What should be done about Maos' costumes?

I was exchanging opinions on Maos' costumes with alyssa in the 'Figure Skating Montages'(Music cover montage(?) I've just finished ) thread, and although I imagine there must have been countless threads on this topic eversince this forum started, it may be interesting to know what everyone's been thinking about it recently.

IMHO, Mao needs to find a real good designer soon, once and for all!

The only costumes I've truely liked were the pink neck-hanging one for the Chopin pro, the one she usually wore in the 'Claire de Lune' pro, and the red and black one for last seasons' tango EX pro.....the others are mostly okay, but they usually fit only the music, not Mao herself (esp the ones after she joined Tat).

Some of my suggestions for Mao concerning costumes would be.....

1. Not too much decorations on the upper body, for they'd cover up her beautiful silhouette.
(i.e. this seasons' GP series version SP& FP costumes.)

2. Not too much avant-garde mode, as it'll catch viewers' eyes more than her skating.
(i.e. this seasons' Japan Open costume, though basically I quite liked it. This seasons' EX pro costume applies also to this a bit. Though I like it too, it was in a sense...'shocking' at first.)

3. Let's say good-bye to the chokers!
(i.e. almost everything for the past few years. I basically think they look nice on her, but it's like she always has something around her neck thesedays, a change would be refreshing)

4. Not too much lace, please!
(i.e. SP costume she wore in Vancouver. Have to admit, I hated that! The volume of the velvet and lightness of the laces were in terrible balance, the pinkish color was cheap, she looked like a saloon waitress in some western movie... Plus, it made me feel itchy)

5. A bit more modernism might be nice.
(i.e. All her 'Masquerade Waltz' costumes. Just because she's skating to classical music, her costumes do not need to be too classic. I would prefer her costumes to express Maos' understanding of the music she uses. From that point of view, I think her red & black 'Bells...' costume was pretty good, though I didn't like it at first because of the volume around her shoulders.....was sure relieved when they got rid of all that!)

5. Never ever hire the designer who created Mikis' FP costumes for this season, lol!
(Okay, I liked the brownish one she wore in the beginning of the season, but the rest was just too literal in detail, as if she were attending a costume party)

When I consider only the costumes, I have no choice but to say, Yuna has a much better designer. Of course I do think most of Maos' costumes for the past 2 seasons were probably based on Tats' tastes rather than Maos'. But she's been focusing all her life mainly on skating, that Mao wasn't as privelidged as other girls around the same age, to widen her knowledge and favors in fashion, IMO. She needs a good specialist to advise her well. I think maybe, whoever designing Daisukes' costumes this season might be a good candidate. I simply love all his costumes for this season (except the one he wore in Vancouver FP )!

Any suggestions, guys & gals?

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

1. Not too much decorations on the upper body, for they'd cover up her beautiful silhouette.
(i.e. this seasons' GP series version SP& FP costumes.)

Exactly. I like the details of her red and black FS dress, but red in the upper body makes her shoulders look large. That would have been much better in dark blue, for ex. Those flowers on her chest are also weird. I also don't like that juncture between the upper part and the skirt, I don't know exactly how to explain it, but I prefer straight dresses, like her Claire de Lune light blue one. And no more chokers, please!

Quote :

4. Not too much lace, please!
(i.e. SP costume she wore in Vancouver. Have to admit, I hated that! The volume of the velvet and lightness of the laces were in terrible balance, the pinkish color was cheap, she looked like a saloon waitress in some western movie... Plus, it made me feel itchy)

I think a more "modern" look is good for Mao. She looks really nice in simpler designs (her Nocturne dress ). I also think white/light pink and blue are great colors on Mao. I think these colors hightlight the airy and light quality of her skating better than darker colors such as red and black.

