Costume designer Daria Dmitrieva spoke about a tense dispute involving Russian figure skater Alena Kostornaya, focusing on unpaid costs for certain costumes used in a recent show. Dmitrieva described the situation as deeply disappointing, noting that a personal agreement existed to provide the costumes at no cost, yet several items were returned incomplete or not at all after three years. According to Dmitrieva, the ongoing issue added unnecessary strain to the production process, with urgent sewing and alterations required just days before performances. The veteran designer characterized Kostornaya’s conduct as arrogant and disrespectful, highlighting how the friction eventually spilled onto social media. The remarks underline the fragility of professional relationships in high-pressure environments like elite skating and the potential consequences of misaligned expectations on collaboration cycles.
In recounting the sequence of events, Dmitrieva explained that the team requested the costumes be returned if they were no longer needed and that payment be made if certain garments were still required. The outcome was that some costumes deemed unnecessary were sent back while others that were essential remained unreimbursed. This mismatch left the production team to manage the fallout and negotiate terms that had already been initially agreed upon, complicating the workflow and delaying closure on the financial side of the project.
On January 3, a separate update from designer Alena Kuklycheva indicated that she had ended her working relationship with Alena Kostornaya. The post included a screenshot of correspondence with the skater, which suggested that Kostornaya had not fulfilled payment obligations for some of the costumes. The public sharing of messages amplified concerns about accountability and professional conduct within the circle of collaborators and supporters involved in Kostornaya’s skating career and wardrobe supply chain.
Regarding competitive results, at the most recent Russian Championships held in Chelyabinsk, Kostornaya partnered with Georgy Kunitsa and finished in ninth place in the pairs event. The placement reflected the evolving competitive landscape for the pair as they navigated various national championships and formal events during the 2023/24 season. This season represented Kostornaya and Kunitsa’s first foray back into major Russian competitions, marking a notable return to the circuit after a hiatus and illustrating the ongoing adjustments athletes make when re-entering high-stakes tournaments.
During the same season, Kostornaya and Kunitsa participated in the Grand Prix series, beginning with a competition in Omsk where they achieved a fourth-place finish. The Grand Prix circuit that year crowned Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov as champions, underscoring the level of competition and the margin for error that exists among top teams in the sport. The results highlighted both Kostornaya’s continued presence on the national stage and the realities of competing against a field featuring several seasoned pairs with established track records.
Earlier statements from Kostornaya during the season addressed the evolving nature of her professional relationships, including the discussion about the separation from Kuklycheva. These comments reflected her stance on partnerships, resource management, and the logistics that accompany a busy schedule filled with exhibitions, training, and travel. Collectively, the episodes point to the broader dynamics at play in elite figure skating today, where artistry, timing, and financial considerations intersect in ways that shape both performance and reputation.