Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. Alina Zagitova took her cues from ballerinas when wore an intricately embroidered red and gold tutu and red gloves for her gold medal performance at the Pyeongchang Olympics. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, figure skating. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. In the words of Beyonc, the pants-clad and badass skater is repping for the girls who taking over the world.. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germanys Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. The Ukrainian athlete competing in the free skate portion of the ladies singles event at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 25, 1994, at the Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre in Lillehammer, Norway. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. The charismatic Witt defined the sport in the 1980s with her flirtatious and graceful performances. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. This is the calendar that will keep you at the forefront of the cultural scene this [], Welcome to this interview with Johannes Breyer, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Dinamo. I'd be walking through an airport and I'd see someone with the issue of Playboy in their hands, and they'd see me, and their eyes would go right to my chest. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. 2023 Getty Images. 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. The South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Lu, of China, in the free skate portion of the ladies singles figure skating competition at the 1994 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1994, in Lillehammer, Norway. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. A skater named Debi Thomas hit the ice the same year in a black, beaded, full-body unitard and no skirt a move that put a temporary ban on costumes without skirts. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' (Everyman) dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom) on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. 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. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. 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. 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!) There was one scandalous moment at the 1988 Winter Olympics that changed the rules of competitive figure skating costumery for a decade-and-a-half, anyways. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. From then on, hemlines continued to go shorter. Hamill's red dress and wedge haircut instantly became iconic after she nabbed a silver Olympic medal in Innsbruck, Austria. Chin, of the U.S., performing at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. In the 1990s, another trend that emerged was designer costumes. 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. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. Costumes also run the style gamut, and range from DIY imagination (Figure skating legend and 1976 gold medalist Dorothy Hamill, for instance, wore super simple, floating designs her first costume was made by her mother's friend) to inspired by the runway (Vera Wang, for example, has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters on their looks, including Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan). Later in the 1980s, figure skater Katarina Witt caught flack for her "scandalous" low V-neck outfit and champion sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner raised hell for her neon, one-legged running . As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. American skater Hayes Alan Jenkins in a chunky sweater and pants at the 1956 Olympics. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. The mostly vast amount of crystals is also affecting the competitors performance. July 26, 2001 -- When Katarina Witt glided onto the ice, the world watched every move of the beautiful East German figure skater. 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 across the ice. 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. 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.. The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. Competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018, in Gangneung, South Korea. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. The rule was repealed . not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! In this interview, we dive into her [], Spring is in the air, and we cant wait to embrace all the excitement it brings! . A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Countless others have dug deep into Witts figure skating legacy. Male figure skater, Adam Rippon kept his pants simple and stole the show with his skin tight sequin shirt while competing at the Pyeongchang Olympics. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. The International Skating Union now stipulates, that the clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. However, clothing may reflect the character of the music. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. "If youre going for strapless, it's nice to have that nude in there, to make everything stay," he told Slate,suggesting that flesh-colored panels help ensure modesty, but also a better, more flexible fit. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. And speaking of dresses, Witts 88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. 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. Katarina Witt, (born December 3, 1965, Karl-Marx-Stadt, East Germany [now Chemnitz, Germany]), German figure skater who was the first woman to win consecutive Olympic gold medals (1984 and 1988) in singles figure skating since Sonja Henie in 1936. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. Thus was born Ice Wars: The USA vs. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. Womens figure skating is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning events to watch at the Olympics. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". 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. Shaun White and Nina Dobrevs Cutest Moments, Meet Naomi Osakas Incredibly Supportive Parents, 16 Pics of Olympians the Moment They Knew They Won, You Def Wanna See Funny Tweets About the Olympics, This 15-Year-Old Ice Skater Just Made History, Dont Let Maame Bineys Smiling Face Fool You, Meet Olympian Chloe Kims Skateboarder Boyfriend, Wondering When the Next Olympics Games Are? And hey, if you have an extra $7.50 USD lying around, you can always head on over to eBay and grab yourself a Katarina Witt action figure. 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. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. Planck-Szabo of Austria, Muckelt of Great Britain and Loughran of the United States at the 1924 winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, Jan. 30, 1924. