ICE STYLE.....Beijing Olympics 2022 FIGURE SKATING COSTUMES: ICE DANCE!

Dance Queens and Kings--Ice Dance at the Beijing 2022 Olympics (L to R) Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the USA, Gabrielle Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France, Madison Chock and Evan Bates of USA--Ice Dance Competition, Beijing 2022 Olympics

Continuing with my "ICE STYLE" Beijing 2022 Olympics Figure Skating Costumes BLOG, I have talked about the MEN HERE, and now it is time to discuss the ICE DANCE costumes! The Ice Dance Competition culminated several days back with the exciting Free Dance Competition, making it a redemption story for the incredible French team of Papadakis and Cizeron, who at the last Winter Olympics had that infamous "wardrobe malfunction", where the back clasp of her costume came unhooked. They succeeded in winning the gold, with a powerful, moving, sublime skate that will be measured as the Rolls Royce of Ice Dance free skates for years to come. 

Now, let's discuss the COSTUMES, beginning with the GOLD medalists:

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron FRANCE Free Dance--For their Olympic gold medal-winning Free Skate to Elegie by Gabriel Faure, Gabriella wore a gold sequined costume with delicate strapping, asymmetrical detailing, and an open side front slit. It was divine and glamorous; taken to the floor, it would be the perfect Oscars Red Carpet gown. Guillaume wore black pants and a second-skin tight blood-red top with delicate crystal embellishment. Even though they didn't necessarily look like a "costume pair", I loved them both for their elegance, simplicity, and sleekness...and I also appreciated her matching red-colored lips. The costumes by Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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BTW #1:

Before landing on the gold-and-red costumes...Papadakis and Cizeron had tried out two other looks during their appearances at previous competitions last year, including a very "modern dance" look (left), and a copper-colored top for Guillaume (right).

BTW #2:

I was a bit surprised they went (for Gabriella) with another strappy costume--especially in holding it up around the neckline (left), because of what happened at the last Winter Olympics (right) but thank goodness whatever clasp/closure they utilized this time around held up better than the last one!

Rhythm Dance to Made To Love by John Legend,  U Move, I Move by John Legend--I absolutely LOVED these costumes on Papadakis and Cizeron for their Waacking-inspired Rhythm Dance. Gabriella's burgundy-colored costume featured a see-through neckline, midriff, and sleeves with solid panels and thigh-high slit skirt, all accented with beautiful sequin accents. Guillaume wore a matching color top with skin-tight faux leather pants. Guillaume's top mirrored her design with the same see-through and solid details as well as sequins. I especially loved how the panels in the designs highlighted their bodies, accentuating the form in sharp detail. Sexy, bold, and modern, these costumes were designed and created by Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov ROC Rhythm Dance--Skating to You Can Leave Your Hat On (from "Nine  1/2 weeks") performed by Joe Cocker, and Brick House by The Commodores, Sinitsina and Katsalapov wore these black-and-white looks above. While I liked her UBER sexy midriff-exposing one-shoulder look, I thought his ensemble looked like a badly dressed tourist at a Carnival Cruise bar. As a costume duo, they were more Tacky Insta-Influencers and less Hot Sexy Couple.

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Free Dance to Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov and Caprice No. 24 by Niccolo Paganini--These looks were far more elegant and better than the Rythm Dance in design and execution. Victoria's ivory sequined costume had gorgeous pin-tucking torso details which then opened up to a flouncy skirt. In contrast to hers, Nikita was in all-black with a loose-fitting shirt and pants. I wish he would wear more slim-fitting shirts, but at least this was an improvement from his Rythm Dance "Margaritaville"-looking outfit.

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Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue USA Rhythm Dance--One look at these costumes and after the first beats of their music, it all made perfect costume sense! Skating to Nasty by Janet Jackson, Rope Burn by Janet Jackson, Rhythm Nation Janet Jackson, Hubbell and Donohue wore these fabulous costumes paying homage to Miss Janet Jackson and especially her Rhythm Nation looks. I thought they were done expertly and exquisitely with the sharp fitted tailoring, the silver grommets, crystals, buckles...they were 100 % Janet and still done in a non-Halloween-but-instead fashionable manner. Iconic.

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Free Dance to Drowning by Anne Sila--Beautiful, ethereal, melancholic...all words that come to mind when I saw these Free Dance costumes on Madison and Zachary. Her lilac sequined dress was sexy but not vulgar with its almost-nude look that is very much on-trend for evening dresses now. I loved the asymmetry of the hem and neckline as well as the soft delicate color. Zac's look of a sequined maroon-gray-hued velvety top and maroon-colored pants was a nice masculine foil to her costume femininity.

