These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. Johnny Weir selected a V-neck embellished jumpsuit complete with white gloves for his routine at the Vancouver Olympics. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. Surya Bonaly of France in a low-cut, bare-armed number at the 1998 Olympics. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. 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.". 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. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt Clothes Looks - StyleBistro 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. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! 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. 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. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". 33 Ice Skating Outfits Worthy of Their Very Own Gold Medal Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in a silver disco outfit with a sheer panel down the front at the 2002 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. Controversial Figure Skating Dresses Over the Years - Business Insider Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. Katarina Witt Evening Dress. 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, (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. Katarina Witt - Wikipedia The Norwegian skater on the ice at Chamonix during the Winter Olympics in 1924 when. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. But back in 1988 . How to design a figure skating dress for the Winter Olympics Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. Just like that time Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey showed up at the VMAs wearing the same dress. 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. Photo: Getty Images British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. 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. 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.. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, 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. 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. 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. 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. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. Real good. Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best 90s dance song no one has ever heard. Katarina Witt Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. 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). Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. Her response? 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. 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). Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. The rule was repealed . Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. The American skater performing her routine during the free skate at White Ring Arena during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. 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. Olympic Figure Skating Dresses Through the Years - Business Insider Tonya Harding's red dress at the Lillehammer Olympic Games has become infamous when the figure skater was controversially allowed to re-do her routine because of a broken lace. Photos: Most Daring Figure-Skating Outfits, Dresses of All Time - Insider Witt, and the only woman to beat her since winning. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. Mit emerged from the masses in a bodysuit with pants. Like the Adele of figure skaters, if youre imagining that Adele picture where shes holding 1,400 Grammy Awards. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. 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 design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. While competing in her third and last Olympic Games ever, Surya Bonaly took the ice in a blue and gold beaded fringe dress. 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. The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. 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'. 330 Best Katarina Witt ideas | katarina witt, figure skater - Pinterest From then on, hemlines continued to go shorter. 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. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. That is how serious it is. 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. 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. You've hit your max! 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. 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.". Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. 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.. Most Unique Figure Skating Dresses - Stadium Talk 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. Search instead in. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. In Olympic figure skating, avoiding a costume malfunction is key to Sumners won the silver medal in the event. But behind the curtain, her East . 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. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". 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 South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. Ito, of Japan, performing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville, France. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. AP 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. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. 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. Or as Bustle put it, Katarina Wittts butt cheek single-handedly changed the figure skating dress code for over a decade. The opening credits are a dream. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. 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. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. "I have been close for being docked points but, it has never happened," Marissa Castelli, an Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion tells Bustle. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. 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. Competing in the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 11, 2018. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter 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. The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. And her performance was just as dazzling as it would have been in a frilly, flouncy skirt, if not more so, because it was so bold. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 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. 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. Basically, the flesh colored panels make itseem like skaters are showing a lot of skin, without actually showing any and thus breaking the rules. As a result, the ISU instituted "The Katarina Rule." 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. The ice rink becomes the runway for female figure skaters At the peak of her professional skating career, Katarina Witt could have expected to earn in the region $1.5 million a year. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. 140 Katarina Witt ideas | katarina witt, figure skater, figure skating Katarina Witt of Germany in a strapless, arm-baring number at the 1988 Olympics. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? ), The 80s may have set the rink stage, but the 90s are where Katarina Witt really gets her pop culture creds. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. 1. In the 1990s, another trend that emerged was designer costumes. 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. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time - Cosmopolitan American skater Hayes Alan Jenkins in a chunky sweater and pants at the 1956 Olympics. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. What not to wear: The rules of fashion on the ice | MPR News Bustle reached out to The International Skater's Union for comment on these rules, but has not received a response. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. 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. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. Katarina Witt's infamous blue - Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Facebook Katarina Witt (GDR) - 1988 Calgary, Figure Skating, Ladies' Short Oct 19, 2021 - Explore Rich Hassey's board "Katarina Witt" on Pinterest. She won the gold medal. [1] You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. Katarina Witt | Biography, 1988 Olympics, Ronin, & Facts Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. 2. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. When the first Olympic figure skating competition launched in the 1920s, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. 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. What do you do after you win two gold medals? Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. and even more daring ensemble. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Ice Skating Outfits: Why Do Figure Skaters Wear Skirts Not Pants? Katarina Witt even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. 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. 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. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Accessories and props are not permitted. 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. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. 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. 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. 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. Get ready todiscoverfestivals, must-see performances, and hidden gallery shows. 3. 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. 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. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. 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. Blue feather costume that shows off too much butt cheek sold separately. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. 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.