Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. So, Mit might be onto something. When East-German figure skating competitor Katarina Witt performed in an outfit that resembled a bathing suit at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, she shocked audiences around the world. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. Katarina Witt, a competitor from East Germany, performed in a blue costume, adorned at the waist with feathers instead of a skirt, the likes of which barely covered her posterior as she moved. Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule." Associated Press "The Katarina Rule" dictates that women's hips, midriffs, and behinds are covered. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. Thomas was the bronze medalist in the event. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. She won her first at the 1984 Sarajevo games and her second four years later at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Christopher Morris - Corbis via Getty Images, competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice, womens hips, midriffs and buttocks had to be covered with a skirt. Real good. Did she lose points for her pants? Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. Prev 5 of 8 Next . Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Hamill's red dress and wedge haircut instantly became iconic after she nabbed a silver Olympic medal in Innsbruck, Austria. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. So much so that after television network CBS lost the rights to broadcast NFL football games, they turned to figure skating (and the Gone With the Wind sequel miniseries Scarlett, because frankly my dear, lots of people dont give a damn about football) to save their November sweeps. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Womens figure skating is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning events to watch at the Olympics. Now, the IOC only wants to monetize on these clips.Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? Not possible. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. Its free! The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. 33 Best Ice Skating Outfits - Iconic Outfits Worn by Famous Figure Skaters Style Fashion 33 Famous Ice Skating Outfits Worthy of Their Very Own Gold Medal Including some of the best from the. And that right there feels worth at least another gold medal for Witt. Which Olympic Figure Skaters Are Actually Dating? Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Ladies' Short Program - Re-posting another one of the videos the IOC had filed copyright infringement and had me taking it down. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Performing during the short program of the ladies singles figure skating event on Feb. 21, 2006, at at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. What do you do after you win two gold medals? As the New York Times recently noted, two-time gold medalist Katarina Witt has written about how, in 1987, her costume slipped during a competition and she was forced to finish the routine with. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. South Korea's Yuna Kim performs in the Ladies' Free skating program at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, during the 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 2010. Both of these hardcore costume bans were lifted in 2003, and since then, the ISU has kept the Olympic figure skating dress code rules relatively subjective at least for women. You've hit your max! So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. Which brings us to 1988 and. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dres, boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me., an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt, The East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her. Tonya Harding's red dress at the Lillehammer Olympic Games has become infamous when the figure skater was controversially allowed to re-do her routine because of a broken lace. And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. as well as other partner offers and accept our, If youre going for strapless, it's nice to have that nude in there, to make everything stay," he told, NOW WATCH: A dog owner built custom ice skates for her pup and taught him how to skate, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. In this interview, we dive into her [], Spring is in the air, and we cant wait to embrace all the excitement it brings! not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". During the ladies short event, French figure skater Ma-Brnice Mit carved out a place for herself by skating to music including the Beyonc hits Halo and Run the World (Girls). But thats not the only aspect of her performance making waves. Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. Search instead in. Michelle Kwan opted for an understated lilac velvet spaghetti-strap dress (which was super on-trend at the time) when she won silver at the 1998 Winter Olympics, a stark contrast to the ruffles and bedazzled outfits of her competitive counterparts. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Unlike the dress code, the actual rules of competitive figure skating which has been around for over 100 years are complicated enough to make your head spin. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. The American athlete skating in the free skate during the ladies singles figure skating event of the 1998 Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, 1998, in Nagano, Japan. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. Not even mad about this first two jumps. Katarina Witt even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! Katarina Witt of Germany in a strapless, arm-baring number at the 1988 Olympics. