ICE STYLE.....2018 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Costumes RECAP: MEN'S COSTUMES

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan during his gold medal winning Free Skate at 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Gangneung Ice Arena, South Korea

In my last ICE STYLE blog post HERE, I discussed some of my FAVORITE PAIRS figure skating costumes from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and now it is time for the MEN. A few days ago, the Finals of the MEN'S Figure Skating competition took place with twenty-four men competing for that magical Olympic moment. In the end, no one could dethrone THE KING: Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu. It was a great championship including Nathan Chen! THE SIX QUAD KING! But, enough about that, it's time to talk about THEIR COSTUMES!

Here are some of my COSTUMES HIGHLIGHTS of the MEN from their Short Programs and Free Skates--Let's begin with the German "Jaime Lannister":

Paul Fentz of Germany Free Skate to Game of Thrones (soundtrack)--As much as I watch figure skating and (almost) each and every one of the international competitions, and as much as I cover the costumes of figure skating...somehow I missed this GEM of a costume: Paul Fentz from Germany in a Jaime Lannister "Game of Thrones" getup! While in terms of going with the theme and music, he was spot-on, it's just the costume looked a little bit as if he had bought it from a costume shop for like $39.99. Well, at least people on the Twittersphere went cosplay CRAY-CRAY for him.

Michal Brezina of Czech Republic Short Program to Kodo (Japanese Drums)--Michal skated his Short Program in this black and white costume featuring a skin-tight top with crystal studded dragon-like motifs. I really liked the sequined dragons on his top and style elements of those Kodo drummers with the cinched-at-the-ankle pants and white-tie wrists. Above all, I was just happy he cut his hair and wasn't featuring that douchey hipster top-knot hair I had last seen him with:

Top Knot Michal: NO.

Deniss Vasiljevs of Latvia Free Skate to Put the Blame On Mame by Doctor 3, Anyone to Love and Sway by Michael Buble--For his Free Skate, Deniss went for a "Lead Singer of a Las Vegas Band"-look with his shimmering costume. The look had tuxedo-like pants, dress shirt and a jacket featuring one gold metallic side as well as a blue one. The overall look was a bit Eurovision "kooky".

Keiji Tanaka of Japan Free Skate to Amarcord, Le Notti di Cabiria, La Paaserella di Otto e Mezzo by Nino Rota--Tanaka skated his Free Skate to a selection of music from famed Italian composer Nino Rota (known for his film scores for Fellini). Therefore, I expected color, bold and fun, and he gave me all those with this costume of a royal blue-and-black jacket, striped shirt and skin-tight "jeans". While I LOVED the colors, I was especially fond of his skin-tight skater leggings/jeans; the perfect indigo denim blue, the top-stitching...they were so Disco 1970's Jordache!

Misha Ge of Uzbekistan Short Program to Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini performed by Ikuko Kawai: Misha Ge is one of my FAVORITE male figure skaters. I love his skating but I especially LOVE how he BOWS after his skate like a Bolshoi Ballet Dancer! Oh, and yeah, he also embraces fab costumes. For his Short Program, Misha wore this above. It is a bit "Game of Thrones" Medieval-like in its colors, details and macabre red-and-black details. I liked the asymmetry of the top, sequined embellishment and his low-slung sequined "triple belted" top: So 90's Retro Fab.

Dmitri Aliev of Olympic Athlete from Russia Short Program to Masquerade Waltz by Aram Khatchaturian--I loved this costume. The "Admiral"-like costume featured a red/maroon colored double-breasted snug-fitting stretch jacket, gorgeous collar and cuffs with sequined appliques and those great frilly epaulets. With the accompaniment of the sweeping music and this costume, I was almost transported to a fabulous ball in Imperialist Russia.

Free Skate to To Build A Home by Cinematic Orchestra, The Winner Is (from "Little Miss Sunshine" soundtrack) and How It Ends (from "Little Miss Sunshine" soundtrack) by Mychael Danner & DeVotchKa--I have said this before and it bears repeating: I do love when a male figure skater wears a draped top/costume. Full stop. I love that they are strong enough in their so-called masculinity to wear a soft, draped look, usually reserved for the ladies. So, yes, I do like this purple draped costume worn by Russia's Dmitri Aliev. I also liked the little details, such as the side sequined "buckle" and his purple stretch chiffon-covered hands. This was sublime.

