Alysa Liu pairs a deeply draped Louis Vuitton halter gown with a black cross necklace, giving her 2026 ESPYS portrait an unexpectedly dark romantic direction.
Alysa Liu went darker for the ESPYS. Photographed before the July 15, 2026 ceremony in New York City, the Olympic figure skater wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown in a deep chocolate-brown tone, with a halter neckline and a dramatically draped front. The styling has glamour, but it isn’t the usual bright, glossy kind.
The gown’s deep plunge is framed by broad folds that fall loosely from the neck instead of sitting close to the torso. That drape gives Alysa Liu in Louis Vuitton styling a relaxed shape through the upper section, while the dark color keeps the open construction from becoming visually loud. Her backward-leaning pose adds to the effect, letting the fabric gather naturally rather than forcing it into a formal stance.
Then there is the black cross necklace. Its beaded cord sits close to the neck, placing the pendant directly above the plunging opening and making it the portrait’s clearest focal point. The accessory introduces a tougher, slightly gothic note without overwhelming the gown. Long silver earrings and a dark statement ring add smaller points of contrast.
The hair choice supports that direction. A loose topknot, blunt bangs and pale sections through the lower layers keep the beauty styling from feeling too traditional. The result fits celebrity photos that depend on personality rather than a standard standing pose or heavy backdrop.
Styled by Katie Qian, the look makes a convincing case for formal dressing that doesn’t rely on sparkle, volume or bright color. The soft drape and severe black pendant shouldn’t be natural partners, yet together they give Liu one of the evening’s most distinctive visual identities.
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