Bold, striped hair has become as closely associated with Alysa Liu as the gravity-defying jumps that made her a world and Olympic champion. And for the 2026 ESPYs, her hairstylist, Anh Co Tran, made sure her hair remained inspo-pic-worthy, sweeping it into an intentionally imperfect updo that managed to balance elegance and edginess—just like the figure skater herself.

Because Liu’s hair was entirely off her neck, it perfectly complemented her black Louis Vuitton halter gown, fully revealing her back—a perfect opportunity to not only wear a beaded cross necklace backwards but also show off her cybersigilism-style lower back tattoo.

Tran says the hairstyle was concocted with Liu's outfit in mind, not to mention her overall vibe. "Inspired by a soft, undone French knot, I wanted to create a style that complemented the dress's sculptural draping while bringing the entire look together," he tells Allure. "I added natural texture and movement to her hair to give it a subtle edge, creating a finish that felt both effortlessly refined and embodied her free spirit."

Liu's high-contrast color also influenced exactly how the updo came together. "We certainly factored Alysa's signature stripes into this look to make sure the patterns of her hair were brought out when it was put up," Tran says. "I made sure the blonde part accentuated the style."