In the world of figure skating, where grace and athleticism converge, artistry extends beyond the skaters’ routines to the intricate designs of their costumes. We asked you to submit your most burning questions related to costume design, and we had renowned figure skating costume designer, Josiane Lamond of Lamond Signature answer them!  

Read on to explore the delicate craft of designing costumes that not only dazzle under the rink lights but also enhance the skaters’ performances and reflect their unique personalities. 

What’s the longest it’s taken you to finish a dress? 

The longest it has taken me to finish a dress is approximately 72 hours. This usually involves intricate designs, detailed embellishments, and custom fittings to ensure the perfect fit and aesthetic for the athlete. 

I want to try to make my own dress! Any advice? 

Absolutely! Start with a simple design and gradually move on to more complex ones as you gain confidence. Pay attention to source quality of materials and invest in good tools. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re part of the learning process. Also, watching tutorials and seeking feedback can be incredibly helpful. Don’t be like me 0 when I made my first dress at age 13, I cut it from the wrong side of the stretch… When I was done, I couldn’t fit into the dress. 

What material do you use most often? 

I most often use stretch fabrics like Lycra, and Spandex, and mesh, as they provide the flexibility and comfort needed for athletic performance. 

What materials do you prefer to use? And why? 

I prefer using materials like mesh, chiffon, and Italian tricot for their elegance and for a good result. Chiffon will enhance flow, which enhances the movement of the athlete on the ice. These materials also allow for beautiful draping and detailing. 

What inspired you? 

Beauty is everywhere. Nature is inspiring with its colour and shapes. Art is also a good source of inspiration. My inspiration came from my early passion for figure skating. The grace and beauty of the sport motivated me to create costumes that complement and enhance the performance. Fashion and haute couture projects are part of my vision to celebrate elegance and innovation, reflecting both the spirit of competition and the artistic beauty that characterizes figure skating. 

By combining high-quality materials, elegant cuts, and subtle details, my costumes aim to be a true ode to the beauty of movement and the magic of the ice. They highlight the fluidity and grace of the skaters while captivating the audience’s imagination from the first moments of the competition. Designed to offer comfort and freedom of movement while adding a touch of sophistication, my creations reflect my commitment to showcasing each athlete and honouring the art of figure skating. My passion for the art of couture, and my dedication to creating timeless pieces, drives me to bring this unique and enchanting vision to life. 

What inspires your costume designs? 

I draw inspiration from a variety of sources including nature, art, fashion, and the personalities of the athletes themselves. Each costume is a reflection of the athlete’s unique style and the story they want to tell through their performance and music. “Our costumes aren’t just costumes. They’re an extension of you, of your story, of your talent, of your passion, and of your power.” 

How do you design realistically make-able costumes? 

I focus on combining aesthetics with practicality. This involves choosing the right materials that allow for movement and comfort, and creating designs that are achievable within the constraints of time and resources. Also, with all the tricks in programs, we have to consider the weight of the costume and how warm it is. Every single detail is important. 

How do you match mesh to your skin tone? 

Matching mesh to skin tone requires careful selection and sometimes custom dyeing to ensure it blends seamlessly with the athlete’s skin. You could use a pantone chart (for example) and pick which colour would match the best. It’s important to test samples under different lighting conditions to get the perfect match. 

How much sparkle is too much sparkle? 

It’s never too much if it’s well done! There’s no set rule, but it’s important to balance sparkle with the overall design. Too much can overshadow the athlete’s performance, while too little might not catch the light as effectively. The key is to enhance, not overwhelm. 

How do you get inspired? 

I find inspiration through observing the world around me, listening to music, traveling the world, and staying updated with fashion trends. Sometimes, a simple walk in nature can spark a new idea. 

How much time goes into one costume? 

On average, a costume can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete. The following factors can affect delays: the level of skaters, the number of people involved in the project (e.g., coaches, choreographers, parents, federation, and judges), the complexity of the design, and the level of detail required. 

What’s the process of designing a costume for a specific piece of music? 

I start by listening to the music multiple times to understand its mood and the era. Then, I discuss with the athlete to get their vision and feelings about the piece. I also like to know if there is a storyline to the program. This collaboration helps in creating a design that visually represents the music. We do appointments live, or more and more through video conferences. 

Sometimes, I have the opportunity to discuss with the music composer to understand their inspiration and vision. During the creation process, to concretize my vision, I often go through a mood board phase where I gather images, fabrics, and colours. This helps me to gradually solidify my ideas. By combining these elements, I can create a costume that not only complements the music but also enhances the athlete’s performance, reflecting both the artistic beauty and competitive spirit of figure skating. 

