As you know, color looks different in different kinds of lighting. Light sources used most in arenas are fluorescent, which makes the color of your costume, make-up, and even your skin tone look different. Each fabric for your outfit has to be brought to the ice first before you make your final decision. Don’t be surprised if the perfect shiny and very expensive fabric will look like a cheap piece of foil; or the deep and rich in color silk looks like it’s already been washed several times. It happens be­cause the light is different than when you first saw the fabric.

The ice surface is white, which is why everything darker will look better. The darker color your costume is, the better everyone will see you. For example, if you are using white in the single skater outfit, add a detail or details in a darker color. If you are a pair skater or ice dancer wearing white or close to white, choose something darker for one of the partners (usually this is the male partner). If you want to achieve a more dramatic effect and present your female partner as the most important part of your due, let her wear something bright and contrasting while keeping white for yourself. (In my opinion, this is the dream of every woman!)

The ice surface is big compared to the usual room or fashion podium. Try to escape small unnecessary details.

The interior of ice rinks will never be good enough for your priceless creation. Be fancy!!!

Music and Color. I don’t need to tell you how important it is to pick the right music for your program, but I do want to say how important it is to coordinate it with your costume. Music and color are very close in relationship. Imagine, suppose you hear very loud harsh rock music. What color would you associate with it? Maybe a flash of red? Or, if you’re listening to a violin, you may associate blue or green with the melody.

Judges, Audience, Competitors, Media and other people who play an important role in your success. They all have their own reactions to different colors. With the help of a particular color, you can influence the judges opinions by creating a special mood that will help them understand your program better. It will be easier for them to catch the feelings that you’ve tried to put into your skating. With carefully chosen colors, you can make your audience more excited about your performance. (Today, the reaction of the au­dience has become more and more important in the judges decisions.) Also, the competitors in the warm-up group with you can feel lost if they get the waves that come from your costume. For example, hot pink can be very destructive for someone else, but at the same time it can give you an energy that will help show everybody, including yourself, your best skating ever!

Groups

Now that you know more about different colors, it’s time to take a good look at yourself. What kind of person are you? What are the individual sides of your outlook? Are you a girl or woman with very gentle delicate skin, and everything light and pinky looks great on you? Or are you a dark haired, black eyed gentleman with the possibility of wearing very bright colors?

There is a big difference in wearing make-up and clothing on the ice and in real life. Let me remind you that all people have been divided by specialist into a few main groups. (You’ve probably heard about this from friends or read about this in magazines, but it is one thing to know it and another to use this knowledge in your performances.) Here are these groups:

The brunette or black haired person with cool, pale skin will have to use cool primary colors like greens, blues, blue-reds and purples. Their best neutral colors are pure black and white, and sometimes dark grays and navy.

Ash blondes with cool skin have a palette of cool but light colors such as lime yellow, blue-greens, lavenders, light blue-gray, lilac or orchid neutrals.

Blonde men and women with a warm yellow undertone to their skin can use only warm bright colors that include yellow-oranges, yellow-greens, warm reds, browns and greens for their outfits or make-up.

Warm, deep earthy colors like golden yellow, oranges and deep browns or olives are especially good for those who are redhead or brunette with warm skin tones.

If you have very dark or black skin with cool ash brown hair, use vivid cool colors. All bright, bold colors are yours!

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