My fave ones:
http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/ISU+NHK+Trophy+Figure+Skating+Day+1+9wgsKHTGDt4l.jpg
http://maoo.sssport.net/img2.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/general/figure_photo/2009/02/06/Images/01720248.jpg (I wish she had used something similiar for Masquerade SP)

This has a nice design, but the colors are not good:
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_239/1203423216DuagWa.jpg

The gala dresses are pretty good too, especially Caprice and Por una cabeza.

alyssa, you're really right about the juncture part. They should've made the red fading into the black. I prefer straight simple dresses on Mao, too. I mean, she is one of the most gifted in physical beauty amongst the other female skaters, she doesn't need much to enhance her appearence.

aoi88, modern and simple looks nicer on Mao as you say. Designs in classic womens dresses tend to hide womens' body-lines, as in those days, many probably thought it was morally wrong to do otherwise. And I agree soft colors fit Mao more. I think she could try some light pruple or soft brown like some of Mais' costumes, too. Mais' costumes are always great!

I think Mao would look good in any color, as long as the colors' depth doesn't go too far. However, I personally hope she never wears green. Deep green, very light green, may work. But not basic plain green. Only very few women can look nice in plain green, IMO. And of course, I am not one of them!

Also, yellow is another color I'd prefer Mao to avoid. Even Korpi, as beautiful as she is, doesn't look so nice in yellow.

And does anyone remember the soft purple costume Mao borrowed from Midori Ito and wore at juniors (http://img.f.hatena.ne.jp/images/fotolife/c/cantake/20050331/20050331204859.jpg)? I didn't think the shape of that costume was all that good, but the colors blended nicely and looked great on Mao. It was quite a mature blend of colors, I think Mao would look great now more than then with those types of colors, too.

I have not been happy with most of Mao's dress in the last two seasons, except I did LOVE Clair de Lune. I have also liked her two exhibition dresses, and her black and blue Bells dress (they look like they all came from the same designer perhaps). Her black Masquerade dress was ok, but I haven't liked any of her other Masquerade dresses at all. Her black and red Bells dress is the worst one she's ever had IMO.

I agree that Mao looks great in light colors, but I think she also looks good in black (who doesn't?), and pretty much any color of blue - like So Deep Is the Night. I really hope Mao stays away from lace, and chockers in the future, and ESPECIALLY RUFFLES!

As far as simple verses extravagant, I like both styles. More simple dresses like Yuna are nice, but I like ones like Miki wears too. Actually, I know a lot of people don't like Miki's dresses, cause they think they're too over the top, but I personally LOVE them! I don't think it overshadows her skating or anything, I just think they add something to her performance. I think Mao could really go either way - simple or extravagant.

As far as modern verses classic, again, I think Mao could go either way. Just as long as if she goes classic, it doesn't look outdated.

I totally agree that Mao needs help with the costumes!

My absolute favorite dress for Mao is the one she borrowed from Mai for 2007 Nationals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IqKVleUErI

I think white/silver is definitely a great color for Mao. Although I can understand the dislike of the collars, I think it looks fine here (since the rest of the costume looks sleeveless).

It's beautiful, elegant, interesting and unique.
Mao, whoever made this dress--make them make ALL your costumes!

Of course, you know that I would looove to see Mao dressed like a swan with the white headdress!
http://www.abt.org/gallery/detail1.asp?Image_ID=741

Batsuchan wrote:

I totally agree that Mao needs help with the costumes!

My absolute favorite dress for Mao is the one she borrowed from Mai for 2007 Nationals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IqKVleUErI

I think white/silver is definitely a great color for Mao. Although I can understand the dislike of the collars, I think it looks fine here (since the rest of the costume looks sleeveless).

It's beautiful, elegant, interesting and unique.
Mao, whoever made this dress--make them make ALL your costumes!

Of course, you know that I would looove to see Mao dressed like a swan with the white headdress!
http://www.abt.org/gallery/detail1.asp?Image_ID=741

ITA, I had forgotten about that one! To be honest I've always liked Mais' costumes more than Maos'. I think in earlier years they had the same designer, maybe. If so, I think in those days the designer was presenting Mai in mature design, and something cuter for Mao. But Maos' grown to be as beautiful as Mai, so the same designer might be suitable to make the kind of dresses she did for Mai, now for Mao.

