Designer Alena Kuklycheva reportedly acquired a book titled How to Rule Slaves for the Russian skater Alena Kostornaya. A social media post accompanied by a photo of the book circulated in which Kuklycheva stated the gift and hinted at sharing more context the next day.
According to the post, the book is said to explore several aspects of historical Roman slave systems and offers insights into how people analytics or management might be interpreted in various contexts. The claim underscores the designer’s intention to illustrate themes adjacent to talent, coaching, and the social dynamics surrounding an elite athlete.
In a later development shared on social media, Kuklycheva disclosed a cessation of collaboration with Kostornaya. A screenshot of exchanges between the two appeared in the post, suggesting a dispute over financial arrangements related to costumes. Kostornaya’s response maintained that she did not owe any payments to the designer, countering the assertion of debt and clarifying her position on the matter.
Kostornaya, who claimed the European title in 2020, has transitioned from singles to pairs skating and is navigating her first season with partner Georgiy Kunitsa. At the most recent national championships in Chelyabinsk, the pair competed in the sports pairs event and finished in ninth place, signaling a phase of adjustment and development in their partnership.
Previously, the designer indicated the possibility of formal action in response to the dispute. The situation highlights the complexities that can arise in professional relationships between athletes and their design, wardrobe, or event collaborators, especially within high-profile competitive environments where budgets, deadlines, and creative direction intersect.