The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. 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. Can This Workout Dress Really Outperform Leggings? - Vogue 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. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. 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. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". 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. 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. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. 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. 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. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. These Twitter reactions sum it up. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. Katarina Witt Bio: One of Figure Skating's All-Time Greats So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Her response? Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. 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. Figure Skating Championships. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. 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. 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. 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. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule. 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. 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. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. 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. 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 . Not only do the athletes put on an impressive display of grace and skill, they also dazzle us with their glittering costumes. 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). I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. But back in 1988 . Kristi Yamaguchi opted for a long sleeved gold brocade dress for the Olympic Games in Albertville, France the year she took home the gold medal. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. 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 40 Most Gorgeous Figure Skating Outfits in Olympic History 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. There was one scandalous moment at the 1988 Winter Olympics that changed the rules of competitive figure skating costumery for a decade-and-a-half, anyways. Thomas was the bronze medalist in the event. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. 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. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. 25 Sizzling Outfit Ideas Perfect for V-Day. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. Katarina Witt; Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. 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. 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). 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. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. Like the Adele of figure skaters, if youre imagining that Adele picture where shes holding 1,400 Grammy Awards. Dancing On Ice judge Katarina Witt's cleavage sparks feud between 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. 1. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. In fact, at the 1924 games in Chamonix, France, women wore full skirts with sweaters and hats that didnt look much different from their everyday clothes (which makes sense, considering Olympic skating rinks used to be outdoors). Figure Skating Championships. 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. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. 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. 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. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. [1] 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 ice rink becomes the runway for female figure skaters 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. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. . Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. 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. 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. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. 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. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, figure skating. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. When the first Olympic figure skating competition launched in the 1920s, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. 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. American skater Hayes Alan Jenkins in a chunky sweater and pants at the 1956 Olympics. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt - ABC News 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. Not even mad about this first two jumps. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. 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 . The American athlete skating her short program at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. 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. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. How to design a figure skating dress for the Winter Olympics Lia Beck. even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dres, boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me., an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt, The East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. The event led to a change of costume-rules, which got their latest update in 2016. 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. "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. . 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. 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. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. South Korea's Lily Lyoonjung Lee in a cute, short-skirted, pink piece at the 1994 Winter Olympics. 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. 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. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. 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. Just like that time Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey showed up at the VMAs wearing the same dress. I'm with it. 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. 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. Skaters also favor illusion mesh and backless designs that mirror dresses we see on runways and red carpets. 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. 1988: Katarina Witt wins her second Olympic gold in thrilling - WFLA The charismatic Witt defined the sport in the 1980s with her flirtatious and graceful performances. 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). 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.". Basically, the flesh colored panels make itseem like skaters are showing a lot of skin, without actually showing any and thus breaking the rules.