Recently I came into the possession of a flamboyant costume jacket, very well made and very used. It features ruffled sleeves, sequins galore and the color chartreuse. Inside it is labeled Ice Capades Costume Studio, Hollywood, California. The name, written in pen, is KONRAD, referring to Alan Konrad, a star of the Ice Capades from the late 1940s through 1964.
Had to show off those sleeves! The look gives me a Fiesta Mexicana vibe.
The jacket is clearly much used, missing some sequins, and stained with sweat, makeup and even a bit of blood inside. However, the more I look at it, the less I want to clean it, partly because I’m afraid any sort of cleaning could damage it, and partly because the flaws are the mark of honest use by a great performer.
Here is Konrad in 1948, at 3:11 in this film:
Often called jet-propulsion Alan Konrad in the media, he was known for his death-defying leaps, strength and speed.
From 1950
From 1955
From 1960
From 1962
Here’s a clip from the Ice Capades in 1964, which seems to have been his last year performing. Konrad is the skater at the beginning.
Alan Konrad died in 2014.
I found a brief tribute in Ice Capades the Blade written shortly after his passing. I’ve edited this lightly for clarity.
Alan Konrad died at 2:00 am on April 15, 2014. He was 86. He had been suffering with dementia for the past 15 years and then on December 12, 2013, he fell in the street in New York and was taken to the hospital. He recovered enough to be sent to a nursing home, but then developed a kidney infection and he eventually passed away on April 15th . He was cremated and the plan is to sprinkle his ashes near the skating rink in Central Park.
Young 15-year old Alan had more determination than skating ability when he journeyed from his home in South River, New Jersey to New York City to audition. He was accepted and served his apprenticeship in Ice Capades. He was dubbed the ‘Ghost of the Arenas’ because of his determination and constant application to practicing. Alan’s eagerness to perfect his exciting technique has won for him recognition among the ‘greats’ of the ice world. He will be missed.
Although there are many Ice Capades alumni, it seems to be difficult if not impossible to find anyone of Konrad’s era.
I’ve reached out to a number of people about this amazing jacket. I do not know why it was found in Spokane, so far from Konrad’s New York/New Jersey area home. Was it given to a family member or friend? Purchased as a theatrical costume?
All I really want for the jacket is a place of honor, perhaps a museum or collection of ice skating history. In the meantime, I will admire it for the wonderful piece of skating history it is.