What is the most time-consuming aspect of costume designing? 

The most time-consuming aspect is often the handwork involved in detailing, such as beading, embroidery, and applique. These elements require precision and can take a significant amount of time to perfect. 

What are your favourite, and least favourite, dress colours? 

My favourite dress colours are usually rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby as they look stunning on the ice. My least favourite are overly muted tones that don’t stand out well under stage lighting or white. 

For men, it is more and more open to have different costumes, but for men’s skaters, classic colors are still their favourite. So, for men’s skaters, I prefer not to go with fluorescent colors, pink, or light purple. 

What is your favourite part of making the costumes? 

My favourite part is seeing the finished costume come to life on the athlete. Watching them perform and knowing that my work has contributed to their confidence and presentation is incredibly rewarding. 

What did you study in school? 

I studied fashion design and textile arts, which provided me with a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of costume making. 

How do you decide what colours match a song? 

I consider the emotion and story behind the song. For example, a dramatic piece might call for deep, bold colours, while a light, whimsical piece might suit pastel shades. It’s about finding a visual harmony with the music. When the music has a lot of character, you could also play with contrast of color. 

What’s the biggest challenge you deal with? 

The biggest challenge is balancing creativity with practicality. Ensuring that the costume is not only beautiful but also functional and comfortable for the athlete can be a complex task. A good design is a design that will enhance the skating and match the skater’s physique and personality. 

Skate Canada is proud to welcome three new skaters to our national team for the 2024-2025 season. Learn more about how they got into skating and their accomplishments to date below, and then get ready to cheer on them, and the rest of our national team, throughout the season! 

 

ALEKSA RAKIC 

Burnaby, BC native Aleksa Rakic first got involved in figure skating in 2013 when, while taking CanSkate lessons, he would pass by the figure skating rink and was mesmerized and fascinated by all the jumping, spinning, and dancing to music. He asked his mom to put him in figure skating and to let him give it a shot. 

Six years later, he was crowned the Junior Canadian Champion at the 2019 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. That fall he also made his Junior Grand Prix debut at the Croatia Cup where he finished 12th and finished just off the podium in fourth at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland.  

Competing nationally as a senior starting in the 2019-2020 season, Rakic finished fifth at the 2020 Skate Canada Challenge. He finished 14th in 2021 and then mounted the podium at the 2022 Skate Canada Challenge, taking home a silver medal. He had a tougher season in 2023, finishing sixth at Skate Canada Challenge and 12th at nationals but went on to compete at his first ISU Junior World Championships where he finished 13th overall. Rakic came back strong in the 2024 season and captured silver medals at both Skate Canada Challenge and the Canadian Championships and was also the top Canadian at the Junior World Championships, setting new personal best scores for both his short and free programs to finish eighth overall. 

He made his Senior Grand Prix debut in the fall of 2023 at Skate Canada International where he finished 12th. He’ll be competing in the 2024 edition of Skate Canada International this fall in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

Coached by Joanne McLeod, 19-year-old Rakic skates out of the Champs International Skating Center of British Columbia. 

 

ANTHONY PARADIS 

Anthony Paradis of Boisbriand, Quebec started figure skating after watching it at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games and being so impressed by the sport. Crowned the Junior Canadian Champion at the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, and a bronze medallist in 2023, Paradis moved up to the senior ranks for the 2023-2024 season and immediately made an impact, taking home a bronze medal from the 2024 Canadian Championships, and a fourth place at Skate Canada Challenge.  

He made his Junior Grand Prix debut at the 2022 Baltic Cup where he finished 10th and finished 13th at the 2023 Junior Grand prix in Osaka, Japan. At the 2024 ISU World Junior Championships he set new personal best scores in both of his programs to finish 15th overall. 

A very artistic skater, Paradis, 17, plays an active role in choosing the music and costume for his programs that he also helps to choreograph. He is coached by Yvan Desjardins and Violaine Émard out of the Patinage Miles-Îles Club in Quebec. 

 

HETTY SHI 

Hetty Shi first got involved in figure skating when she was six years old and her dad told her that she should learn figure skating for birthday parties since they lived in the cold state of Michigan, USA. “The moment I stepped on the ice, I realized I never wanted to get off and would beg my parents to go skating every day,” says Shi. “That’s how I realized I wanted to pursue figure skating.” 

Crowned the Novice National Champion at the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, and the Junior National Champion in 2023, 16-year-old Shi made the move to the senior ranks for the 2023-2024 season and once again climbed onto the podium at the Canadian Championships, taking home the bronze medal. 

