Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. 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. Keep scrolling to see the stunning evolution of womens figure skating costumes through the years. The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 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. Which brings us to 1988 and. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. 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. Mit emerged from the masses in a bodysuit with pants. 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. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . 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. American skater Michelle Kwan in a flowing pink piece with a sheer illusion triangle top in 2000. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. #Olympics, I dont care about how the skate goes, but Mae-Berenice Meit wearing pants and skating to Beyonc is a powerful thing. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. [1] The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. 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. Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox. Ivanova, of the Soviet Union, at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. Its free! Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. 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. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 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. Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. 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. 1988: Katarina Witt wins her second Olympic gold in thrilling - WFLA 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 . 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. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. In the words of Beyonc, the pants-clad and badass skater is repping for the girls who taking over the world.. Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt Clothes Looks - StyleBistro These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. 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. 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. 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 during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt - ABC News The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. and even more daring ensemble. Lia Beck. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Skaters also favor illusion mesh and backless designs that mirror dresses we see on runways and red carpets. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Katarina Witt Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. What not to wear: The rules of fashion on the ice | MPR News The rule was repealed . 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. Katarina Witt (GDR) - 1988 Calgary, Figure Skating, Ladies' Short Prev 5 of 8 Next . Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". 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. 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. 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? With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. 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. 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. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. 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. 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. 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. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. 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. 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. Katarina Witt: A Pop Culture Triple (Toe Loop) Threat In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. 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. 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. Katarina Witt blames her massive cleavage on 'sitting down' - mirror A post shared by Time traveler she/her (@radiantlydead), A post shared by Jim Botticelli (@dirtyoldboston), A post shared by 90s figure skating icons (@90sfigureskating), A post shared by Margarita Voronkovskaya (@zhem_chug), A post shared by HARERUYA (@azayakanablue), A post shared by Figure Skating Photographer (@figureskatingphotographer), A post shared by Emily (@timelady12345678), A post shared by Figure skating lover (@figure.skating.aesthetics), A post shared by Kamila Valieva (@kamilavalieva26), A post shared by (@chernyshenko_sasha_fs), A post shared by Eric Celrosu (@eric_celrosu), A post shared by Alina and Sasha forever (@zagi_trusova_team), A post shared by Bradie Tennell (@bradietennell), A post shared by (lime)2020.03.31am6:13 (@sunshine_see1), A post shared by Evgenia Medvedev (@jmedvedevaj), A post shared by Mariah Bell Fan (@teammariahbell), A post shared by Figure Skating Fans (@em_kc_mh_mb_fanpage), A post shared by Amber Glenn (@amberglenniceskater), A post shared by Alysa Liu Fan Account (@team_alysaliu), A post shared by Vogue Australia (@vogueaustralia), A post shared by Feeling | Mathieu Caron (@feelingmathieucaron). Basically, the flesh colored panels make itseem like skaters are showing a lot of skin, without actually showing any and thus breaking the rules. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. 23.02.2018. While competing in her third and last Olympic Games ever, Surya Bonaly took the ice in a blue and gold beaded fringe dress. Did she lose points for her pants? The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. 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. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The American athlete skating her short program at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. 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. Womens figure skating is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning events to watch at the Olympics. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. The best might be her appearance in the 1998 Robert DeNiro-led movie Ronin. 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. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. German figure skater Katarina Witt is known as one of the greatest of all time in her sport, thanks in part to her back-to-back Olympic gold medals. 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. In Olympic figure skating, avoiding a costume malfunction is key to Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Katarina Witt - Wikipedia 33 Ice Skating Outfits Worthy of Their Very Own Gold Medal 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. 1. 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. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. 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. So, Mit might be onto something. 140 Katarina Witt ideas | katarina witt, figure skater, figure skating Bonaly finished in fifth place. 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. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. 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. And speaking of dresses, Witts 88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. My dressmaker loaded up my dress with sparkles so you never knew when the dress ended. 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. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. 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. (That butt cheek took home its second gold medal though, winning the Battle of the Carmens, and it wouldnt be the end of said butt cheeks foray into the history books. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. 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. The American skater performing her routine during the free skate at White Ring Arena during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. 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. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Katarina Witt Evening Dress | Katarina witt, Royal blue evening dress We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. And when you do, you are sure to notice that the sport offers the rare combination of athleticism and fashion sensibility. 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. 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. Bustle reached out to The International Skater's Union for comment on these rules, but has not received a response. Sweet dreams of rhythm and triple lutzes! Katarina Witt even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! These Twitter reactions sum it up. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". 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. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. 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. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. Just like that time Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey showed up at the VMAs wearing the same dress. However, those glimmering crystals and sheer panels aren't just deployed for ornamental purposes they actually serve as bulwarks against immodesty and point deductions. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. Skaters like Nancy Kerrigan and Frances Surya Bonaly skated in costumes designed by Vera Wang and Christian Lacroix, respectively. 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.". Katarina Witt's infamous blue - Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Facebook 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. The American skater performing her free skating program during the ladies singles event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. . American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. 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 regulation dictated that it was mandatory for women to wear a skirt that covered their hips and butt, and also required that women covered their midriffs. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Sumners won the silver medal in the event. I'm with it. And that right there feels worth at least another gold medal for Witt. These days, embellishments are still popular as ever and short skirts are still No. 5. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Then why dont more women wear pants? Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in a suit at the Olympic Games in 1908. 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. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. Not only do the athletes put on an impressive display of grace and skill, they also dazzle us with their glittering costumes. Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The key takeaway: she was good. Become a Cosmo member to read and save unlimited articles. 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. She won her first at the 1984 . The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? 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. 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. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "[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. Katarina Witt | Biography, 1988 Olympics, Ronin, & Facts 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.