Johnny Weir talks ice skating, living in Lyndhurst and his passion for fashion

This story was originally published in the September 2010 issue of (201) Magazine.

More on Johnny Weir:5 things to know about the Olympics sports commentator and Lyndhurst native

Two-time Olympian Johnny Weir dazzles on the ice, but it’s not just his skating prowess that elicits oohs and ahs from commentators, the competition and his millions of die-hard fans, called Johnny’s Angels, around the world. His costumes do, too, as they are — pink tassels anyone? — daring, colorful, provocative, bold, original, fun, controversial and flamboyant.

“My costumes completely influence the programs that I do and the pieces I create,” says Weir, a three-time U.S. National Champion and an Olympian in 2006 and 2010. “You have to know your body very well to be a figure skater. I definitely know my body, and there are certain ways you can move that extend the line or extend the look you’re going for through the costume. So the costuming is very important. The very first thing I do when I’m creating a new piece is I find the music. The second thing, even before I start the choreography, is I design the costume.”

So into design and fashion is Weir that he’s already modeled and walked runways, and also filled notebook upon notebook with sketches and designs. And, in news that will shock no one, Weir — who ilives in Lyndhurst and practices at the Ice Vault in Wayne — is about to launch his own company, likely to be called Be Unique. He’s been a longtime cheerleader of Manhattan’s Fashion Institute of Technology and aims to understand the basics of fashion before diving in, but there aren’t enough hours in his day for a full F.I.T. course load. As a result, he plans to possibly take a few classes, talk shop with producers and designers in order to shape a vision, rely on his practical experience and then get to it.

“I think I’ll probably start with small lines of things I understand, like sportswear, shoes, bags, and things like that, that I can do now,” Weir explains during a wide-ranging interview in which he lives up to his reputation as a talkative, focused and straight-shooting guy. “But to do really couture pieces, like in my dreams, I need to have the proper training. And right now I don’t have the time. Also, right now, I design costumes, and what people sometimes really easily forget is that when I’m performing as a figure skater in front of millions of people I’m wearing a costume. It’s not necessarily what I’d wear walking down the street. Being me and having the personality I have, I wouldn’t be nervous to wear one of my costumes walking down the street, but they are costumes, and for real clothes I have a very different aesthetic and idea of what’s fashionable. I completely change my own look every day. One day I’ll have a sailor look and then the next day I’m preppy and wearing boat shoes. Today I’m wearing skinny, beady, acid-washed shorts and a tank top. I try to change what my own perception of me is every day, and that’s what fashion is.

“Of course, my opinion of what’s fashionable is very different from anyone else’s,” continues Weir, who cites among his influences Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Coco Chanel and David Bowie. “Everyone has their own sense of style and their own things they like to see, but, for me, anything can become fashion, anything can become fashionable and popular. Anything can become main stream. Look at Lady Gaga. She’s almost as main stream as they come, with her music and how popular she is, but she wears some crazy, crazy stuff. So, fashion is whatever you make it. If people can relate to it, that’s great, and if they can’t, at least you’ve done something you’re proud of. I’m not somebody who’ll sell out in any way just to make more money or be successful. I have a very specific vision of what I like, and that’s what I’ll sell.”

Be Unique is on the radar, but it’s not quite imminent. And that’s because, as Weir noted, he’s got so much going on. He’ll skip the 2010-2011 season as a competitive skater, but still lace up regularly for other events. He’s the star of his own Sundance Channel reality program, "Be Good, Johnny Weir." Also on the way are an autobiography and even some music. It’s not quite Johnny Weir, Inc., but it’s darn close.

“So many opportunities have come my way outside of figure skating and I want to take advantage of them, and that’s only natural,” Weir says. “I’ve been a figure skater and living the life of an athlete and a sportsman for so long now that it’s very fun for me to try these other projects, because the time is right and there’s interest. So I’m trying them. I am a veteran, I am old for a figure skater, and the new breed of American men’s skaters are going to be coming to the forefront and they’ll obviously be pushed ahead of the veterans. That’s what always happens. I remember when I was coming up the ranks I pushed veterans out because they needed me on the team. I remember feeling sad they were getting pushed out, but really great that I was the one pushing them out. And that’s a competitive person. I’m still so competitive, and it’s an artistic journey in every way, whether it’s a song, a book, a fashion line. I won’t do anything unless I know I can be the best at it and that I can succeed at it.”

Weir is nothing if not self-aware. He’s clashed with PETA. He’s not afraid to speak his mind. He espouses the virtues of being different, yet, as open and honest as he is, as much as he invites fans into his world, even literally into his closet, he won’t publicly address his sexuality, a stance for which he’s absorbed some serious heat. For all that and more, some people just don’t like or get Weir. He knows it and he accepts it.

“For people who don’t appreciate me, that’s their choice,” Weir notes, no trace of bitterness in his voice. “I don’t appreciate every celebrity. I don’t appreciate every athlete. There are people I don’t like. It’s a completely human and natural thing and I don’t begrudge anyone’s opinions about me because you have to formulate it yourself. I know who I am, I’m proud of who I am, and the people I love and cherish are proud of me and I’m proud of them.

“That,” Weir concludes, “is what matters to me.”

A Charmed Life

Weir has a special connection to the silver chain and charms that he wears around his neck – and never takes off. “The charms are symbolic of my power, my karma,” Weir beams. “They were gifts to me from friends and fans and I never take them off. The thin chain demonstrates how stronger my powers are.” The charms include a Korean ruby good luck charm, two Russian rubles, a ring from a Georgian skater that includes an Orthodox protection prayer, a hamsa (Jewish hand of protection) from Jerusalem, a Star of David, a Matryoshka (Russian nesting) doll, and an Orthodox cross from his mother.

More Olympic news

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Winter Olympics:Ice House in Hackensack sending 11 skaters to Games in Pyeongchang

Fashion styling by (201) Magazine, assisted by Amy Fezza
Hair by Cynthia Ivankovic, David Michael Hair Studio, Paramus
Makeup by Wendy Boiardi