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Madison Chock and Evan Bates USA Rhythm Dance--Skating to Myboi by Billie Eilish, Therefore I am by Billie Eilish, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, Chock and Bates wore these black and neon green looks above. Evan was in all black with an outfit of pants, shirt, and faux leather-accented jacket. The only color came from the neon green lining; Madison was the star and the center of focus here in that highlighter-green colored sequined costume with pointed bustline and fab gloves done by Feeling by Mathieu Caron. In fact, one of my favorite details was those GLOVES and the emerald jeweled nails (seen in the photo above from the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating Championships). I thought they looked great!

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BTW:

Evan's costume changed within this past season...above is what he wore to the same Rythm Dance at Skate America 2021, consisting of a skin-tight knit shirt with green binding and...a faux leather chest harness. I liked its boldness and sexiness at the time but his more "subdued" costume worn at the Olympics was more understandable, making her the sole Costume Focus.

Free Dance to Contact by Daft Punk, Touch by Daft Punk, Within by Daft Punk, Touch by Daft Punk--An Astronaut and the Sexy Reptilian Alien. Doing a Mating Dance to...Daft Punk. Sign me up! 

These were some of my favorite costumes in Ice Dance this season BY FAR! Evan looks hot in this astronaut-from-the-future sleek indigo blue costume with a graphic white and lavender piping, accentuating his torso. And Madison brings high fashion life to this Couture Reptile from the Runway look, featuring intricate sequin applique and a fishtail hem. Outstanding! The costumes were created by Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri ITALY Rhythm Dance--Skating to Michael Jackson x Mark Ronson: Diamonds Are Invincible, Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson, the Italian Ice Dance couple wore these costumes above. Marco's especially paid homage to the icon, Michael Jackson and his 1995 MTV Awards look, with his black and silver sequined cardigan and pants with a white t-shirt outfit. Charlene was more 90s Versace in her costume, especially with the bust and silver strapped details.

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Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin ROC Rhythm Dance--Skating to Everybody by Backstreet Boys (Apashe, Oski, Lennon Unofficial Remix), Monster by Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Stepanova and Bukin wore these costumes above. While I think they were trying to give more of a late 90's fashion vibe here (to go with the music), these outfits still looked like modern and fresh updates. The 90's style cues of neon colors, rips and shredding, work-out top, and fingerless gloves were all there but updated with a more 21st styling and fit.

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Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier CANADA Rhythm Dance--Yes kids, you are looking at NEON ORANGE, TONS of multi-colored sequins, rainbow-colored feathers, AND one-piece jumpsuit bell bottoms! So don't be shocked when you realize they are skating to Elton John...more specifically I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues by Elton John and Still Standing. They are over-the-top, kitschy, fun, and bold, just like the icon himself. Many commented that if you are going to wear something as BOLD as this, their ice dance better be just as bold, and to me, it was but...yes: I could not take my eyes away from those costumes. These need to go in an Ice Dance Hall of Fame Costume Exhibition...TOMORROW! They were designed by Peter DeFreitas.

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BTW:

For the Team Competition that happened at the start of these Olympics, Gilles and Poirier skated their Rhythm Dance wearing the same costumes...almost. Piper wore something different which featured a bubblegum pink bra top, cropped jacket, and "feather" skirt. I am glad they opted for the complete jumpsuit for their Individual Ice Dance Competition. 

Free Dance to Long and Winding Road by Paul McCartney, arranged by Govardo--For their Free Dance, Gilles and Poirier wore these light lavender-and-violet-hued costumes with sequins and tie-dye shading. While I really liked hers, I wasn't so much a fan of his--in terms of the coloring/shading and sequin details. For him, it was almost distracting, especially with that one-leg dye-and-sequin section which I felt was unnecessary. Her draped asymmetrical costume with exposed shoulder flounce-sleeve was beautiful and stage-impacting, making her almost look like a rare bird found in the Amazon.

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BTW:

The above were the costumes they wore for their Free Dance in the Team Competition at the Beijing Olympics over a week ago. Look closely and you will notice that in terms of design, they're basically the same (as the light lavender ones) but just different in color and dyeing effects. I almost like these worn for the Team Competition better than the other ones. They were designed and created by Peter DeFreitas.

