U.S. Ladies [#20]: In a Week, Maybe Two, They'll Make You a Star

[VGThuy]

The problem with Sweet dreams was that the tempo of the song was just too slow. There’s plenty of songs she could choose from to make something

I think you're right. I find that most ladies skaters have to slow down songs, especially ones that are fast-paced just because that's the nature of skating and it's hard to keep up. That's probably also why we get these female singer-songwriter cafe versions of original songs as well. I applaud that Ashley chose fast-paced non-Tango/Flamenco SPs in the past 3 seasons.

 

[tylersf]

Why a "mock" Christian Dior gown? Dior should be happy to design a gown for Ashley. Other big designers (Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix) have created costumes for skaters in the past.

I think Ashley would have been glorious as Evita. Imagine her in a mock Christian Dior skating gown.

 

[VGThuy]

Why a "mock" Christian Dior gown? Dior should be happy to design a gown for Ashley. Other big designers (Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix) have created costumes for skaters in the past.

Has Dior ever made a skating dress? Big fashion designers tend to not be the norm because the needs are different and fashion and costume design are different animals. Vera Wang was a skater so she had a bit of a background as to what to look for and even she's accused of being boring or just off (Lysaceck's snakes). When was the last time Lacroix made a skating dress? The early 90s? I remember Sasha's Badgley Mischka Swan Lake dress received mixed reviews here compared to her original Swan Lake dress (some loved it and others thought it was very plain and character-less).

 

[Firedancer]

Icenetwork article on Ashley, Karen and Mirai: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/01/02/264172368
It includes quotes from Shae Lynn Bourne about Ashley changing her program.

 

[tylersf]

I would think it would be great exposure for Christian Dior. They're such an old guard, traditional house that needs exposure to a younger crowd. Gucci broke through to a younger audience in the 1990s when Tom Ford came in. Burberry found a new audience when former Saks Fifth Avenue President, Rosemary Bravo made Burberry hip by introducing new colors into their designs. A good Dior costume on a great female skater would bring them new fans.

Has Dior ever made a skating dress? Big fashion designers tend to not be the norm because the needs are different and fashion and costume design are different animals. Vera Wang was a skater so she had a bit of a background as to what to look for and even she's accused of being boring or just off (Lysaceck's snakes). When was the last time Lacroix made a skating dress? The early 90s? I remember Sasha's Badgley Mischka Swan Lake dress received mixed reviews here compared to her original Swan Lake dress (some loved it and others thought it was very plain and character-less).

 

[VGThuy]

I would think it would be great exposure for Christian Dior. They're such an old guard, traditional house that needs exposure to a younger crowd. Gucci broke through to a younger audience in the 1990s when Tom Ford came in. Burberry found a new audience when former Saks Fifth Avenue President, Rosemary Bravo made Burberry hip by introducing new colors into their designs. A good Dior costume on a great female skater would bring them new fans.

I guess it depends on how comfortable they are with making athletic wear, even if its fashionable, and making sure it still looks fashionable while a skater is jumping and spinning and doing level 4 footwork. And if they even feel like they want/need the publicity. I just didn't imagine they were a real option, but since it's a hypothetical Evita program that's never going to happen, then why not? I just figured a more seasoned skating designer like Lisa McKinnon or whomever can make a dress that's inspired by it but with their own spin on it. I mean the Broadway and West End productions didn't actually have Dior make the costumes for their productions either. Heck, Madonna didn't either for the film. They were all the works of a costume designer inspired by Eva Peron's actual wardrobe.

 

[tylersf]

It would be wise for Dior to hire a consultant or speak with the coach and skater to make sure the outfit suits their needs.

