At the end of the year, I received a message from a family I have known for nearly seven years.
I have created several figure skating costumes for their son, and I’ve also helped his mother with her personal wardrobe from time to time. They are a family I hold very dear.
Because of the mother’s work, she and her son have spent long periods living apart.
This upcoming competition was something they were looking forward to — a rare chance to spend the New Year holidays together and enjoy the event as a family.
The last time I made a skating costume for him was about three or four years ago.
Since then, injuries and timing made it difficult for him to compete, and naturally, costume-making had been on pause as well.
His mother brought the old costume with the idea that “maybe we can adjust the hem and make it work again.”
But then—
When I saw him again after so long, he was right in the middle of a major growth spurt.
Taller, broader, and carrying the early signs of a young man, while still holding traces of the sweet boy I remembered.
We started by trying on the pants… and they didn’t go past his thighs.
Both his mother and I couldn’t help but laugh at how much he had grown.
Next, he tried on the top — also completely outgrown.
His shoulders and chest had developed far beyond the original measurements.
“What should we do…”
his mother murmured.
And so began a quiet, urgent figure skating costume project during the calm of the New Year holidays —
a true rush-order skating costume request.
The Start of a “Miracle Piece”
he fabric for the new top was something his mother had brought with her.
She had originally planned to turn it into a T-shirt sometime last summer and had kept it on hand ever since.
Finding new fabric at the end of the year is extremely difficult,
and this time, they weren’t looking for gradient dyeing or special processing.
“Do you think you could make something with this fabric?”
she asked.
With that one sentence, I restructured the entire design.
Using the requested “half-body cowl drape” as the main concept,
I tailored the costume to make the most of the fabric’s color and texture.
In the end, it’s no exaggeration to say that this fabric is the reason this costume came to life.
The pants and gloves were made from materials in my studio’s stock.
Though the design is simple, each piece was measured and fitted precisely to his current body.
And then — the costume was completed.
The competition was only two days away.
I truly hope this costume supports him in delivering a performance that meets his family’s hopes.
If You’re Considering a Custom Figure Skating Costume
If this story made you think, “I’d like to talk to him” or “I want to consult about a costume,”
please feel free to reach out.
I receive many inquiries from families ordering their first skating costume,
as well as those who need a short-deadline or rush-order costume.
My studio offers custom costume design, personal fashion consulting,
and styling support for advertising and creative projects.
I also provide lifestyle and fashion guidance for the 40s–50s generation,
and running-focused styling proposals.
If any of these interest you, please contact me via LINE below.
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