Olivia Smart and Adrian Diaz SPAIN Rythm Dance--Skating to Proud Mary by Tina Turner, Olivia Smart and Adrian Diaz looked Muy Caliente in these costumes. Adrian wore a black outfit consisting of black pants, a belt, and a sequined black shirt with plunging neckline and satin cuffs. It was OK, except for that belt. I know that they have to cinch their pants otherwise, they would not stay up perhaps, but, I would rather see a non-belt clean undisrupted look. Olivia was PERFECT as an Ice Dance Tina Turner in a shocking red sequined mini dress with a cowl neckline. 

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Free Dance to I Was Always There by Henry Jackman, The Fencing Lesson (The Mask of Zorro soundtrack) by James Horner, I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You (The Mask of Zorro soundtrack) performed by Tina Arena, Marc Anthony, The Plaza Of Execution (The Mask of Zorro soundtrack) by James Horner--The Spanish Ice Dance pair wore these great looks above for their Free Dance. Olivia wore an emerald green corset-style dress with a draped wrap skirt and Adrian was Zorro Hot in a black ensemble. The costumes were perfect compliments to their skate, music, and overall theme. Muy Bien Chicos! The costumes were designed and created by Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson GREAT BRITAIN Rythm Dance--They skated their Rhythm Dance to I Was Made For Lovin’ You (from "Hard Times") by Kiss, Forever (from "Hot in the Shade") by Kiss, Rock, and Roll All Nite (from "Dressed to Kill") by Kiss in these black and silver studded looks. I liked everything about them: His sequined shoulder flange details, his UBER plunging neckline (very "Kiss"!), as well as her design with the sequined "V" applique, the side panels, and fingerless gloves. They look 21st century Rock & Roll hot!

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Free Dance to Circle of Life, Nants' Ingonyama (The Lion King soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, They Live In You (The Lion King soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, He Lives in You (The Lion King soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, Circle of Life (The Lion King soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, King of Pride Rock, Circle of Life (Reprise) (The Lion King soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer--I have to give costume props to the designers at Elite Xpression for taking the "Lion King" theme and somehow making it more Alexander McQueen and less Pantages Theater! I really liked these for their high-end fashion style and sequin-and-feather-like applique. Her costume beadwork was great and the delicate, almost Couture-like ruching on his top was subtly gorgeous.

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Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker USA Rythm Dance--To their Disco-inspired Rhythm Dance to Love to Love You Baby - Giorgio Moroder Remix by Donna Summer, Bad Girl - Gigamesh Remix by Donna Summer, Hawayek and Baker wore these looks above. I can see the overt Disco-influence in his unbuttoned satin shirt and black outfit, as well as her razzle-dazzle dress, overall these were OK but to be honest, not fabulous: I would have maybe liked his satin shirt to match her lipstick and earrings (pink) and for Kaitlin, I wouldn't have taken the crystal mesh all the way down that deep in the front; maybe just the neckline, arms and in the back, while her waist would be "cinched" with a solid pink contrast band matching his shirt and her earrings/lipstick. Just my two cents.

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Free Dance to Prelude in E-Minor, Op. 28, No 4 by Frederic Chopin, arranged by Janusz Olejniczak, Nocturne in E-Minor, Op. 72, No. 1 by Frederic Chopin, arranged by Janusz Olejniczak--Ethereal, pretty, delicate and just right for the skate and music. I liked these costumes from the U.S. Ice Dance pair for their Free Dance. His romantic blouson style satin top was modern-dance ballet adjacent and nice when paired with tight pants, and Kaitlin's lilac dress was effortless; I loved the gathered bust and waistband and see-through flared skirt. Costumes are from Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha CANADA Free Dance to Real in Rio (from Rio soundtrack) by John Powell, Locked Up (from Rio soundtrack) by John Powell, Bird Fight (from Rio soundtrack) by John Powell--These Ice Dance costumes to "Rio" were on my TOP FIVE LIST for this past season: I LOVED THEM! The colors, the design, the outstanding sequin work...they were like two rare, exotic birds ready for a Bird Couture Runway Show! Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you make a COSTUME IMPACT. Bravo! Naturally, these GORGEOUS creations are from Feeling by Mathieu Caron.

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And Last but (maybe) not least...

What would you wear if you had to skate to "Spirit in the Sky", The White Stripes, and Britney's "Toxic"? Katharina Muller and Tim Dieck of Germany decided to go The Joker meets Harley Quinn...of course! They were a fantastic Costume Mess, and I was LIVING for it. Unfortunately, the judges were not amused by their skate and possibly the choice of costumes, as fun as they might have been! They received the lowest scores out of ten couples in the Team Event Competition in Rhythm Dance.