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. Kostner, of Italy, performing during the free skating program of the ladies singles event during the 2006 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. "[Men] can wear a tapered pant, but if it is a tight, that's a reduction in your score," two-time Olympian Johnny Weir told Cosmopolitan. A figure skater born in an authoritarian state who got scolded by Dr. Ruth, won 2 gold medals AND an Emmy, rebuffed a gross pick-up line from Donald Trump, caused Playboy magazines to soar off the shelves, starred in a movie with Robert DeNiro, and was featured in a 90s dance song with one of the members of La Bouche!? The East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her, as they monitored her every move in the late 70s/80s, ensuring she could be seen as the most beautiful face of socialism. The East German government even got involved in Witts first relationship, forcibly stationing her boyfriend at a military post far away to make sure Witt wasnt distracted by a boy in her pursuit for Olympic gold. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. 2. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, hot figure skaters. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. The Russian skater performing in the women's free program of the figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, Feb. 21, 2002, during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. The controversy here was how short and skimpy the \"skirt\" part of Katarina's outfit was, especially in the front. Brian Boitano of the United States in a billowing, V-neck blouse and skintight pants at the 1988 Olympics. The rule was repealed . Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. The American skater competing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games held in Albertville, France, on Feb. 21, 1992. Kristi Yamaguchi opted for a long sleeved gold brocade dress for the Olympic Games in Albertville, France the year she took home the gold medal. You know, the kind that punctuate songs by Cathy Dennis, The Real McCoy, Le Click, etc. American skater Michelle Kwan in a flowing pink piece with a sheer illusion triangle top in 2000. Then you star in a commercial where you lure a bunch of boys onto the ice and boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open. Unlike many other athletes at the winter Olympics, figure skaters aren't required to don official Olympics uniforms; instead, they're tasked with finding an outfit that is both artistically expressive and breathable and that's in addition to the pressure of executing a perfect routine. Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". Even though she failed to medal Italian figure skater Carolina Kostner looked stunning in an ombr dress encrusted with crystals for the Sochi Winter Olympics. Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. The award-winning film I, Tonya in which Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Hardingrecreated the pleated teal outfit Harding wore for the U.S. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. But if women can wear tuxedos on the red carpet and not be any less elegant, female skaters can do the same in the rink. East Germany's Katarina Witt won the 1984 Olympic gold medal and sought a back-to-back victory four years later at the 1988 Calgary Games. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? Bustle reached out to The International Skater's Union for comment on these rules, but has not received a response. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. That is how serious it is. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. The American skater competing in the free skate portion of the ladies singles event at the 1994 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1994, at the Hamar Olympic Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. 2023 Getty Images. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. The charismatic Witt defined the sport in the 1980s with her flirtatious and graceful performances. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Promise. Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Decades later, the niece of outgoing President Donald Trump would write that her uncle also noticed Katarina Witt, but hated her because Witt rebuffed his advances. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Aug 12, 2022 - Explore Randy Lantz's board "Katarina Witt", followed by 399 people on Pinterest. Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. Photo: Getty Images This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. Competing in the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 11, 2018. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! After Katarina Witt came out on the ice in a few feathers barely covering her behind in 1988, the International Skating Union enacted a rule that women had to wear skirts. A Canadian coach called it practically a g-string (one has to wonder if this Canadian coach ever saw a g-string), and even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dress. Figure Skating Championship. If it checks off all of those boxes, for me, thats a wonderful costume., Aurelia Durand is a talented illustrator and artist who hails from France but currently lives in Copenhagen. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 4. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. [1] 1. Wittjust like the states of Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in the 2020 electionrefused him, leading Trump to add Witt to a grudge list of women who declined to date him. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. Sarah Hughes wore a lavender dress with a beaded bodice for the Salt Lake City Olympics, at which she won a gold medal in the ladies free program. And they have. They dont just sit and drink coffee and they move the bottom half of their bodies well, which is very beneficial. Paging Gus Kenworthy. but alas, Dr. Ruths vision for a dress code came true, and the Katarina Rule was born requiring skaters to (in the words of Jurassic Park) cover their butts. Sparkly and pants . We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. She also wore pants for her free skate at the 2014 Olympics the unitard was similar, but the sparkly top was silver, blue, and black. German figure skater Katarina Witt is known as one of the greatest of all time in her sport, thanks in part to her back-to-back Olympic gold medals. East German figure skater, Katarina Witt, wore a Bavarian themed dress complete with billowing sleeves and dazzling tiara for her routine at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. Kwan won the silver medal. