#I did draw Kim but I can’t crop it in a way that’s balanced LOL

[rynli]

crowded

[axelsandwich]

lae’s unofficial list of favourite figure skating costumes and why

What a great question - there’s so much I want to say about costumes, believe me, and I will probably reserve some of this for a future episode of In The Loop because of that, but here are some of the costumes that come to mind for me. There are a lot of costumes that I find gorgeous in themselves but fewer that really match with the criteria you set out. 

In no particular order

Seimei 2.0 - Yuzuru Hanyu Designer: Satomi Ito (who actually said Yuzuru was the designer lol)

I mean, duh. I’m so glad this ended up being its final form that truly did justice to the program, the terrifying confidence of gold accents and all. Talk about a costume being created for a program that was also created for Yuzuru and by him. Yuzuru adapted a traditional Japanese character and music for the modern figure skating context and it’s fitting his costume did the same - flattering and unusual, designed to be iconic and singular. 

Danse Macabre - Yuna Kim Designer: Unknown (maybe Lie Sang-Bong who designed a lot of Yuna’s dresses in the past)

Listen Queen Yuna had so many amazing looks that it’s genuinely so hard to choose, but this was just. Iconic. Incorporates Yuna’s signature open back, high collar and long sleeved dress which she’d return to so many times, perfectly suited to the vibe of the song that also made her best qualities sing. Evokes a flock of ravens and seductive darkness without being too literal about it. How to make black striking: take notes. 

I’d also put her Homage to Korea dress in the same category of being instantly striking and a way to do black costumes. 

O - Akiko Suzuki Designer: Unknown but maybe Shizuko Orihara (MU Costume Design) who has designed costumes for Akiko in the past

Truly such a subtle, intricate dress like nothing I’ve seen before and so well executed (look at that colour selection of the beading!!!!! arhghhg I love). A little literal given the nature of the program (bird themed) and why do Japanese ladies insist on matching their eye makeup to their dress ; _ ; but truly so striking - I’ve never seen anything like it or since. 

Loco - Shoma Uno Designer: Satomi Ito 

This is a prime example of costuming accentuating the skater’s best physical qualities - eye-catching, sophisticated design, the high collar that directs the eye and draws attention to Shoma’s features. The balance of red elements dotted in the jacket making it feel cohesive, and suited to the nature of the music. The gradient of the top and cropped jacket creates an illusion of proportions that gives him longer legs. 

Notte Stellata - Yuzuru Hanyu (Scan credit)  Designer: Satomi Ito (x)

Again, usually I wouldn’t go with such literal costumes but this is a masterpiece - the subtlety of the bead and crystal work, the feather motif, the plunging back... the perfect costume for this program in that I can’t imagine another. 

Send in the Clowns - Yuna Kim Designer: Ahn Gyu-mi

Okay this merits a special mention because I’m still not sure if I agree with the shade of yellow (I think a golden more mustard yellow would have been killer) but this is one colour only Yuna could have pulled off given the light undertone of her skin, the orange notes in her blush and lipstick and warm brown in her hair that stopped it from looking sallow. Send in the Clowns is one of my favourite Yuna programs and this was just such a bolt of unexpected colour especially against the Sochi blue that it was unforgettable. 

Sous le ciel de Paris - Kaetlyn Osmond

Perhaps an odd choice - it’s not the sort of costume that would normally catch my eye but somehow this is an example of a costume matching a skater and music becoming something more when working in conjunction with the two. It captures Kaetlyn’s athletic vibe in its cut while still evoking French sophistication with the colour, the neck-scarf and a bit of sparkle. 

Also in this category of ‘costume matching skater and music and becoming more than a sum of its parts but mostly because I love a particular detail’: 

On Golden Pond - Karen Chen Designer: Jan Longmire (x)

I’m a sucker for the asymmetrical sleeve detail here only because this is one program that really calls for it. 

Miss Saigon - Satoko Miyahara (also her Planets costume because the hair detail and the baaack again). Designer: Unknown

I don’t love the shade of red (not so sophisticated) but the open back and the detail in her bun....I think it really accentuated Satoko’s best features, her delicacy and subtle sophistication even at such a young age. I bought her as a young Kim.