On the sidelines of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and in the heart of one of the world’s greatest fashion capitals, the International Skating Union (ISU) brought together two exceptional women and visionary creative forces for an inspiring Fashion Talk at the ISU Home of Skating in Milan: Olympic medalist and three-time ISU World Ice Dance Champion Madison Chock - also an acclaimed skating costume designer - and world-renowned Haute Couture icon Vera Wang.

Recorded in an intimate podcast format, this Fashion Talk explored the deep and evolving relationship between Fashion and Figure Skating, celebrating creativity as a powerful form of expression. It brought together two women who meticulously design every detail of performance - on the ice and on the stage - highlighting how vision, craftsmanship, and storytelling shape the magic audiences ultimately see.

Where Sport Meets Couture

Opening the discussion, Madison Chock reflected on the moment that first ignited her passion for costume design: “Honestly, it was seeing Michelle Kwan compete at the Olympics in Vera Wang. It inspired my love of fashion and my drive to create costumes for myself on the ice.”

Michelle Kwan (USA) performs in a costume designed by Vera Wang at the 2003 US Figure Skating Championships in Dallas, Texas. © ISU

For Vera, whose three-decade journey designing for elite skaters began almost by accident, the connection between fashion and skating has always been rooted in understanding the athlete. From Olympic champions to world medalists, Wang has long embraced the technical rigor required for skating attire. “I always try to begin with how a skater moves - their physicality, their style, what they want to express or maybe what they can’t yet express. A costume should lend another dimension to the program. It is couture but it has to function like athletic wear. The range of movement, the choreography, the lifts…it’s not the red carpet. It’s far more demanding. My greatest fear is a wardrobe malfunction that could cost someone a lifetime of work.”

Nathan Chen (USA) competes in a costume designed by Vera Wang during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, Korea. © ISU

Madison, who designs many of her own costumes, echoed the delicate balance between artistry and athleticism: “Comfort is number one. When you put your costume on, you become more powerful. Your style becomes an extra layer to your performance. When you look good, you feel good - and that confidence shows on the ice.”

The Ice as a Runway

A highlight of the talk was a behind-the-scenes reflection on Madison and partner Evan Bates’ celebrated “bullfighter” program, which became one of the most talked-about looks in Ice Dance.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates performing their "bullfighter" Free Skating program at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. © ISU

Vera praised the maturity and theatrical nuance of the design: “It had strength and purity, yet incredible theatricality. Those things are not always easy to accomplish.”

Madison explained how costume variations were adapted for different stages of competition: “For the Olympic stage, we wanted the storytelling to be bold and unmistakable. We brought the red back in, added dramatic details - it’s Ice Dance. Who doesn’t love a bit of theatrical drama?”

Fashion on the Olympic Stage

The conversation expanded beyond the rink to explore the growing influence of fashion at the Olympic Games, from Opening Ceremony uniforms to performance wear. Vera emphasized how fashion enhances visibility and unity within the Olympic Movement: “The Olympics encourage the world to compete peacefully and represent not only countries, but sportsmanship. Fashion adds another dimension of awareness and pride.”

Madison agreed, highlighting how national uniforms and performance looks inspire future generations:

“It is so inspiring to see how different countries outfit their athletes, how they incorporate their heritage and showcase what's unique about their culture. Fashion is playing a role in unity - by helping athletes to feel their best on the biggest stage. The Olympic movement is bigger than any one person or country. It’s about the unity it creates.”

A Shared Definition of Figure Skating Costume Perfection

The Fashion Talk concluded with a shared reflection on what defines the perfect Figure Skating costume. Vera stated: “A perfect Figure Skating costume is one that makes you feel the best you can be.” 

Madison completed the thought: “The perfect costume embodies the athlete and the story they are trying to tell.”

Celebrating Creativity at the ISU Home of Skating

This exclusive Fashion Talk at the ISU Home of Skating exemplifies the ISU’s commitment to celebrating Figure Skating not only as a discipline of technical excellence, but as a living art form shaped by visionary mind on and off the ice.

Exhibited Costume at the ISU Home of Skating in Milano, during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. © ISU

The conversation highlighted how every costume is the result of a layered creative process - evolving hand in hand with choreography, music, venue, lighting, the athletes’ well-being and even broadcast considerations - underscoring skating’s unique position as both elite sport and performing art.

Whether on the Olympic stage or across ISU competitive venues worldwide, the ISU remains dedicated to spotlighting the creativity that defines skating’s identity - where athletic precision meets haute couture, and where every performance begins long before the first blade touches the ice.

Watch the full Fashion Talk here.