot wait to see this at the Sochi Olympics.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong China, Short Program: They skated their SP to Music from La Strada by Nino Rota and I liked both of their costumes. I liked her blue and nude illusion design with a red HEART chest detail and I especially liked the fact that his was embellished and incorporated some of her blue sequins into his vest. Although to my eye, his entire ensemble in black did not relate to her look at all. I always prefer a stronger connection between the two costumes.

Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir USA, Free Skate: For their FS to Music from the Skyfall soundtrack by various artists, I liked these costumes. Marissa wore a black sequined dress that looked expensive and elegant--like a "Bond Girl". And Simon---LOVED his super fitted pants and shirt with gun holster look. It was as if he had taken off his Tom Ford tuxedo and revealed what was underneath...The costumes are designed by Yumi Nakamura and Paul Ginandes.

Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao China, Free Skate: They skated their FS to "Yellow River Concerto".  These costumes were great. I especially loved Zhang Hao and that AMAZING blue with green and silver applique sequin of his top. Her costume was beautifully made, elegant and looked expensive! A perfect combination and connection between the two looks!

**Stay Tuned for my Next "2013 Grand Prix Costumes Recap" here on NICKVERREOS.COM !