Mikhail Kolyada of Olympic Athlete from Russia Short Program to Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Tango. I loved this black and white costume from Kolyada. It was sleek, fit him well, and featured enough "sparkle" to make me happy.

Free Skate to to Steamroller Blues, Can't Help Falling In Love, Rip It Up by Elvis Presley--Mikhail did Elvis proud with an interpretation of one of his famous costume looks. I liked the details, especially the front torso jeweled sequins, purple scarf and crystal studded back yoke. Once again, the super slim fit was perfect!

Jin Boyang Jin China Short Program to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (soundtrack) by Tan Dun--For his Short Program, Jin Boyang wore this all black costume that had the detailing of a traditional Chinese robe, but reinterpreted in a modern way. The entire look was slim, sleek and minimal. I liked how the interest was kept on top and loved the "harness"-like costume details.

Free Skate to Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, performed by Jeff Buckley--I thought this was quite beautiful, in terms of a costume. It was romantic, sensual and quietly elegant...like the "Hallelujah" music he skated to. I LOVE seeing male figure skaters wear softly draped tops such as these. It might not have been much of a costume (it's just a red top and black pants after all!) but I appreciated it, especially the cowl draping!

Vincent Zhou Short Program to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol--He wore this lilac-hued shirt and dark lilac/gray skin-tight pants designed by Lisa McKinnon who also designed many of the other top figure skaters including Olympic gold medal winner Aljona Savchenko. The shirt featured beautiful crystals throughout but it was the white tank/shirt underneath that made it slightly too "Casual Fridays" for my taste; I'm just not a fan of the under t-shirt showing, so I would have preferred no undershirt.

Free Skate to Moulin Rouge (soundtrack): Zhou wore this red-and-black costume for his "Moulin Rouge" Free Skate. This costume, which was designed by Ladu Design, featured a red and black color theme. I especially liked the beautiful sequin detail that was delicately placed at the shirt's shoulders and one side of the front.

Nathan Chen of USA Short Program to Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine--Nathan wore this black-and-white costume for his Short Program at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The design was done by Vera Wang and her team. Wang is not a stranger to figure skating costumes since, as we all know, she famously designed the costume for 1994 Olympic Silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan, Michelle Kwan (on many occasions), as well as 2010 Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek (who now works for Wang). This costume featured a sleek Lycra black long sleeve mock-neck shirt with a bold white section on one side of it as well as one sleeve. He wore black skin-tight pants to go with the top. It was a very linear look. This was a nice look for Nathan and a COSTUME CHANGE from what he last wore to this Short Program--also designed by Vera Wang:

Do we like this (above) or what he wore at the 2018 Winter Olympics?

Free Skate to Mao's Last Dancer (soundtrack) by Christopher Gordon--For his Free Skate, Nathan also debuted a new costume--also by Vera Wang--This was different from what he last wore for this Free Skate (also from Vera Wang) at the 2018 U.S. Nationals. Once again, it was a black and white costume--featuring a white stand-up band collar, black top and pants and gray sleeves. While I liked the clean, directional design, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed with BOTH of his costumes--especially when it is Vera Wang. Many fashionistas were expecting SOMETHING...and these two costumes were not that. But I do understand how they were VERY Vera Wang-aesthetic and Nathan-like (no fussy, sequined CRAY-CRAY). In case you are wondering, this is what he last wore to the same Free Skate (by Vera Wang) at the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships:

Nathan Chen in Vera Wang, at the 2018 U.S Figure Skating Championships San Jose California

Adam Rippon Short Program to Let Me Think About It (Eddie Thoneick Remix) performed by Ida Carr feat. Fedde Le Grand--I LOVED this costume--designed by Braden Overett and Veretto Sport--worn by Adam for his fab dance music Short Program. I really like the faux leather panels and the rhinestones accenting the top. Throw in that center front zipper and sheer stretch chiffon and Adam is ready to hit the dance floor! I just want to know if I can join him!? The costume is like Figure Skating Meets The Abbey! And just in case you are paying attention (and a figure skating costume fan), the top Adam wore for the 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program was a teeny bit different than what he had been wearing before:

Before: Longer sleeves!