And I think you're right about the chokers being nice with sleeveless dresses. I used to love Maos' chokers when she was younger. The recent frilly ones are those which I don't like. Long sleeves are okay too, as long as they don't seem too heavy like her 'Masuquerade' ones. The 'Clair de Lune' dress was long sleeved but gave a soft fragile impression, it worked on Mao great!

Btw, I especially loved Mais' brown dress:
http://maorah.up.seesaa.net/image/KNLB2050.jpg

Not many skaters dress in brown, but Mai looked so mature and elegant in it. Well, but Mai pretty much looks great in anything cause she's always been really fab. The same for Mao, of course. I think that's why I've been able to tolerate even some of her worst costumes, lol!

Talking about costume, I usually like all of Kira Korpi's costumes. I wonder who her costume designer is. They're very simple and elegant. It should be good on Mao too.

My favorite dresses from Mao are all from the 2007-2008 season

I really this chalky blue one because of the color and design! The color is so light and soft and the cut is really slimming without being "shapeless" xD

I also like this metallic purple one Batsuchan mentioned! It's so pretty and the reflective quality of some parts is so gorgeous. I love how it uses a lot of neon colors in the skirt without it being overpowering.

Also this white, gray and black one alyssa mentioned is one of my favorites. I actually really like the color I think it's so simple but so unique at the same time. Not to mention the cut really compliments Mao's body so much. I like how dresses look on Mao when the skirt isn't cut off from the top by a line of lace or fabric, where they are just like one peice, like...well...a dress xD

Not that I hate Mao's dresses now...but I would be so happy if she went back to the designer from this season (or borrowing some of Mai's). They seem to really understand what looks good on her.

My favorite Mao's dress as well as my favorite program is this dress from ladies in lavender https://2img.net/h/i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee266/ask130/Mao%20Asada/WCIMG_1724.jpg and also this Mai's dress https://2img.net/h/i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee266/ask130/Mao%20Asada/natex5.jpg I was shocked how beautiful looked Mao's pink masquerade dress in live and very so so at photos.

Well, it looks like we all have the same opinion! Mao is such a gorgeous woman and the costumes referenced here really highlight her beauty.

I also wonder how some Kwan-esque dresses would look on Mao. They were all very simple, but with some minor embellishing I think they could suit Mao very well (one of my favorites was this one from the 2002 Olympics:
http://actresses.pick2web.com/pics/380436/michellekwan.jpg
I think deep purple and silver/gold would look stunning on Mao! )

I hesitate a bit to totally recommend them, however, because Vera Wang was the designer. She did absolutely wonderful costumes for Kwan, but her latest work (snakes all over Evan ) has been less than stellar.

I have a feeling that with her softer music next year, we'll go back to seeing pretty costumes from Mao again.

For my taste Sasha Cohen always had the best costumes. As far as I know many of them she designed by herself. May be she can make something for Mao?

polosatik wrote:

For my taste Sasha Cohen always had the best costumes. As far as I know many of them she designed by herself. May be she can make something for Mao?

I forgot about Sasha! I loved both of her Romeo and Juliet dresses.

Liffey wrote:

polosatik wrote:

For my taste Sasha Cohen always had the best costumes. As far as I know many of them she designed by herself. May be she can make something for Mao?

I forgot about Sasha! I loved both of her Romeo and Juliet dresses.

Yes, they are gorgeous. I tried to choose which I like the most but it's impossible. Also her gray dress for Moonlight Sonata.

Sasha's LP dress was indeed gorgeous. I loved it!

I had completely forgotten about the lavender dress from 2007 nationals. It's gorgeous. Actually, I always wondered why she didn't keep it for Worlds. I didn't know she had borrowed it from Mai.

I usually try to be tolerant with Mao's costumes, but I hate the red and black dress for Bells. I really hope she'll use a different dress for Worlds.

I love the pink dress for Nocturne and the blue dress for So deep is the night. I guess simple is often the best.
But I love some of Mao's more recent, detailed costumes, the pink and black dress for Caprices, and the blue Bells dress she used at Japan Open (I hope she'll wear it again).

