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 West German skater performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. 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 guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. Figure Skating Championship. Figure Skating Championships. 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.. The Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. July 26, 2001 -- When Katarina Witt glided onto the ice, the world watched every move of the beautiful East German figure skater. In this interview, we will delve into what makes Dinamo []. What do you do after you win two gold medals? Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. The event led to a change of costume-rules, which got their latest update in 2016. 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'. 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'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. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. 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. 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. 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. 5. The rule was repealed . Katerina looked like a . Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt. 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. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. . A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. That is how serious it is. Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. American skater Polina Edmunds wore a purple bodysuit in the ladies short program during the 2018 Prudential U.S. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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. The mostly vast amount of crystals is also affecting the competitors performance. Her response? Become a Cosmo member to read and save unlimited articles. 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. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. 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. has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. She won the gold medal. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. 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. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. 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. Kwan won the silver medal. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. And speaking of dresses, Witts 88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. 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. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Then why dont more women wear pants? "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. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. American figure skater Debi Thomas in a black jumpsuit at the 1988 Olympics. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Later in the 1980s, figure skater Katarina Witt caught flack for her "scandalous" low V-neck outfit and champion sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner raised hell for her neon, one-legged running . 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. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. You know, the kind that punctuate songs by Cathy Dennis, The Real McCoy, Le Click, etc. Thus was born Ice Wars: The USA vs. Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. 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. Not only do the athletes put on an impressive display of grace and skill, they also dazzle us with their glittering costumes. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. Just like that time Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey showed up at the VMAs wearing the same dress. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. 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. 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. 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. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. Arakawa, of Japan, 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. 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). Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. 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. Did she lose points for her pants? As a result, the ISU instituted "The Katarina Rule." This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. So, Mit might be onto something. 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. Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. Its free! Bustle reached out to The International Skater's Union for comment on these rules, but has not received a response. Prev 5 of 8 Next . In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. 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. 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. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. Competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018, in Gangneung, South Korea. Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. Wish she could've done better #Olympics. 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. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. As soon as the skirt-only ice age melted away, Russian skater Irina Slutskaya wore a fiery bodysuit at the 2006 Olympics. 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. 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. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Search instead in. 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. Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. Sparkly and pants . 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. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Both of these hardcore costume bans were lifted in 2003, and since then, the ISU has kept the Olympic figure skating dress code rules relatively subjective at least for women. French ice-dancing couple Gwendal Peizerat (in a billowy blouse) and Marina Anissina (in a dress that gave the illusion that her whole side was naked) at a competition in 2001. 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. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. 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. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. 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. Yes, long before anyone would break the internet, Witt and her butt cheeks broke the magazine racks. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. The South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. Real good. and even more daring ensemble. Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. Get ready todiscoverfestivals, must-see performances, and hidden gallery shows. 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 even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. The Forward Calendar March is bursting with the most vibrant and inspiring cultural events. 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? Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. And they have. 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. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Johnny Weir selected a V-neck embellished jumpsuit complete with white gloves for his routine at the Vancouver Olympics. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. 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. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. Albright of the United States displaying her grace and technique during her free skating program at the 1956 Winter Olympics. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. Sweet dreams of rhythm and triple lutzes! But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? 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. 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