Shi, who calls Northville, Michigan, USA home, made her Junior Grand Prix debut in the fall of 2022 and finished 13th at the Baltic Cup. In 2023 she competed at the Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok, Thailand and finished seventh after setting new personal best scores for both of her programs. 

Coached by Rafael Arutyunyan and Brian Orser, Shi trains out of the Canadian Ice Academy in Mississauga, Ontario. 

Adapted from an article by Eve Cable for The Eastern Door.

The sound of 62 members of the Kahnawake Figure Skating Club (KFSC) gasping as world champion skaters backflipped on the ice at the Bell Centre filled local coach Bethany Douglas with pride as she reflected on the efforts being made to make her sport more accessible.

“It’s really meaningful and kind of emotional to see. We grew up with our skating club, and now we’re teaching the next generation,” said Douglas, who said skaters from ages three to 17 are involved with the club. “This is something skaters got to experience that they’d never seen before. And hopefully events like this will keep encouraging new skaters. The future is very bright.”

Located just outside of Montreal, the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory is a First Nations reserve of the Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke. The KFSC and other members of the Kahnawake community were invited to attend the International Skating Union (ISU) 2024 World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal in March 2024 as part of Skate Canada’s efforts to advance truth and reconciliation through sport.

In the three months leading up to the World Championships, Skate Canada worked to establish a meaningful relationship with the Kahnawake community. This included visiting the reservation to perform a tobacco offering – a traditional protocol when making an initial request in working with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper. Konwatsitsawi Meloche, an Elder, said that Skate Canada impressed her more than any other group she’s worked with in the past in terms of the organization’s efforts to prioritize the community.

“They were really, really impressive. I was floored at every level,” said Meloche. “It was so well done; it was a powerful presentation of inclusion and acceptance of the First Peoples of the land. It was more than acknowledging. It was about respect.”

Skate Canada initially engaged Meloche to perform the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen – the opening address for the World Championships which was delivered in Mohawk and displayed on the jumbotron in the Bell Centre at the start of each day of the event. However, Meloche encouraged Skate Canada and the ISU to go further and offer workshops for coaches and officials participating in the event. Met with enthusiasm by both organizations, Meloche successfully delivered two 90-minute Indigenous Awareness Training sessions for more than 50 attendees.

“They were fascinated, and I challenged them that if they see potential in a non-Native, particularly a white skater, to find an Indigenous skater, an Inuit skater, a Black skater, to begin to take their perspectives and see how their own populations are very well supported,” said Meloche.  “You’ll often target, and support, and elevate your own populations. So, every time you see that promising skater, I want them to look for Indigenous skaters, to go on the reserves, to go into Black communities, and find our people that also have promise.”

Although an important milestone in Skate Canada’s journey towards truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, our efforts do not end with the World Championships and the Kahnawake community. As an orgnization, we are committed to continuing the conversation and creating more opportunities to advance inclusion and equity in figure skating in Canada.

“The work doesn’t stop. It’s continuous education that goes beyond working with the community. We need to make sure our own members are educated,” said Patricia Ann Que, Project Manager of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility at Skate Canada. “We want to make sure that if there’s a chance to engage with Indigenous communities, we really make that happen.”

Removing barriers to sport can help level the playing field for underrepresented groups, providing equal opportunity for athletes of all races, ages, genders, and abilities to realize their goals both on and off the ice. As the Kahnawake Figure Skating Club emphasized, events like the World Championships can help the next generation of skaters see that there’s a place for them in the figure skating world.

“I’m glad Skate Canada reached out because hopefully going forward we’ll have more opportunities like this. Without it, our skaters would probably never get to go and see a competition,” Douglas said. “It opens doors for a lot of our older skaters to be able to see what comes next and what they could pursue. It inspired them.”

To learn more about the Skate Canada’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility initiatives and how we are working to make Skating for Everyone, please click here.

When you think about famous names in Canadian figure skating history, Elizabeth Manley is sure to come to mind. After a historic silver medal win at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Manley instantly became a household name in sport.

Almost 36 years later, Manley returned to Canada Olympic Park in Calgary in a new role – Athlete Ambassador for the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. As if it was by fate, the event coincided with the dates of her ‘88 Olympics anniversary. We sat down with Manley to learn more about her experience working Special Olympics Canada and the inspirational athletes she’s met along the way.

