Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. 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. 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. The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. 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. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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). 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. Performing during the free program of the ladies singles figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, Feb. 21, 2002, during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. Ito, of Japan, performing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville, France. Bonaly finished in fifth place. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. . 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. Did she lose points for her pants? 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. "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. 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. 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. 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). Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. Sweet dreams of rhythm and triple lutzes! Promise. . She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. 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! She won the gold medal. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. In this interview, we will delve into what makes Dinamo []. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. But back in 1988 . The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. Witt, and the only woman to beat her since winning. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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 Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. 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. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 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. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. 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'. Witt won the gold at the 84 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, then for the next four years flip-flopped with American figure skater Debi Thomas to be the best in the world. Or as Bustle put it, Katarina Wittts butt cheek single-handedly changed the figure skating dress code for over a decade. 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.. These days, embellishments are still popular as ever and short skirts are still No. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. 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. 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. Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. 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. 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. 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. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. The controversy here was how short and skimpy the \"skirt\" part of Katarina's outfit was, especially in the front. Not possible. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. 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. Sarah Hughes wore a lavender dress with a beaded bodice for the Salt Lake City Olympics, at which she won a gold medal in the ladies free program. The South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. 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. And speaking of dresses, Witt's '88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. 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. Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox. 2023 Getty Images. Performing during the short program of the ladies singles figure skating event on Feb. 21, 2006, at at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. 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 Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. These Twitter reactions sum it up. 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. The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. 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. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. 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. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. 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. Kwan won the silver medal. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. Figure Skating Championship. Then why dont more women wear pants? not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! The event led to a change of costume-rules, which got their latest update in 2016. Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. For real. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. Get ready todiscoverfestivals, must-see performances, and hidden gallery shows. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. Skaters like Nancy Kerrigan and Frances Surya Bonaly skated in costumes designed by Vera Wang and Christian Lacroix, respectively. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. "We're here to skate in a dress, not a G-string," a rival coach reportedly . 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. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. 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. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt. 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. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Figure Skating Championships. 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. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. 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. Accessories and props are not permitted. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. 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. She won four world titles (1984-85 and 1987 . Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. 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. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. From some of the earliest modern Olympic games to this week's events in Beijing, here are the most iconic figure skating outfits to have ever graced the ice. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. and even more daring ensemble. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics.