#ONESTOWATCH: Coco Rohatyn
Photography by Lee Clower | Written by: Taylor Kate
Coco Rohatyn — the latest addition to the “Ones to Watch” series, in partnership with La Petite Magazine, Lee Clower and Petite Parade — is a pro athlete and rising fashion star, but that's just the ice-ing on the rink.
School? Check. Skating? Uh huh. Fashion? You got it! In short: laziness is not a word in Coco's vocabulary-- and if you learn anything from this interview, it shouldn't be in yours. Because of all her incredibly impressive adventures in and out of fashion, Coco was able to share all sorts of inspiring advice and stories with great humor and an always positive outlook. Down to earth and incredibly witty, this hardworking girl will never find herself on thin ice.
Word on the curb is Coco Rohatyn is literally (as in not figuratively) kind of the best thing ever, and Lee Clower, photographer and fashion favorite, even confirmed everything we already knew to be true: "I first met Coco at a shoot for Bonnie Young and was struck by how elegant and graceful she was in Bonnie’s couture collection. Rarely do you see a kid her age with the confidence and poise to wear Bonnie’s clothing so effortlessly. I shot her for the second time at Petite Parade for LaPetite Magazine, again in Bonnie Young, andyet again she impressed me with her graceful manner. This second shoot was when I started considering her for the ‘Ones to Watch’ series, but when I finally shot her skating in Central Park’s Wollman rink, I knew she would be a perfect addition to the series. The dedication and excellence I witnessed indeed makes her ‘One to Watch.'"
Well, kids, if the above is any indication, there is only one thing to do. Only one thing we can do: watch this girl.
What has been the most memorable experience in your iceskating career?
This summer I competed against ten girls in pre-juvenile at the Vail Invitational. Most of my previous competitions only had a lineup of six girls, [so] this was incredibly daunting. Before going on the ice, I begged my coach to not make me go on and compete! She quieted me and said, “Coco, this competition needs your energy, go out there and give it your pizazz.” She then pushed me on the ice, and as I took my jazzy beginning pose, I looked back at her giving me a look of ease and encouragement. I had the time of life performing that day, I picked up more speed with every jump landed-- feeling exhilarated as I landed my final jump combo. [It was a] lutz half-loop double salchow.I placed 3rd but it didn’t really matter, because I was proud that i had gone out on the ice and given it my all.
What is your favorite thing about ice skating?
Hands down my favorite part of skating is performing. It’s just you on the big ice. I love the sound of my blade cutting the ice. I'm a different person when I perform, as if [I'm] being the character from the song I’m skating to. Sometimes my coach worries that I will forget about my jumps because I get so carried away with my performance. My favorite competition song is "Le Jazz Hot”. Every time I skate [in] the program, I become a 1940's jazz dancer.
I love that. What do you think are the most important movements for an ice skater?
I love performing and jumping. Skating helps to clear my head, and forget about everything that is going. The focus is essential for landing a jump. The most important part of skating is to bounce right up after falling. It is a sport that you can’t get better at without a lot of bruises.
That's awesome. I also feel like that could be really metaphorical for other aspects of life, like, not letting things get you down and just jumping right back up! So, anyway, in what ways has iceskating helped or influenced you when it comes to being behind the camera?
My skating has helped me “get in the zone” while behind the camera.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to focus and do the task at hand.
What's the hardest part about iceskating?
The hardest part about skating is motivating myself to get out of bed before sunrise to go practice.
Who do you admire?
The most influential women in my life are my mom and my grandmother -- who we call "naughty nana." My mom and nana are also excellent role models- both work and find time for family.
Who are your favorite designers for regular clothing and sportswear?
I love clothing, from Bonnie Young’s couture to little Parisian boutiques to Ivivva. Also, Lululemon for sports wear.
Every year my mom and I take a special trip to the studio of skating dress guru Tania Bass. There, in the first 5 minutes, I play her my music and within seconds Tania is going through her skating dress rack to see what will fit my music. Even though I am allergic to her many cats, I love all the bright colors, crystals and yards of danskin that cover her studio.