I guess it depends on how comfortable they are with making athletic wear, even if its fashionable, and making sure it still looks fashionable while a skater is jumping and spinning and doing level 4 footwork. And if they even feel like they want/need the publicity. I just didn't imagine they were a real option, but since it's a hypothetical Evita program that's never going to happen, then why not? I just figured a more seasoned skating designer like Lisa McKinnon or whomever can make a dress that's inspired by it but with their own spin on it. I mean the Broadway and West End productions didn't actually have Dior make the costumes for their productions either. Heck, Madonna didn't either for the film. They were all the works of a costume designer inspired by Eva Peron's actual wardrobe.

 

[Firedancer]

Video about Mirai and the 3A from the Players Tribune: https://mobile.twitter.com/PlayersTribune/status/948340915042701318

 

[Spun Silver]

Video about Mirai and the 3A from the Players Tribune: https://mobile.twitter.com/PlayersTribune/status/948340915042701318

Beautiful! In a short space you really get the sense of how hard she's worked for it and how much she expects of herself. That spinning machine is especially brutal, to use her word.

 

[berthesghost]

Dior used to design for du Bief back in the early 50s. I think like with lacroix and surya, they're more apt to do it when they're just getting big, not after they've become some monsterous institution.

 

[Frau Muller]

Roberto Cavalli designed for Kostner.

 

[snoopy]

Italian house, Italian skater.

Sorry but Ashley does not have enough star power or panache for Dior to design a skating dress for her. I could see that they would do it for Cizeron and Papadakis because of the French connection (and the panache).

 

[Seerek]

Congrats Alysa Liu on the win in Junior despite illness during the week.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Panache and Dior don't really belong in the same sentence. Dior is hallmarked by ultra-feminine silhouettes and its most current collections have been largely about a very understated aesthetic.

I could see Ashley in the now popular tee by the new Creative Director: We Should All Be Feminists. Although, it's maybe a bit too French girl style for her to pull off totally convincingly.

Sorry, this is a bit off topic now.

 

[kwanatic]

I'm so ready for tonight! I cooked dinner last night so all I'll have to do is come home from work, immediately get ready for bed (since it starts so late by the time it ends it will be bedtime) and then sit down and catch up on the junior ladies' competition. I've heard such great things about the top 3 some I'm excited to watch the competition. By the time I finish that it should be time for the seniors to take the ice.

I'm SO READY!

 

[chapis]

I'm so ready for tonight! I cooked dinner last night so all I'll have to do is come home from work, immediately get ready for bed (since it starts so late by the time it ends it will be bedtime) and then sit down and catch up on the junior ladies' competition. I've heard such great things about the top 3 some I'm excited to watch the competition. By the time I finish that it should be time for the seniors to take the ice.

I'm SO READY!

What?! The competition is today?!

 

[Coco]

Ladies sp starts 6:30 Pacific time - TODAY!

 

[Wyliefan]

Ladies' competition is today and the U.S. Ladies thread is completely given over to Christian Dior. Oh, FSU.

 

[annie720]

I'm so ready for tonight! I cooked dinner last night so all I'll have to do is come home from work, immediately get ready for bed (since it starts so late by the time it ends it will be bedtime) and then sit down and catch up on the junior ladies' competition. I've heard such great things about the top 3 some I'm excited to watch the competition. By the time I finish that it should be time for the seniors to take the ice.

I'm SO READY!

I'm in my pajamas watching novice ladies now and I'll be in my pajamas for senior ladies tonight. Maybe I'll change in between.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I'm in my pajamas watching novice ladies now and I'll be in my pajamas for senior ladies tonight. Maybe I'll change in between.

Too much effort. I haven't changed my pajamas for 3 days. There are some benefits to being sick.

 

[Prancer]

Ladies' competition is today and the U.S. Ladies thread is completely given over to Christian Dior. Oh, FSU.

Since competition talk belongs in the K&C, that's probably a good thing.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I'm so ready for tonight! I cooked dinner last night so all I'll have to do is come home from work, immediately get ready for bed (since it starts so late by the time it ends it will be bedtime) and then sit down and catch up on the junior ladies' competition. I've heard such great things about the top 3 some I'm excited to watch the competition. By the time I finish that it should be time for the seniors to take the ice.

