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. The American skater performing during the women's free skating program at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. 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. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. 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. I'm with it. In this interview, we will delve into what makes Dinamo []. The Norwegian skater on the ice at Chamonix during the Winter Olympics in 1924 when. 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. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". The guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. When the first Olympic figure skating competition launched in the 1920s, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. 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. The American skater performing her free skating program during the ladies singles event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. 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. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. Chin, of the U.S., performing at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. 4. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. 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. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. 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. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, hot figure skaters. Gold medalist at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, Tenley Albright wore a dress with a panel-pleated skirt. 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 rule was repealed . Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. Brian Boitano of the United States in a billowing, V-neck blouse and skintight pants at the 1988 Olympics. Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". Like the Adele of figure skaters, if youre imagining that Adele picture where shes holding 1,400 Grammy Awards. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best 90s dance song no one has ever heard. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. From then on, hemlines continued to go shorter. Real good. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. 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. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. 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. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. Katarina Witt Evening Dress. . Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Then why dont more women wear pants? 3. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. 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. Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. But back in 1988 . Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. 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. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". 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. The issue was so popular it became the first issue of Playboy to sell out since the 1950s, flying off the racks of Hudson News, truck stop shelves, or your local Borders or Media Play (RIP). 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 Women Skating for Team USA at the Olympics, This Vermont Family Is an Olympic Skiing Dynasty, Princess Anne's Message to British Olympians, 11 Royals Who Have Competed in the Olympics, Simone Biles Reflects On Withdrawal From Tokyo, Meet Some of Team USA's Track and Field Stars, Bruce Springsteens Daughter Wins Silver Medal, 33 Famous Ice Skating Outfits Worthy of Their Very Own Gold Medal. 2. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. 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. 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. Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. . Sumners won the silver medal in the event. 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. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Prev 5 of 8 Next . As the years progressed, figure skating fashion evolved both men and women's costumes got shorter, more embellished, and more dramatic. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. At the peak of her professional skating career, Katarina Witt could have expected to earn in the region $1.5 million a year. 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 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. 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. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. 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. 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.. 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. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. . 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. Womens figure skating is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning events to watch at the Olympics. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . 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. 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. 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. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. Lia Beck. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Osmond, from Canada, competing in figure skating team event during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. 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. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. Janet Lynn, Beatrix Schuba and Karin Magnussen, 1972. 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. 5. 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. 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. Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? The opening credits are a dream. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. 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. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. Accessories and props are not permitted. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. "[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. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. 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. , She might have had no intention of making this into a spectacle, but it certainly will arouse the judges, Dr. Ruth said. 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. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. The event led to a change of costume-rules, which got their latest update in 2016. However, at the 1988 Olympics, the official Olympic dress code rules changed in response to the "scandalous" outfit worn by a competitor from East Germany named Katarina Witt. info); born 3 December 1965) is a German former figure skater. As a result, the ISU instituted "The Katarina Rule." Or as Bustle put it, Katarina Wittts butt cheek single-handedly changed the figure skating dress code for over a decade. 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 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. And speaking of dresses, Witt's '88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Photo: Getty Images Figure Skating Championships. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. 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. 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. 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. 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. and even more daring ensemble. 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. Hamill's red dress and wedge haircut instantly became iconic after she nabbed a silver Olympic medal in Innsbruck, Austria. 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. 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, 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. 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. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. The key takeaway: she was good. Oct 19, 2021 - Explore Rich Hassey's board "Katarina Witt" on Pinterest. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. 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!) The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. "We're here to skate in a dress, not a G-string," a rival coach reportedly . Ito, of Japan, performing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville, France. 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. 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. Competing for her 9th consecutive U.S. Champion title, Michelle Kwan wore a one-shouldered gold sequin dress. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. 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. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. And they have. The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. 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. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. These days, embellishments are still popular as ever and short skirts are still No. 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. 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. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. 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. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. 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. Bonaly finished in fifth place. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. The West German skater performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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.. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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'.