Share your thoughts on what went down in this challenge here!

I posted this on another thread during the last week, but thought it was worth repeating. I am curious if the designs will also be judged by the "standards". Sasha being selected for the Olympic Figure Skating Team happened after the show taping, but it would interesting to see what she wears to the Olympics (but guess that also depends on what we see tonight:-)

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According to the United States Figure Skating Association Handbook, clothing for skating competitions "must be modest, dignified, not garish or theatrical in design...." Bare midriffs or too many beads, sequins or feathers are a no-no. Men must always wear full-length trousers and ladies must have skirts and pants covering the hips and posterior, according to the rule book.


Ice Skating Fashion Trivia

Ice skating’s history is as rich and colorful as it’s choice of clothing has been. In the very early years, figure skaters such as Madge Syers simply competed in her Victorian era dress. It was the early 1900’s. It wasn’t until 1924 when Sonje Henie shook up the skating fashion scene by competing in shorter skirts which were the style for girls her age. However it gave her a definite advantage for jumping and spinning without the restraints of the longer dresses. A true trend setter, Henie had her own Norwegian dress makers who color matched and coordinated her outfits, bloomers and all. Cecilia Colledge of Great Britain remarked that "Sonje never came on in the same outfit twice." After Henie, ladies of all ages began wearing shorter skirts.

Fabrics used by the early skaters: Although many believe wool, (which was used in most practice wear), actually lovely silks and velvets in all sorts of beautiful colors were used just as they are today. Skaters who practiced outdoors on natural ice needed the warmth of wool and heavier fabrics. Fur trim was often added for not only esthetic reasons but for staying warm. Competitions were often held outdoors so a fur jacket was for warming up but for the events, out came the chiffon and silk materials.


Since the 1970’s there’s been a wide variety of stretchy materials which lend themselves to the athletic side of ice skating. For example, while Lycra and Spandex once ruled, Sueded Supplex or SilkSkyn represents the new generation skating fabrics. It is warmer and softer than the Lycra of old while offering a less shiny, matte finish to the garment. Many practice coordinates such as skirts and jackets are made of Supplex, replacing the scratchy woolen wear of yesteryear.


Competition: Michelle Kwan has one of the top haute couture designers, Vera Wang, making her dresses. They are often made of silk with crystals added for sparkling decoration. One of her dresses can cost up to $40,000!

In contrast, Ann Patrice McDonough’s dresses are handmade by her mother. So were Peggy Fleming’s competition dresses.

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Sasha Cohen, Kimmie Meissner, Michelle Kwan Nominated To 2006 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team - Jan 14, 2006


St. Louis -- The U.S. Figure Skating International Committee announced today the nomination of Sasha Cohen, Kimmie Meissner and Michelle Kwan to the 2006 United States Olympic Team, pending USOC approval. Cohen and Meissner placed first and second at the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Mo., respectively.
“The International Committee considered all of the relevant information and picked the best possible U.S. Olympic Team to represent the United States in Torino,” International Committee Chair Bob Horen said. “We believe that Sasha, Kimmie and Michelle will compete in a manner that will make our country proud.”

Cohen won her first U.S. title at the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Saturday night.

“I made it to the end and stayed on my feet,” Cohen said after getting off the ice. “It wasn't perfect, but it was good. After I started getting into it I started to enjoy it.”

Remind me as I am not an avid skating fan - is Sasha Cohen retired from competitive skating, or is she up to compete in the winter Olympics?

Also, who do you anticipate to design both a beautiful and a functional skating dress? Daniel V. seems to blend those two elements well.