), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. She was of course up against Thomas, and the drama was high as both Witt and Thomas chose music from Carmen to skate to, letting the media bill this like a professional wrestling bout: The Battle of the Carmens. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. Figure skaters shouldnt wear outfits that could arouse judges. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. The best might be her appearance in the 1998 Robert DeNiro-led movie Ronin. The South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. So, Mit might be onto something. 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. These days, embellishments are still popular as ever and short skirts are still No. Her response? Then why dont more women wear pants? Not only do the athletes put on an impressive display of grace and skill, they also dazzle us with their glittering costumes. The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Not even mad about this first two jumps. 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 judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. 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? The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. The West German skater performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. "We're here to skate in a dress, not a G-string," a rival coach reportedly . 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. You've hit your max! She won her first at the 1984 . Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! 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. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure Skating Championship. 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. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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 three medal winners Lynn of the U.S., Schuba of Austria, Magnussen of Canada in ladies singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, Feb. 7, 1972. The American skater performing her routine during the free skate at White Ring Arena during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. "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. 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. Adelina Sotnikova, gold medalist of the 2014 Olympic Games, modeled modern and edgy outfits that varied from the traditional figure skating costume like this red cut-out dress. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. and even more daring ensemble. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. 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. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. But after Katarina Witt famously competed in the 1998 Olympics in a scandalously short, feathery blue costume that officials deemed too revealing, the International Skating Union stepped in and put official dress code regulations in place. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. Promise. 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. 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. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. Figure Skating Championships. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Become a Cosmo member to read and save unlimited articles. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". 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.. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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. The mostly vast amount of crystals is also affecting the competitors performance. Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie wore a playful long sleeve black dress and beret for her routine at the Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, for which she won her third gold medal. 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. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. 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. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. I loved the French skater (Ma-Brnice Mit)'s awesome pants outfit and the Bey song. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. And they have. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. The Forward Calendar March is bursting with the most vibrant and inspiring cultural events. Mit emerged from the masses in a bodysuit with pants. 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. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. 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. 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. Lia Beck. 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. She won the gold medal. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. Yes, most competitors stick to the glitzy, skirted bodysuit situations that our brains automatically associate with figure skating but over the years, many have put variations on the classics. Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. 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. info); born 3 December 1965) is a German former figure skater. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. 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. 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. The so-called "Katarina rule" required female skaters to cover their "hips and posterior," and was instituted thanks to Katarina Witt's racy costume at the 1988 games. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. Sparkly and pants . Katarina Witt Evening Dress. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. Mit might prefer pants; she competed in the same costume at the womens short program dance during the Internationaux de France ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Grenoble, France, in November. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. 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. #Olympics, I dont care about how the skate goes, but Mae-Berenice Meit wearing pants and skating to Beyonc is a powerful thing. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. 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. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. Johnny Weir selected a V-neck embellished jumpsuit complete with white gloves for his routine at the Vancouver Olympics. I would say that in order to keep a certain decorum there should be some regulations on what type of dress is appropriate., Oddly enough in that same interview Dr. Ruth went on to describe how skiers make the best lovers. AP But after Katarina Witt famously competed in the 1998 Olympics in a scandalously short, feathery blue costume that officials deemed too revealing, the International Skating Union stepped in and put official dress code regulations in place. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics. 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. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. She won her first at the 1984 Sarajevo games and her second four years later at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. 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. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. 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. 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. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. 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. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. 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. One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. 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. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. 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. Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule.". The key takeaway: she was good. 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. At the beginning of her career, Dorothy Hamill stood out among her competitors with the understated and simple designs she chose for her skating costumes. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". The Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. 55 Outdoor Date Ideas You Won't Actually Hate, Turns Out, We're All Really Pissed About Money, The Very Best High-Waisted Jeans on the Internet, 30 Spring Cocktails to Shake Up This Weekend, 39 of the Best Bubble Butts, Bulges, and VPLs From the Rio Olympics. 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. The no-skirt ban was lifted in 2003, per The Boston Globe, and full leotards became acceptable; most recently, Mae Berenice Meite of France competed in Pyeongchang wearing a bedazzled unitard, while Russias Irina Slutskaya wore a sparkly one-piece at the 2006 Olympics. Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. 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!? 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. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. Ice skating costumes have often been a great example of what constitutes "sexy" attire maybe it's just the chill thrill of the rink, but skaters' attire has often been boundary-pushing (and, in olden times, modesty-pushing too). [1] Which brings us to 1988 and. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. Graceful figure skating twists and turns against a backdrop of NYC skyscrapers pair with Ella Fitzgerald crooning Autumn in New York, then suddenly break way to John Mellencamps and Meshell Ndegeocellos Wild Night and eight figure skaters going absolutely bananas on the ice, with Katarina Witt wearing a Robin Hood outfit. 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. 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. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. Chin, of the U.S., performing at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. Aside from winning a gold medal for East Germany at the Calgary Olympics, Katarina Witt caused quite the uproar over the short hemline on her blue feathered dress. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. 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. Surya Bonaly of France in a low-cut, bare-armed number at the 1998 Olympics. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. The American skater competing in the ladies free program during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Salt Lake Ice Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Like the Adele of figure skaters, if youre imagining that Adele picture where shes holding 1,400 Grammy Awards. Competing for her 9th consecutive U.S. Champion title, Michelle Kwan wore a one-shouldered gold sequin dress. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? Which Olympic Figure Skaters Are Actually Dating? South Korea's Lily Lyoonjung Lee in a cute, short-skirted, pink piece at the 1994 Winter Olympics. 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. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. As a result, the ISU changed dress code rules and introduced The Katarina Rule, which stated that womens hips, midriffs and buttocks had to be covered with a skirt, as noted by The Atlantic. Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. 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. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. 1. Or as Bustle put it, Katarina Wittts butt cheek single-handedly changed the figure skating dress code for over a decade. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. Thomas was the bronze medalist in the event. 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. The guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. 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). Keep scrolling to see the stunning evolution of womens figure skating costumes through the years. 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. Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in a silver disco outfit with a sheer panel down the front at the 2002 Games. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. 2023 Getty Images. 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. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. Skaters also favor illusion mesh and backless designs that mirror dresses we see on runways and red carpets. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders.