First, you see her as a kid, when LaVona dressed her.
She made her skate costumes for her, braided her hair, and put beautiful ribbons in her hair.
When Tonyas a teenager, Diane grooms her and shops for her.
Credit: Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush (2); Neon (2)
She actually turned in for her Yale film thesis!
you’ve got the option to find it online.
you’re able to see that Tonyas starting to become her own person.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
When Tonya meets Jeff Gillooly, thats the third chapter of her closet.
Theres this interesting Stockholm Syndrome going on.
Why do you think that was?I grappled with that, also.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
She was under so much stress from her husband and mother, and the skate community wasveryabusive toward her.
I watched endless footage of her performances on YouTube, and the commentators voiceovers are horrible.
Very few have landed a triple, because it takes an incredible amount of physical power.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
What was it like working with the competition outfits?
Did you feel added pressure to get those completely accurate?Yes, and it was stressful!
The archival photography was disjointed in quality.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
Its a lot of Swarovski crystals and a lot of spandex.
Theres something sweet about that.
She went to the after party and I walked up to her and shook her hand.
Neon
I told her I was the costume designer and she threw her arms around me.
Thats the best review I couldve gotten, right from Tonya.
She seemed so butch and tough, and I thought it was interesting that she wore a fur coat.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
Theres also a great family portrait of her with Tonya and Tonyas father.
She had her hair done in rollers, and she has on nice earrings and a blouse.
Tonyas dad is in a nice suit.
Costume Design by Jennifer Johnson, Illustration by Joanna Bush
Thats why the fur coat [in the video interview] fascinated me.
Shes thinking, Okay, Im doing an interview, and this is the best thing that I own.
And the bird was on her shoulder during that video interview, right?
It was really funny.
He was just a good actor who wanted to get drunk!
