As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. 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. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. I'm with it. July 26, 2001 -- When Katarina Witt glided onto the ice, the world watched every move of the beautiful East German figure skater. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. 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.". France's Ma-Brnice Mit skated IN PANTS, and ended her Beyonc medley with "Run the World (Girls)". 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). By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Then why dont more women wear pants? But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. My dressmaker loaded up my dress with sparkles so you never knew when the dress ended. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Gold medalist at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, Tenley Albright wore a dress with a panel-pleated skirt. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. 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. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' (Everyman) dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom) on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. The rule was repealed . So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. Only Cosmo members can save this exclusive article. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. 3. Katarina Witt even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. 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). During her figure skating routine at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. , She might have had no intention of making this into a spectacle, but it certainly will arouse the judges, Dr. Ruth said. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. However, those glimmering crystals and sheer panels aren't just deployed for ornamental purposes they actually serve as bulwarks against immodesty and point deductions. Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. You know, the kind that punctuate songs by Cathy Dennis, The Real McCoy, Le Click, etc. The guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Which brings us to 1988 and. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. 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.". 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. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. 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 . 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. 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. So, Mit might be onto something. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Sparkly and pants . Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. For real. 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. Bonaly finished in fifth place. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. In the 1990s, another trend that emerged was designer costumes. 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. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. What do you do after you win two gold medals? 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. Mit expressively floated and twirled around the ice winning the hearts of the world, despite her fall, with her boundary-pushing music (this is the first Olympics at which skaters are allowed to use music with lyrics!) 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. Lia Beck. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. 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. Keep scrolling to see the stunning evolution of womens figure skating costumes through the years. 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. If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. 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. The American skater performing her routine during the free skate at White Ring Arena during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best 90s dance song no one has ever heard. American skater Michelle Kwan in a flowing pink piece with a sheer illusion triangle top in 2000. The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. 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. 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. 4. 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. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Promise. But behind the curtain, her East . Sweet dreams of rhythm and triple lutzes! South Korea's Yuna Kim performs in the Ladies' Free skating program at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, during the 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 2010. 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. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. 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.. Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Ladies' Short Program - Re-posting another one of the videos the IOC had filed copyright infringement and had me taking it down. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. 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. 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 charismatic Witt defined the sport in the 1980s with her flirtatious and graceful performances. One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. Brian Boitano of the United States in a billowing, V-neck blouse and skintight pants at the 1988 Olympics. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. 23.02.2018. 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. In 1936, though, Norwegian skater Sonja Henie changed the game when she competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline. . Surya Bonaly of France in a low-cut, bare-armed number at the 1998 Olympics. The key takeaway: she was good. Hamill's red dress and wedge haircut instantly became iconic after she nabbed a silver Olympic medal in Innsbruck, Austria. 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. and even more daring ensemble. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. Not possible. 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. Search instead in. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. Secret Tapes of Katarina Witt. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. 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. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. . 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. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. 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. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. Skaters like Nancy Kerrigan and Frances Surya Bonaly skated in costumes designed by Vera Wang and Christian Lacroix, respectively. 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. 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. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. You've hit your max! That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. 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.