Finding the Beauty in Olympic Skating Style
Madonna Tribute Highlights Milan Cortina Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina witnessed a fusion of fashion and athleticism, particularly in the realm of figure skating, where costume design plays a pivotal role in the overall performance. This year, renowned designer Lisa McKinnon made a significant impact as her creations adorned numerous Olympic-level skaters, solidifying her reputation in the sport.
McKinnon, a Los Angeles-based designer and former competitive skater, transitioned from the ice to the world of fashion. Her designs have become synonymous with the visual identity of American women’s skating, dressing notable athletes like Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito. As skating costumes have evolved to hold equal importance alongside choreography and music, McKinnon’s work exemplifies this shift.
Every piece begins with a thorough understanding of the accompanying music. McKinnon immerses herself in the rhythm and mood before sketching, ensuring that her designs not only enhance movement but also align with the narrative of the performance. She emphasizes that the most effective costumes feel natural and support the skater’s storytelling.
Craftsmanship Under Pressure
Creating costumes for figure skating presents unique challenges that diverge from traditional fashion design. Athletes require outfits that can endure rapid movements, intricate spins, and hard landings. This demands meticulous attention to every seam and embellishment, all while adhering to strict International Skating Union guidelines regarding safety and modesty.
In her approach, McKinnon avoids sheer fabrics and meticulously secures all decorative elements, understanding that even a minor mishap could lead to penalties or accidents during competition. This commitment to detail was underscored during the lead-up to the 2026 Games when shipping delays almost prevented ice dancers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko from receiving their costumes. Fortunately, the package arrived just in time, emphasizing the fragile nature of Olympic preparations and the vital trust skaters place in their designers.
What began with custom designs for local athletes has expanded into a thriving business, with McKinnon now balancing the demands of design, production, fittings, and logistics for elite competitors domestically and internationally.
Costumes as Catalysts for Expression
Figure skating judges evaluate performances based on technical skills and artistic expression. Costumes play an essential role in bridging these two aspects. McKinnon’s designs consider both movement and aesthetic, utilizing fabrics that stretch while retaining their shape, and colors that echo the performance’s mood and theme. A well-crafted costume can make a performance memorable, resonating with audiences long after the scores are announced.
For many skaters, their attire becomes integral to their identity, allowing them to connect with fans on a visual level. McKinnon’s designs facilitate this relationship by reinforcing the emotional undertones of each skater’s story.
Designer’s Growing Influence
McKinnon’s participation in the Milan Cortina Olympics not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the profound influence that a designer can wield in figure skating. Unlike fashion designers in other domains who often operate in controlled environments, those in figure skating face the dual challenges of physical demand and public scrutiny, where every detail must fulfill a purpose.
Over the years, McKinnon has cultivated a reputation for reliable and innovative designs, earning trust from the athletes who rely on her to enhance their performances. Her contributions at the Milan Cortina Games showcased how a designer’s vision can elevate a skater’s routine into a holistic performance.
In the world of figure skating, success is determined by more than just technical prowess; it encompasses preparation, storytelling, and presentation. Through her work, McKinnon highlights the growing significance of costume design in shaping the sport, demonstrating that the right outfit not only enhances a performance but also defines how athletes and their moments will be remembered throughout Olympic history.