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Bonaly finished in fifth place. The Winter Olympics in Beijing are in full swing, and let's face it, the global event brings out the inner sports fan in everyone. Last week, costume designer Jan Longmire told InStyle, The guidelines change every now and then, but every girl always has to wear a skirt she cant come out in a leotard on its own.. France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. Accessories and props are not permitted. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Collect, curate and comment on your files. The "Katarina Rule" was adopted by the International Skating Union in 1988 after Witt showed up in a feathery, skirtless, skin-baring ensemble that gave her the look of a showgirl kicked out . Lia Beck. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. ), The 80s may have set the rink stage, but the 90s are where Katarina Witt really gets her pop culture creds. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? And speaking of dresses, Witt's '88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. Mit expressively floated and twirled around the ice winning the hearts of the world, despite her fall, with her boundary-pushing music (this is the first Olympics at which skaters are allowed to use music with lyrics!) Katarina Witt Evening Dress. 5. Keeping all of these creative decisions in mind, skaters have to consider that the rules are pretty subjective: What's perfectly acceptable to one judge might be "garish" or "too theatrical" to another. Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best 90s dance song no one has ever heard. Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. . For real. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. So even if you don't keep up with competitive figure skating, you'll probably tune in at least once during these next few weeks. At the 88 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Witt was attempting to do what very few people have done: become a back-to-back Olympic gold medal winner. In the words of Beyonc, the pants-clad and badass skater is repping for the girls who taking over the world.. When the first Olympic figure skating competition launched in the 1920s, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. Long before ESPN would release their annual Body issue showing off naked Gronk or chiseled Ronda Rousey or the of Jerry Rice, Witt appeared on the December 1998 cover of Playboy Magazine and in a spread that delivered all the body positivity. #Olympics, I dont care about how the skate goes, but Mae-Berenice Meit wearing pants and skating to Beyonc is a powerful thing. The crowds at the Nagano Olympics cheered on the-then-15-year-old as she won the gold medal in a stylish and sweet blue dress. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. While there's no official explanation for the rule, one could speculate that the mandatory pants-not-leggings rule may have something to do with controlling the presence of bulge. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. For $5.95 you could catch Katarina Witt baring it all or, if you were one of those who bought Playboy for the articles, you could read the latest story from Joyce Carol Oates or read 20 questions with Gore Vidal! It takes grit, stamina and a willingness to throw yourself onto a slab of solid ice over and over again and look beautiful while doing it. Skating her free program in the ladies singles event of the figure skating competition in the 1998 Winter Olympics held on Feb. 20, 1998, in Nagano, Japan. And the lyrics are Susan Powter-level inspiration: Just take the mirror and hold up highLook at yourself straight in the eyeYour moment of truth has finally arrivedSkate with me skate with meWe dont need tomorrow, no cause youll be far away Skate with me skate with meIf your heart says follow go and you can come along and skate with me. The year American figure skater, Peggy Fleming, won an Olympic gold medal in Grenoble she donned a chartreuse dress with a high neck and white beaded trim. Despite the relatively vague assessment metric for women's costumes, there is one black-and-white rule is that men can't stray from: No leggings. The American skater performing her free skating program during the ladies singles event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. When the Berlin Wall fell, Witt spent much of the early 90s fielding accusations that she was a spy for East Germany, or criticism that she didnt speak out against the regime. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. Tens across the board for Katarina Witt, the Olympic figure skating powerhouse whose determination on and off the ice dominated American pop culture of the 80s and 90s. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. During her figure skating routine at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. In fact, at the 1924 games in Chamonix, France, women wore full skirts with sweaters and hats that didnt look much different from their everyday clothes (which makes sense, considering Olympic skating rinks used to be outdoors). Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule.". Dinamo is not just a design practice, it is a way of thinking that applies interesting concepts to a wide range of production areas, from typography and design to research and consulting. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. But behind the curtain, her East . ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in a silver disco outfit with a sheer panel down the front at the 2002 Games. 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