Other costumes I love include the first two dresses she used for Fantasia (the blue one and the white one she borrowed from Mai), the white one for Fantaisie impromptue, the blue Clair de lune dress she wore at 4cc, and that cute dress for Sing, sing, sing.
I also loved her blue Jasmine costume (and I usually hate pants on female figure skaters), I think she looked more beautiful than ever during that performance. But that costume wouldn't be practical for a real program.

I agree that Mai has wonderful fashion sense, she always has the most beautiful costumes and she looks fabulous off the ice too. I love the Fantasia dress and the purpule Nutcracker dress Mao borrowed from her. Maybe Mai can become the president of Mao's fashion team lol.

I think Mao tends to look good in pink, blue and white. She also looks nice in black, and in cheerful colors like orange (I'm thinking about her orange dress in Dream girls). Purple would be nice too.

BUT, the most important thing is for Mao to wears something SHE likes, something she feels comfortable and confident wearing. (I know, it's a little hypocritical coming from someone who just spent some time ranting about Mao's dresses)

polosatik wrote:

Liffey wrote:

polosatik wrote:

For my taste Sasha Cohen always had the best costumes. As far as I know many of them she designed by herself. May be she can make something for Mao?

I forgot about Sasha! I loved both of her Romeo and Juliet dresses.

Yes, they are gorgeous. I tried to choose which I like the most but it's impossible. Also her gray dress for Moonlight Sonata.

I love Sasha's costumes too! Her dresses are always suited to the music she's skating to, and the colour combinations are beautiful.

My favourite Sasha dresses:
Grey Moonlight Sonata dress she wore at Nationals
Yellow and black Malaguena dress
The deep red dress she wore for Romeo and Juliet at the Olympics.

Actually, I love all of Sasha's dresses .

Now, about Mao's costumes.

Mao has beautiful skin, so she can make any costume look nice. I really liked her in the pink Masquerade costume (the one she's been wearing all season). It's frilly and lacy, yes, but I think the colour suits her very well.

A sleeveless dress in a very pale shade of blue, pink or white for Mao would be nice.

I really want to see a collaboration between Sasha and Mao costume-wise!

Sasha does have gorgeous costumes. I always loved her dresses, I had no idea she designed them herself. She has very good taste and most of all she knows what kind of dress look best on her.

I would definitely like to see Mao wear something sleeveless next season. In recent years she's been very covered, always wearing long sleeves, but a little variety would be nice.

I think Asada should go back to the beautiful, feminine dresses she wore in earlier seasons, preferably such that do not emphasize her shoulders because they are in proportion to her body a little bit wide on the frame (sp?). I'm not really partial to any color because she has looked beautiful in all shades I've seen her in (at least they've done that part well). But I desperately want her to omit any Russian-styled over-dramatic costumes for next season, like for example the Bells costume. It was just too much... It made the mood for the long program seem even gloomier than possible.

Mao seriously needs to set up a date with Vera Wang. Or with Kim Yu-na's Canadian designer..

Tania Bass also makes gorgeous costumes.



Okami's are just stunning!

In my personal opinion whoever makes Kanako's costumes does a completely awesome job.
If i were Mao i would look into that

Mao's photos in Vogue Japan makes me think that she should just get a fashion designer to make all her costumes from now on (e.g. maochang's suggestion of Vera Wang)

Designers are versatile. Some of the pieces seen on runways are already quite ostentatious, and I think it would be quite easy to translate that into an ice-skating costume. Just because an ice-skating costume should convey the theme behind the program doesn't mean the statement has to be so obvious.

I want to see Mao skate in a dress that looks like something she would wear to a dance, rather than something that is clearly a costume.

mao's dresses should be simple that's the key word, mao is beautiful and elegant, and the best way to show that is to wear simple dresses like the one she wore when she performed her ex ballade, it's was simple and beautiful and wasn't distracting!

ohh and one importent thing I really hope mao's new costumes are sleveless, where she isn't completely covered...