Free Skate to Arrival of the Birds ("Crimson Wing" soundtrack) by The Cinematic Orchestra
O by Coldplay--THIS WAS GORGEOUS! The look--also designed/created by Braden Overett--included blue skin tight pants and a second-skin sequined top. That top was OUTSTANDING: This, ladies and gentlemen IS Figure Skating Haute Couture! There were hints of the sky and bird's wings (to go along with the music) in the sequined designs of the top which I really loved, and against the crisp white ice, the colors and crystals stood out like a fabulous and glorious peacock! In person, the crystals lit up the entire arena! Bravo Adam and Bravo Braden! And by the way, in case you were paying attention...what he wore for his Olympic Free Skate above was different than what he chose to wear for his TEAM competition Free Skate:

Which Top Do You Like The Best?--(Left) Adam Rippon during the 2018 Winter Olympics Team Figure Skating Competition doing his Free Skate representing the U.S.A., and (R) during the Men's Figure Skating Free Skate 2018 Winter Olympics

Javier Fernandez of Spain Short Program to Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin soundtrack): Spaniard Javier Fernandez was a sleek-and-sexy Charlie Chaplin with this costume that he wore for his Short Program. The look comprised of snug gray pants, a second-skin black stretch velvet jacket and white shirt. The jacket had nice details like sequined trim, satin lapels and a fab flower-like lapel "rosette". It was sharp and fit him well yet still had elements of the character he was playing.

Free Skate to Man of La Mancha: I really liked this "Conquistador"-style costume design worn by Fernandez for his Free Skate. The design featured a beautifully pleated blouse with ruffled neckline and sleeve cuffs, as well as high-waisted pants. While I'm not necessarily a fan of the beige-and-black costume color story (so not exciting), it was fine for the theme of his skate and at least, that blouse had those gorgeous details of the mini-pleating.

Shoma Uno of Japan Short Program to Winter (from "Four Seasons") by Antonio Vivaldi--Shoma Uno wore this costume above for his Short Program and I loved it! The Ombré dyed stretch velvet combined with the beautiful bead-work that mimicked ice crystals made for a fabulous look.

Free Skate to Turandot, Nessun Dorma (from "Turandot") by Giacomo Puccini, performed by Jose Carreras--Shoma Uno's costume for his Free Skate consisted of black pants and an intricately detailed royal blue top. The top was striking and impacting, featuring a "plunging neckline" (demurely covered by nude illusion), and gold sequin applique highlighting his neckline and upper torso. It's obvious Shoma Uno LOVES a FABULOUS top for his skates and this follows this style pattern. I liked the "Costume Period"-like design and the colors and sequined embellishment were quite fantastic.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan Short Program to Ballade No. 1 by Frederic Chopin--For this Short Program, Yuzuru Hanyu wore this blouson-style ombre-shaded blue-white blouse with sequined embellishment, a gold cummerbund and black stretch velvet pants. If this costume looks familiar (if you are a figure skating costume fan!), it is because we have (kind of) seen it before: For this 2017-2018 Olympic Season, Hanyu has gone back to the same Short Program Music and (almost) the same Costume that he used for the 2014-15, 2015-16 Seasons. The look above is the costume he debuted at the Rostelecom Cup of Russia 2017 but it is a variation on what he has worn before...

Costume Adjustments: MINOR adjustments to the same costume--(L to R) 2014-15, 2015-2016 and now. The "New & Improved" version includes basically the same ombre-dyed blouson top with crystals but gold beading was added to the mock-neckband. He also used the same gold cummerbund as in the previous season.

Free Skate to Seimei (soundtrack) by Shigeru Umebayashi: For his Free Skate, Yuzuru also went back to a previous Free Skate Program from a couple of seasons ago and he also used the (almost) same costume but with minor sequin adjustments. The costume he wore was elegant and right for the music. In case you are wondering, this is what he wore before, which had more sequin embellishment in the top section...

Old Costume=More Sequined Appliques--Do you guys like this one above or the one worn at the 2018 Olympics?

CONGRATULATIONS...

Top Three Boys--(L to R) Silver medalist, Japan's Shoma Uno; Gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu, and bronze medalist Javier Fernandez of Spain--2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Men's Figure Skating Finals