“I am proud to say I am part of the Special Olympics,” said Manley. At the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games this February, Manley conducted coaching clinics and skating workshops for the athletes competing in the event. Although she was there to teach the Special Olympians skills such as stroking, jumping, and spins, it was the athletes themselves who taught Manley valuable lessons. “My greatest learning is that they are just like us,” said Manley of the figure skaters. “You might think you need to adapt [your approach to coaching], but I didn’t feel that.”

At the event, Manley was particularly moved by one young skater named Jack. As a nonverbal athlete, Manley had concerns about she and Jack would communicate. To Manley’s surprise, it was not an issue for Jack. “His mind is so sharp,” Manley recounts, “he would just nod and skate off after I gave him directions. He took it all in and I never needed to change or adapt my approach for him.” Manley learned that working with Special Olympians is the same as working with other high-performance athletes. They are motivated, work hard at their craft, and are excited to have the opportunity to compete. “When you look at these Special Olympians, they are all champions who are being fulfilled by something they love,” said Manley.

Overall, the experience served as an important reminder on the value of representation in sport. Manley shared that she could relate to the stigma that some of the athletes face due to their disabilities. As a skater who suffered from depression before mental health was part of mainstream discourse, people also often looked at her differently. That’s why the work of Special Olympics Canada is so important – the Games provide athletes the opportunity to shine, to pursue excellence, and the visibility to show others that they too can realize their dreams. By the end of the Games, Manley left the event feeling “absolutely inspired.”

She also emphasized that opportunity is a crucial ingredient in increasing representation and fostering greater inclusivity in sport. “There are not enough events,” said Manley. “These athletes need more opportunities to perform and to be highlighted. The more events and the more people witnessing them will make the Special Olympics even bigger and keep athletes involved in sport longer. I believe in my heart we will get there.” So, the next time you see an event in your area, we encourage you to attend and cheer on the athletes. “If you want a day of just pure enjoyment and inspiration, come out and see an event because these athletes will give it to you.”

________

*Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport.

Canada is known for many things, such as ice hockey, maple syrup, and cold winters. After the 2023/2024 skating season, Canada should also be known for the world-class talent of our synchronized skaters. Keep reading to see some of the most memorable synchro moments from last year. 

Photo Credit: International Skating Union

Les Suprêmes Make History at World Championships 

Les Suprêmes soared to unprecedented heights this season, becoming the first team in synchronized skating history to win three consecutive World Championship titles! The Quebec-based team dominated the competition at the 2024 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Croatia, setting all new season’s best scores to finish first in both the short program and free skate.

 

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Les Suprêmes Junior Claim their First World Title 

The undisputed talent of Les Supremes also extends to their junior team, who topped the podium at the 2024 ISU World Junior Synchornized Skating Championships in Switzerland. Les Supremes Junior achieved a new season’s best total score of 205.14, skating their way to the gold medal and to capturing their first World title. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic season for the team who earned a gold medal at the Challenger Series Marie Lundmark Trophy, a bronze at the PGE Hevelius Cup, and gold at the 2024 Canadian National Championships. 

Synchro Celebrated at World’s Opening Ceremony 

Fans from across the globe were treated to a spectacular display of synchronized skating at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which took place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que. To officially kick off the festivities, Nova Senior and Les Suprêmes performed a dazzling routine together – complete with light up costumes – at the Opening Ceremony that paid tribute to Canada’s four seasons.  

Our junior synchro teams sweep the podium at the Steel City Trophy 👊

C’est un podium 100% 🇨🇦 au Trophée Steel Trophy!

Ice Ignite – 🥇
Golding Ice – 🥈
Gold Ice – 🥉 pic.twitter.com/IEjrPkck1E

— Skate Canada / Patinage Canada (@SkateCanada) March 2, 2024

Canadian Podium Sweep at 2024 Steel City Trophy 

They came, they skated, they conquered all three steps of the podium! Canada’s incredible roster of synchronized skating talent was on full display at the 2024 Steel City Trophy in the United Kingdom, with Canadian teams sweeping the podium to complete one of the rarest triples of all: gold, silver, and bronze. Ice Ignite of Ontario, Golding Ice of Quebec, and Gold Ice of Ontario claimed first, second and third place respectively.  

First Elite 12 Champions Crowned at Skate Canada Cup 

NEXXICE etched their name in skating history this season, becoming the first senior elite 12 champions of Canada at the 2024 Skate Canada Cup. A new addition to the competition this year, elite 12 is a recently developed category that consists of 12 skaters as compared to 16 skaters in a typical senior synchronized skating division. The Ontario team soared high above the competition, claiming the top spot by a near 15-point lead.