Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu made a spectacular entrance at the 2026 Met Gala, wearing a breathtaking dress adorned with 15,000 glass bubbles. The Chinese-American athlete and model, who recently secured two silver medals and one gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, graced the red carpet on Monday in a striking short bubble dress designed by Iris van Herpen. Known for her pioneering "tech-couture" creations, the Dutch designer blends high fashion with cutting-edge technology to produce unique, avant-garde pieces.
A Dress That Blends Art and Technology
Gu revealed to ESPNW that the dress featured 15,000 glass bubbles and required an astonishing 2,550 hours to craft. "There's technology under the dress that enables reality to kind of come together with art," she explained. "It's a play on surrealism, a play on movement, a play on nature, on fun, on whimsy." The ensemble was complemented by transparent heels, and her accessories were minimal: a small pair of earrings partially hidden by her chic, messy updo, while dozens of bubbles appeared to float around her, adding to the ethereal effect.
Sports as Self-Expression
When asked by ESPNW why sports are considered art, the decorated skier responded succinctly: "It's about self-expression. It's about breaking boundaries and about being the truest version of yourself." Gu, who is the most decorated freestyle skier in history, has amassed six medals from six events across the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the sport.
