Last night, figure skater Alysa Liu\u2014who won Team USA<\/a> the gold medal and charmed the world at this year\u2019s Winter Olympics\u2014marked her very first time attending the 2026 Met Gala<\/a>. And this year\u2019s theme, \u201cCostume Art<\/a>,\u201d exploring the centrality of the dressed body, seems ready-made for a pro athlete of her pedigree. \u201cI love the theme, especially as an athlete, because for me it\u2019s all about the relationship with clothing and our bodies as an artistic medium,\u201d says Liu, who is no stranger to sporting an expressive look on the ice. \u201cI\u2019m a figure skater\u2014we are the winter artistic sport!\u201d<\/p>\n Hitting the red carpet<\/a>, Liu wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown: a strapless, full-skirted design\u2014rendered in a deep red hue\u2014made of satin and tulle. Liu\u2019s stylist, Katie Qian, said the design originated in close consideration of this year\u2019s theme and dress code<\/a>, Fashion Is Art. \u201cWe thought these themes were perfect because Alysa represents the intersection of both,\u201d Qian says. \u201cShe is an elite athlete who uses her body every day in training and performance, and she is also a true artist when developing her programs.\u201d<\/p>\n My first Met Gala was crazy but amazing.<\/p>\n <\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n To help bring their vision to life, they teamed up with Louis Vuitton to manifest a sculptural dress. A main inspiration for the silhouette? Liu\u2019s very own athletic form. \u201cWe wanted Louis Vuitton to help us elegantly reference vascularity, cell structure, and muscle tissue, which are reflected in the red hue as well as the detailed ruffles,\u201d Qian says. \u201cIt also happens to emulate how ice is carved when figure skating! The dress perfectly frames the feet and accentuates the curves, and we are thrilled with how it turned out.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/assets.vogue.com\/photos\/69f9f7472e204023cc7bba4b\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/ALYSA_1.jpg\"\/)
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