Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. Arakawa, of Japan, 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. The American athlete skating her short program at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. 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. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. 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. 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. During the Lillehammer Olympic Games, Nancy Kerrigan wore an elegant black and white dress with sheer sleeves that designer Vera Wang said "made her look tougher.". These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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 Winter Olympics in Beijing are in full swing, and let's face it, the global event brings out the inner sports fan in everyone. Katarina Witt of Germany in a strapless, arm-baring number at the 1988 Olympics. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. So, Mit might be onto something. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. Johnny Weir selected a V-neck embellished jumpsuit complete with white gloves for his routine at the Vancouver Olympics. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. 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. 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.. Figure Skating Championships. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". 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. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . 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. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? 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. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. That same year, American skater Debi Thomas made waves by wearing a full unitard for competition, which led to a ban on costumes without skirts. The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. Not only do the athletes put on an impressive display of grace and skill, they also dazzle us with their glittering costumes. 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. 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 . Aug 12, 2022 - Explore Randy Lantz's board "Katarina Witt", followed by 399 people on Pinterest. 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. Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. American figure skater Debi Thomas in a black jumpsuit at the 1988 Olympics. 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. 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. 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. American skater Michelle Kwan in a flowing pink piece with a sheer illusion triangle top in 2000. 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. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. 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. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. 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. 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. 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. The Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. 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. Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. . 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. 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. 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. The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. 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. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. For her routine, Shizuka Arakawa wore a unique dual-toned blue dress with sheer sleeves and low neckline. 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. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! Sweet dreams of rhythm and triple lutzes! Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. Without giving too much away, lets just say that if you like your double toe-loops with a dose of snipers and car chases, this movies for you. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". The controversy here was how short and skimpy the \"skirt\" part of Katarina's outfit was, especially in the front. "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. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. 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.". Hamill's red dress and wedge haircut instantly became iconic after she nabbed a silver Olympic medal in Innsbruck, Austria. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". 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. Kwan won the silver medal. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. Its free! The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. Meet Ma-Brnice Mit, an Olympic Figure Skater from France.- Dark skinned black woman- Wore pants for her routine- Skated to BeyoncHAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackGirlMagic #BlackExcellence #ItsTooColdForSkirtsOutThere pic.twitter.com/jYkEGqbkup, how she scored is irrelevant; Ma-Brnice Mit skating to a Beyonce mashup in pants is my new queen and 2018 mood #Olympics, I love everything about Ma-Brnice Mit's outfit. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. The Norwegian skater on the ice at Chamonix during the Winter Olympics in 1924 when. Photo: Getty Images Nancy Kerrigan looked chic in a simple sheer and ruched white dress as she took the podium for her bronze medal at the Albertville, France Olympic Games in 1992. Janet Lynn, Beatrix Schuba and Karin Magnussen, 1972. 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'. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. Debi Thomas dazzled in an embellished bubblegum pink outfit as she placed second at the U.S. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. 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. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. 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. Sparkly and pants . Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 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. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. She won her first at the 1984 . By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. 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!) has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion. In the 1990s, another trend that emerged was designer costumes. Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. The guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. 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. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. 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. 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. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. Thus was born Ice Wars: The USA vs. 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. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. In this interview, we dive into her [], Spring is in the air, and we cant wait to embrace all the excitement it brings! 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. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. 5. 1. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics. 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. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? Countless others have dug deep into Witts figure skating legacy. Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. 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. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. Skaters also favor illusion mesh and backless designs that mirror dresses we see on runways and red carpets. American skater Dorothy Hamill in a black and gold fringey design with a deep neckline in 1980. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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.. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. Oct 19, 2021 - Explore Rich Hassey's board "Katarina Witt" on Pinterest. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. In 1994, after the absolute blockbuster chaos of the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story, figure skating was riding an all-time high in the zeitgeist of American culture. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. 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. While competing in her third and last Olympic Games ever, Surya Bonaly took the ice in a blue and gold beaded fringe dress. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. 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. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. 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. She plays a figure skater, but dont let that fool you: theres some good acting chops on display, and her character plays a massive role in the films ending. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. Thomas was the bronze medalist in the event. For real. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. 3. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. 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!? Witt, and the only woman to beat her since winning. "[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. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Rare Photos of Katarina Witt Here are some rare and classic photos of two-time Olympic gold medalist skater Katarina Witt, who turned 50 on Dec. 3, 2015. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. She won the gold medal. . From wearing tighter-fitting suits in the early 1900s to showing a little kneecap in the 1930s, then flirting with fringe-y miniskirts and skintight catsuits in the 1980s to going all-out with cutouts in the 2000s. 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). Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. She won her first at the 1984 Sarajevo games and her second four years later at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. . 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. I'm with it. Bonaly finished in fifth place. Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best 90s dance song no one has ever heard. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. She won four world titles (1984-85 and 1987 . Basically, the flesh colored panels make itseem like skaters are showing a lot of skin, without actually showing any and thus breaking the rules. 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. 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.