I'm SO READY!

LOLLLL me too. Im on west coast so Ill be watching this live, 8 pm.

Getting everything done NOW that I need to, so I can sit like a maniac in front of the TV tonight.

This is a religious holiday for me (ladies US Nats SP).

Bringing a bedpan with me. LMAO.

 

[Vagabond]

Better Christian Dior than Barak Obama. And I like Barak Obama.

 

[berthesghost]

They could compromise and get Zulema Griffin!

 

[dewey]

Better Christian Dior than Barak Obama. And I like Barak Obama.

My first thought: Why would Barack Obama be designing a skating dress?

 

[dewey]

Roberto Cavalli designed for Kostner.

Never liked his dresses for her. Something icky I can't quite put my finger on.

 

[MsZem]

I don't know where to post this link, so I'll put it here: Nicole Chung interviewed Kristi Yamaguchi about her career, her Olympic experience, and what her success meant to Asian-Americans.

 

[Karen-W]

Too much effort. I haven't changed my pajamas for 3 days. There are some benefits to being sick.

Preach! I've been sick since last week. I'm well enough to work but really shouldn't be in the office infecting my co-workers so I'm taking advantage of the ability we have to work from home. While I would like to be in the office, I'm not upset at the possibility of being home either tomorrow or Friday for pairs and dance in the afternoon, lol.

 

[aftershocks]

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/02/fremont-skaters-switch-to-pairs-is-paying-off/amp/

My goodness. Alysa Liu is a gorgeous skater (with a name worthy of her lyrical qualities). However, she would not be going to the Olympics if they allowed 12-year-olds, unless she was able to skate in the senior ranks. Media doesn't seem to realize that distinction. Anyway, good for Liu. And good that 12-year-olds are not allowed to compete in the Olympics!

The most we can hope is that Liu will continue to shine with her confidence, as well as with her technical and performance skills (and that she isn't over-hyped and burnt out before her career as a senior even gets underway).

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats Alysa Liu on the win in Junior despite illness during the week.

Junior Ladies recap article by Lynn Rutherford: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/01/03/264194056
Excerpts:

"I just find (Russian skaters) really motivating, because they are so young and have such good jumps, and I aspire to be like them," Liu said. "Evgenia Medvedeva is amazing. I really look up to her. Her jumps are really amazing and her skating skills are perfect. I want to be just like her when I'm older, or I can just try to be like her now."
Laura Lipetsky, who has coached Liu at Oakland Ice Center since she first stepped on the ice at five-and-a-half years of age, looks to Japan for inspiration.
"Looking at the Japanese girl, Rika Kihira, who has triple axel-triple toe, we definitely strive for that," Lipetsky said.

"The first thing I wanted to do was land my jumps and skate a clean program, but I also wanted to perform to the audience and make sure I use up the space as much as I can, because it's such a big arena," [silver medalist Pooja] Kalyan said. "I wanted to smile and skate with as much joy as possible, and bring that joy to the crowd."

Interesting tidbit from the San Jose Mercury News' Alysa Liu article (published before Nationals and posted earlier in this thread here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...l-make-you-a-star.102437/page-10#post-5222332 ) re. Alysa's longtime coach, Laura Lipetsky:

Alysa also has a strong female figure in Lipetsky, a former national-level skater who graduated from Cal [UC-Berkeley]. The two have been skating together since Alysa was 5½. ...<snip>
Lipetsky, as the daughter of Russian immigrants who had to scrape by to pay for a career that included coaching from the renowned Frank Carroll and 1976 Olympian Wendy Burge Dickinson, felt a strong connection to Alysa.
She remembered other coaches who would stop as soon as the 30-minute paid session ended. Carroll, on the other hand, created a nurturing environment for a kid who loved skating. She has tried to follow his example.

Here's a nice photo of Alysa and her coach: https://twitter.com/ElliottAlmond/status/948472078767833088