First Look: Costumes in the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships

Boston-inspired costumes will take the ice at the competition's opening ceremony.

world figure skating costumes boston

Gracie Gold photo via Shutterstock

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships kick off Wednesday night at the TD Garden with an official opening ceremony performance, followed by the men’s short program.

The opening ceremony is akin to something we might have seen at Boston 2024—a tribute to the revolutionary history of the city. Produced by Dorchester resident and long-time figure skating coach Melanie Lambert along with choreographers Adam Blake, Douglas Webster, and Nathan Birch, the performance is meant to showcase the cultural heritage of Boston and its history in the sport. The team calls it “a revolution of art on ice.”

Featuring 20 professional skaters in eight different numbers, the 30-minute performance begins with the William Diamond Fife & Drum Corp from Lexington, transitions into an 18th-century waltz, and ends on a modern note with songs from Boston artists like Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and of course “Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys.

Maryland-based costume designer Alicia Jackson has designed 96 costumes for the evening’s spectacle, all of which pay homage to the revolutionary spirit and history of Boston. Built for quick changes (some in a matter of seconds), the costumes have everything from rebellious punk-rock features like leather vests and spikes, to what looks to be a bedazzled swan-like jumpsuit (swan boats, anyone?).

Below, check out a few sketches of what we can expect to see on the ice tonight.

world figure skating costumes boston

Image Provided

world figure skating costumes boston

Image Provided

world figure skating costumes boston

Image Provided