“I wanted to capture the authentic 90s vibe without it looking like a costume party. It was a perfect fit.” Olivia Smart on her RD costume
Olivia Smart on Her Rhythm Dance Costume
original source: Sports by Maya Bagriantseva
In an interview with Sports correspondent, Olivia Smart shared the creative process behind her rhythm dance costume and how she drew inspiration from the iconic style of singer Dua Lipa for this season’s 90s-themed rhythm dance. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“I absolutely adore Dua Lipa – she’s an incredible artist born for the stage. Her looks are bold and daring, often featuring swimsuits paired with chunky boots, which just looks so cool,” Smart explained.
When Smart discovered one of Lipa’s stage outfits referenced a vintage Chanel dress, she instantly knew it was the perfect representation of the 90s – the very era designated for this season’s rhythm dance. “It was a perfect fit. In the 90s, people wanted to stand out, and they weren’t afraid to dress boldly or uniquely. I feel like that’s something I can relate to as well,” she said.
Smart showed the idea to her coach, Romain Haguenauer, who immediately approved the concept. “Romain is tough to please when it comes to costumes – he’s incredibly picky. But this time, he said, ‘Wow, great idea,’ right away. So I didn’t have a single doubt: this was our direction.”
Smart aimed to avoid anything typical or overly cliché: “I didn’t want to go for something obvious like a denim mini skirt or leather pants. Baggy trousers and cropped tops didn’t feel right either. I wanted to capture the authentic 90s vibe without it looking like a costume party. That’s when I started researching collections from that decade and watched loads of fashion shows. I realized that a leotard was perfect – it’s almost like a time machine to the 90s.”
Though the costume is minimal in design, it is surprisingly heavy due to the abundance of real chains incorporated into it, weighing nearly two kilograms. “The atelier told me it wouldn’t hold up on a regular hanger, so I had to find something sturdier. During my first practice wearing the new costume, it felt like I was skating in a weighted training vest,” Smart recalled with a laugh.
She noted one slightly awkward moment with the costume: “The only time I feel a bit strange in this outfit is during the six-minute warm-up. I’m wearing the national team jacket, and it looks like I forgot my pants! So I make sure to take my jacket off as quickly as possible so everyone can see the full look.”
Smart also addressed concerns about the legality of performing in such an unconventional costume. “Before the season started, I reread the rules carefully to ensure there was no penalty for competing without a skirt, haha. We worked hard to make the look less harsh and more elegant. How should I put this delicately? I wanted to avoid any associations with BDSM.”
When Smart first tried on the costume, she had mixed feelings: “At first, I wondered if we’d gone overboard. Something like, ‘Dad, I hope you don’t see this,’” she joked. However, her doubts quickly disappeared once she stepped onto the ice. “The moment I got out there, I felt confident and sexy. The costume absolutely complements our music, Tim loves it, and he constantly compliments me about it. He’s truly the dream partner, right?”
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