Introduction

I have spent eight years studying color in art school and university, mixed with twenty four years of being a figure skater. After all these years, I understand that the influence of color, especially in ice dancing, is huge and needs to be learned in more detail. I’ve read several books about color, but not one was about color as it relates to figure skating.

Very often people say that it is impossible to teach how to understand and use color. They say that you have to be born with it. The main idea of this article is that any person can make the final decision on what color to use, with amazing results! It’s not true that only talented people can use color right, and it’s why many skaters are afraid to propose their own unusual color combinations and ideas. Instead, they use the advice of their friends or salesperson.

Here I’ll explain how to use color in your costumes and make-up. You’ll learn to work with color by not only using the ideas of other people. Everyone can choose better color combinations for their chosen image and music. You’ll decide what hue of fabric and trimming you’ll need, what color of make-up will go with it, and you’ll collect everything together in one total look package. Every skater has to make these deci­sions, and anyone who is in love with figure skating can achieve very good results. Just try!

In the very beginning of figure skating history, skaters used very simple outfits even when they performed in competitions. Very often they wore regular training garments in easy practical colors. They didn’t have a big selection of fabrics and hues as we all do now. There was no Lycra or other stretchy material (can you imagine!). Beautiful colorful fabrics and trimmings were so expensive that only very rich people could have them.

Now our choices are almost unlimited. Without spending thousands of dollars, we can do something amazing for ourselves! This is why it is so sad to see very talented skaters who include in their programs, elements of theater, ballroom dancing, classic ballet, and modern pop-rock culture, without even trying to pay any attention to how they look, what they wear, and what kind of colors they use! The place on the podium will take only those skaters who will consider every possible option to add to their performances. Color is one of those options and is a very important factor in suc­cessful competing. Before you start to build your own complete package, listen to the following advice.

[ Continue to page 2 ]