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. 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. I'm with it. For real. 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. Oct 19, 2021 - Explore Rich Hassey's board "Katarina Witt" on Pinterest. Katarina Witt has responded to comments that she shows too much boob on Dancing On Ice, claiming that it's only because she 'sits down'. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. Katarina Witt's bejewelled blue costume at the 1988 Olympics, with feathers where a skirt should be, conjured images of a Vegas showgirl, and prompted the International Skating Union to write. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. 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. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. During her figure skating routine at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. 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. Her response? So, Mit might be onto something. 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. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. 2. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. French ice-dancing couple Gwendal Peizerat (in a billowy blouse) and Marina Anissina (in a dress that gave the illusion that her whole side was naked) at a competition in 2001. The Norwegian skater on the ice at Chamonix during the Winter Olympics in 1924 when. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. Photo: Getty Images 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 when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. Figure skaters shouldnt wear outfits that could arouse judges. The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. 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. American skater and bronze medalist Debi Thomas decided to forgo a dress at the Calgary Olympics, instead opting to perform her routine in an embellished jumpsuit instead. 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. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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). For her routine, Shizuka Arakawa wore a unique dual-toned blue dress with sheer sleeves and low neckline. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in a silver disco outfit with a sheer panel down the front at the 2002 Games. 5. She won her first at the 1984 Sarajevo games and her second four years later at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Yep, in 1995, Witt joined with Melanie Thornton (the voice behind 90s dance sensation La Bouche) as well as singers Joan Faulkner and Linda Rocco who sang back-up for acts like Milli Vanilli, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me.. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. This past year when Mary Trump dropped her book Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man, she included an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt. From Sports Illustrated: Perhaps it's not an accident that the rules for the skaters' costumes are kept relatively lax after all, there's a lot to keep in mind when you're on the ice, and whether your butt cheeks are showing or not. 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. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. Janet Lynn, Beatrix Schuba and Karin Magnussen, 1972. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule.". While competing in her third and last Olympic Games ever, Surya Bonaly took the ice in a blue and gold beaded fringe dress. I loved the French skater (Ma-Brnice Mit)'s awesome pants outfit and the Bey song. 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. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. 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. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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. 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. Canada's Joannie Rochette in the ladies figure skating event at the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 23, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. 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!? Aug 12, 2022 - Explore Randy Lantz's board "Katarina Witt", followed by 399 people on Pinterest. You've hit your max! The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. The rule is known tomany as "The Katarina Rule," and it states that"At ISU Championships, the Olympic Winter Games, and International Competitions, the clothing of the Competitors must be modest, dignified and appropriate for athletic competition not garish or theatrical in design. South Korean pairs team Tae Hwa Yang (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black) at the 2002 Olympics. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. "[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. The following is Rule 501 in the [ISU Special Regulations & Technical Rules handbook, last updated in 2016: In short, women's costumes don't have to follow a specific formula. Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. As soon as the skirt-only ice age melted away, Russian skater Irina Slutskaya wore a fiery bodysuit at the 2006 Olympics. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. 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. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. 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. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. Cohen refers to the red velvet and gold embroidered dress that she won her silver medal in at the Turin Olympics as her "Romeo and Juliet dress.". . Gold medalist at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, Tenley Albright wore a dress with a panel-pleated skirt. Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. ESPN dove deep into this moment in a documentary called The Diplomat which, if you can get your hands on a copy, is a great journey into the intersection of sports, politics, and the Cold War. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. The opening credits are a dream. Become a Cosmo member to read and save unlimited articles. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. 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. 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. Thomas was the bronze medalist in the event. As a result, the ISU instituted "The Katarina Rule." Ivanova, of the Soviet Union, at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . Now that is some ooey-gooey dance pop music bliss that may or may not make any sense, but just try not listening to this song and feeling like you can land a double salchow right in the middle of Limelight or Palladium. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. 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. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners.