Can't Help Falling In Love ... with Hubbell & Donohue (fan thread #2)

I wish they could ditch the first music, and go with only the second part.
 
MarieM said:
I wish they could ditch the first music, and go with only the second part.
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I had to watch it again to understand what bothers you but I don't see it. This music gives an edgy side to the program imo whereas the second part is all about sensuality. The contrast is what makes it interesting. Sure it needs more mileage, more intricate transitions and they need to learn to fully commit to it but it's a solid start. Much more interesting than their FD last year, at least for me of course.
What really bothers you with it ?
 
This is the first time in a few years that I've actually really enjoyed both of their programs from the start. The SD and FD both have room to grow this season, but wow, I love them. The FD is going to be special- even though I think it needs a few more choreographic touches here and there, it's a complete program IMO. Again, this is a fantastic starting point. So excited for this season.
 
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Like everyone I'm thrilled with the quality of their skating and the clarity of their vision, this early. It's awesome to have it happen in the Olympic season. The foundation for both programs is solid. Without much to speculate skating-wise right now, I'm fixating on the packaging.

I really think the billowy SD dress is problematic. Latin competition dresses are body-conscious to show off crisp, defined movement. A lose top with a long (and lose) skirt creates a shapeless silhouette. Instead of revealing hip action, articulation of the torso, etc., the body movements/lines get muddled up. And with Zach's costume being so basic, Madison's dress needs to embody the Latin vibe. The current design doesn't.

Madi's FD styling seems to reference the 1920s jazz/blues era: crimped hair, art-deco embellishments, scalloped hem. The thing is, they're using contemporary pieces of those genres. Her period look feels out of place with their modern-sounding music. Also, at least on video, the skirt looks heavy, stiff. It may be lighter in person, but it doesn't come across that way on camera. Zach's FD costume is a nice surprise! It's tidy, doesn't look cumbersome or distort his lines. More importantly it doesn't look period-specific so it doesn't clash with the music.

Thoughtful design will always enhance the expression of concept/movement. Here's to dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's ;)
 
I wouldn't consider myself a fan of H/D in the sense that I get sensitive to criticism so keep that in mind when I say the following but my god some people are always overly critical of her dresses. I get criticism at times when an outfit is offensive or really bizarre but I don't think any of her outfits ever fall into that category. It seems quite clear from her blogs and interviews that she has he really own fashion vision and her mother seems to spend a hell of a lot of time driving back and forth to Montreal to bring her vision to life. Just seems like it's a case where I say just let her wear what she wants. In most cases the suggestions aren't that great to replace what she has already put a lot of thought into. When I see her SD dress I am reminded of dance shows where the women dancing rhumba are wearing some sort of very revealing piece of flowly cloth so I see it as her going for a safer version of that.

Anyway, just had to. Get that out because it's something I've read for a while now and don't get all the constant criticisms of her dresses.
 
Don't care about the dress at this point! What pleases me is that they seem connected to their music and choreo. in a way that they weren't last year. I was afraid that they would be so intimidated by their training mates and just try to be like them. They did look self-conscious at times. Just my impression, knew that I liked them a lot. Now I really like both programs! They have a serious shot! And if they don't get it this time, they will the next. Refreshing!
 
marbri said:
I wouldn't consider myself a fan of H/D in the sense that I get sensitive to criticism so keep that in mind when I say the following but my god some people are always overly critical of her dresses. I get criticism at times when an outfit is offensive or really bizarre but I don't think any of her outfits ever fall into that category. It seems quite clear from her blogs and interviews that she has he really own fashion vision and her mother seems to spend a hell of a lot of time driving back and forth to Montreal to bring her vision to life. Just seems like it's a case where I say just let her wear what she wants. In most cases the suggestions aren't that great to replace what she has already put a lot of thought into. When I see her SD dress I am reminded of dance shows where the women dancing rhumba are wearing some sort of very revealing piece of flowly cloth so I see it as her going for a safer version of that.

Anyway, just had to. Get that out because it's something I've read for a while now and don't get all the constant criticisms of her dresses.
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A critique is a part of the creative process, it's a tool nothing more than that, and anyone involved in a creative medium knows that. A measured analysis is quite different from a personal affront, and I can only take responsibility for what I do. I don't fear sharing dissenting views, in my experience healthy debate is the best way to problem-solve something or learn new things. But, I do my best to focus my opinions, as informed and respectful as I can possibly make them, on the work. Just wanted to clarify any misgivings about the nature of my intentions. :)
 
I actually love the costumes for the FD. I think they're perfect and hope they stay for the season. I agree that the SD dress needs to be different.

