Behind the Scenes: Crafting Olympic Figure Skating Costumes

Los Angeles designer Lisa McKinnon, who began her journey in figure skating at age four, has made a name for herself by designing costumes for U.S. Olympic skaters like Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito for the upcoming 2026 Winter Games in Italy. Her design process is meticulous, adhering to the International Skating Union's regulations, ensuring that no costume elements can fall onto the ice during performances. New designer Naomi Brunson, inspired by McKinnon's work, is also entering the field, dedicating significant time to research and creation, including hand-placing over 120,000 rhinestones last year. The artistry and collaboration involved in costume design significantly enhance the skaters' performances and visual appeal on the ice.

Key Details: • McKinnon designed costumes for Olympic skaters for the 2026 Games in Italy. • Costume design must comply with International Skating Union regulations. • Brunson spends 10 hours on research and 10-40 hours on costume construction. • Over 120,000 rhinestones were hand-placed by Brunson last year.