Eileen Gu Shines in a Dreamy Gown That Takes Flight
EDITOR’S NOTE: The ‘Look of the Week’ series highlights standout outfits that have captured public attention over the past week.
Eileen Gu made a striking appearance in front of the Louvre Pyramid this week, donning a breathtaking gown adorned with diaphanous wings. The Olympic athlete showcased her couture style at the museum’s second annual fundraiser, Le Grand Dîner du Louvre, scheduled alongside Paris Fashion Week. This event followed closely on the heels of Gu’s impressive performance, where she secured three medals at the 2026 Winter Games.
The stunning gown, featuring a peach-plum gradient, was designed by Iris van Herpen, a Dutch fashion designer known for her high-fantasy aesthetic that emphasizes fluidity and often defies conventional form.
Although van Herpen’s collection “Sympoiesis,” unveiled last summer in Paris, focused on the delicate interplay between ecology and technology—imagining garments with elements like bioluminescent algae—Gu’s halter gown resonated with the museum’s iconic Winged Victory of Samothrace, a celebrated sculpture that embodies both female strength and grace.
Reflecting on her outfit, Gu stated in a recent Instagram post, “I suppose life does imitate art.” Van Herpen added, “It was moving to see you in dialogue with the Winged Victory sculpture, two embodiments of female strength and grace across time.”
Gu photographed before the event.
The gown is from Iris van Herpen’s most recent couture collection.
This year’s Le Grand Dîner had a nighttime theme, titled Le Louvre, la nuit. The guest list included notable figures such as Diane Kruger, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Alexa Chung, all showcasing their own unique styles. However, the event has yet to attain the level of spectacle seen at the Met Gala in New York City, where celebrities often navigate complex thematic dress codes. Nevertheless, Gu’s interpretive gown may foreshadow trends for this year’s Met Gala, which will revolve around the theme “Fashion is Art,” inviting attendees to draw inspiration from the vast collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Gu’s appearance further cements her influential status in the fashion sphere, following her recent attendance at Prada’s show in Milan, where she was joined by WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The transition from Olympic competition to high fashion has become increasingly common, as seen with fellow athletes like gymnasts Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles, who also embraced runway opportunities post-Games.
In recent years, designers have increasingly sought collaborations with top athletes, and Gu represents a significant example of this trend. Her rising star has led her to establish connections with luxury brands, including a notable partnership with Louis Vuitton, showcased during her runway debut at the brand’s 2023 Cruise show. Gu has articulated that sports and fashion share much in common, and her collaboration with van Herpen highlights a shared commitment to pushing creative boundaries in both fields.
