A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. 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. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, hot figure skaters. In this interview, we will delve into what makes Dinamo []. 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 judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. 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. Not even mad about this first two jumps. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, figure skating. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 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 mostly vast amount of crystals is also affecting the competitors performance. (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. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. 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. 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. In terms of decoration, most skating outfits were quite plain during the World War II era, as fabric shortages led skaters to favor simple silhouettes with less fabric and little embellishment, according to Insider. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. The American skater performing her free skating program during the ladies singles event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. 23.02.2018. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. American skater Hayes Alan Jenkins in a chunky sweater and pants at the 1956 Olympics. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. 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. If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. 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. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. 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. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. Witt, and the only woman to beat her since winning. 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. She also wore pants for her free skate at the 2014 Olympics the unitard was similar, but the sparkly top was silver, blue, and black. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. 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. She won four world titles (1984-85 and 1987 . 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. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 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 skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. 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. 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. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. 1. Collect, curate and comment on your files. In the 1990s, another trend that emerged was designer costumes. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. 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. For $5.95 you could catch Katarina Witt baring it all or, if you were one of those who bought Playboy for the articles, you could read the latest story from Joyce Carol Oates or read 20 questions with Gore Vidal! 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. Then why dont more women wear pants? Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. 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. Which Olympic Figure Skaters Are Actually Dating? These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. 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.. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. Katarina Witt's blue costume caused a stir. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Unlike many other athletes at the winter Olympics, figure skaters aren't required to don official Olympics uniforms; instead, they're tasked with finding an outfit that is both artistically expressive and breathable and that's in addition to the pressure of executing a perfect routine. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. 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. . Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. 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. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. 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 American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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. 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.. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. 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. Of course were talking about Katarina Witt, the Olympic powerhouse who helped make figure skating among the most iconic sports during the last 40 years. 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!) 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. ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. She won her first at the 1984 . 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Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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). 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. (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. And the lyrics are Susan Powter-level inspiration: Just take the mirror and hold up highLook at yourself straight in the eyeYour moment of truth has finally arrivedSkate with me skate with meWe dont need tomorrow, no cause youll be far away Skate with me skate with meIf your heart says follow go and you can come along and skate with me. The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. The opening credits are a dream. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. 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. 4. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. 5. Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. , She might have had no intention of making this into a spectacle, but it certainly will arouse the judges, Dr. Ruth said. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. 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. 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. Blue feather costume that shows off too much butt cheek sold separately. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. South Korea's Lily Lyoonjung Lee in a cute, short-skirted, pink piece at the 1994 Winter Olympics. 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). 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. American skater Dorothy Hamill in a black and gold fringey design with a deep neckline in 1980.