I will say that while I wholeheartedly approve of the FD costumes this season, and there have been some great ones in other seasons--the second red burgundy Paso Doble dress in 14-15 comes to mind, I do feel a lot of times that one or both of their costumes somehow miss the mark. For example, I feel like they never got the costuming for Gatsby right, even though it should have been easy to nail. On paper, it should not matter what the costumes are, and I don't think it's even in the code of points anywhere beyond what I call the decency statements about keep so much of the body covered, etc. However, in practice, the packaging does matter.
 
aka_gerbil said:
I actually love the costumes for the FD. I think they're perfect and hope they stay for the season.
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I think the dress has the right silhouette going on, and I love the back. Just feel the details could be contemporized/stylized further to make it look a bit more of the present, and less vintage ( to match the music). :)
 
You are all crazy. Do you have any idea what goes into the costuming? Umpteen different opinions....coaches, USFS, ISU...and tons of time and money. So please...back off and look at the skating. I get that it is the "whole package" but every year is trying to please everyone and contradictory opinions. Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours involved in the costumes.
 
I've been following figure skating, and specifically ice dance, for essentially a quarter of a century now (26 years come this winter). Yes, I've picked up that the costumes are an expensive and time consuming process. That said, I've been following online discussions in various formats, going back to the alt.rec.skating groups on Usenet in the mid-90's. Costuming has always been a topic for discussion among skating fans, the same way we have always discussed every other aspect of skating from coaching, to music choice, etc., etc., etc., so on and so forth. Fans are going to talk about this stuff--they always have and always will. Our opinions carry no weight, we know that. We hash things out anyway. ;) This is the skating version of armchair quarterbacking.

It is sometimes true though--costumes are discussed at higher levels, and sometimes they can change a team or program's image for the better. Other elite ice dancers have talked about it interviews. Alexandra Paul had this to say in an interview with Two for the Ice right after the 13-14 season wrapped up.

http://www.twofortheice.com/lifted-by-success-paul-and-islam-hold-to-foundations/

But to make that memory, they would first have to earn a spot in a competitive field at the Canadian National Championships. Coach Anjelika Krylova ensured that the couple made a statement with one key change: their wardrobe.

“After Skate Canada, she decided that we needed more of a bold costume,” says Paul. “The gray was too subtle and too light and she wanted us to stand out more and look more dramatic. As soon as we got these costumes made, we stepped on the ice for just a practice in them, and it was just amazing. Everybody was saying how much different it made the program look, just from a costume change and looking bolder on the ice. So you can thank Anjelika for that one.”
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Laura4 said:
That FD was so sexy and sophisticated, and boy did they skate the heck out of it! The audience looked mesmerized. They are definitely making a case for themselves as serious Olympic medal contenders. :respec:
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They sure are! Solid, steady, sexy - all the ingredients are there, and I say that it is about time! They've been around the ice dance political horn enough, already. Time to shine!
 
Barbara Manatee said:
I was surprised at how much of a presence they have on ice. I've never noticed it on tv, but in person they projected confidence and command. Crazy good edges, too. So impressed!
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They have a defined style now imo. They are a striking statuesque pair on the ice and they are finally using it to their advantage! It seems like they are taking the momentum from last season and running with it. I love when you can see steady improvement in skaters:biggrinbo It's lovely to see THEIR confidence on the ice grow too...
 
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I loved their programs this season. They set them up very well for going for their first nationals title, grand prix medals and olympic medal contenders.

The FD blew me away. I don't have an issue with Maddie's dresses, especially FD dress. 1920/1930s blues is classic and modern at the same time. The styling for me is "classic" and vintage. I love it. The FD choreography only enhances their incredible chemisty and versatilty. This FD completely sets them apart from everyone other teams.
 
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I hope so. They're my favourite US team (of the top 3 at least - I probably like the Parsons equally).
 
Madison Hubbell's latest blog entry is all about her showcasing Manta/Johnson because she believes they deserve some attention. I really love her for doing that. I also love her for this quote:

Madi: I totally agree with Karina and Joe about the music regulations! As a sport, I know that rules are necessary to create fair and understandable judging criteria. But I believe that ice dance should have two distinct programs. The short dance, which is more regulated, with specified rhythms and themes. Then, in the free dance, I think we could open up the music regulations a bit more. No more change of rhythms needed, and no more change of expression. After all, people speak about the “golden ages” of ice dance and compare the programs of today to programs performed before the new International Judging System was introduced. I think it would be really interesting to see what people might do with the same physical requirements, but with more artistic freedom, especially with their musical choices.
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