Ever since I began creating figure skating costumes for children, one question has followed me everywhere:
How should I price my work?
Should I follow the market average?
Should I adjust the price based on each client’s situation?
Or should I set a price that reflects the years of skill and experience behind my work?
I still struggle with this.
But there is one thing I know for certain:
The value of the techniques I’ve built over the years—and the meaning of creating a truly one‑of‑a‑kind costume—cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Skill Carries Time Within It
When I create a costume, the value is not only in the hours spent sewing.
It’s also in the time spent thinking:
- How can this child move most beautifully on the ice?
- Which colors will bring out their expression?
- How much decoration is necessary, and where should I hold back?
- What role will this costume play in this child’s life and performance?
This “thinking time” is part of the work.
Part of the art.
I don’t put my emotions directly into the price.
But my emotions inevitably seep into the costume itself—and I believe they should.
Even If It Seems Old‑Fashioned, There Are Values Worth Protecting
We live in a time when efficiency and low cost are often prioritized.
Hand‑crafted, time‑intensive work can seem outdated or impractical.
Some may say it’s “going against the times.”
But I’m okay with that.
Because costume‑making is not just a job.
It is:
- A craft to be passed down
- A sense of beauty to be preserved
- A way to support a young skater’s artistic expression
Figure skating is a sport, yes.
But to me, it is also a complete art form.
When a skater becomes one with their costume,
their world appears on the ice.
That moment is why I hold a needle in my hand.
To the Clients Who Understand This — Thank You
I am deeply grateful for the clients who understand the meaning behind my work.
“This costume could only be made by you.”
“Thank you for thinking so deeply about my child.”
Words like these remind me why I continue.
They remind me that my work is not simply “making a costume,”
but shaping a small part of a young skater’s life.
Pricing Is Not Outside the Work — It Is Part of It
A price is not just a number.
It is a boundary that protects the meaning of the work.
Lowering the price doesn’t make the costume better.
Raising it doesn’t automatically create value.
What matters is this:
Treating the craft, the time, and the meaning with honesty.
I will continue to struggle with pricing.
But I will also continue to face each costume with sincerity,
one piece at a time.
If You’re Looking for a Japanese Costume Maker
If you are:
- Searching for a Japanese artisan who creates one‑of‑a‑kind children’s figure skating costumes
- Unsure about design direction or color choices
- Wondering how much decoration is appropriate
- Or simply need someone to talk through the ideas with
You’re welcome to reach out through LINE.
I listen carefully from the very first step.
A costume is something we create together.
👇 Costume Consultation LINE
