Alysa Liu’s Earring Designer Calls Olympic Experience “Humbling and Joyful”

By Karen Dybis | March 03, 2026

Olympic gold medal Alysa Liu has wowed the world with her figure skating genius and sunny attitude, and one jeweler is watching with glee as Liu—wearing his earrings—mints her status as a style maker.

Liu wore Tokyo-based jeweler Hirotaka Inoue’s Dune and Spear earrings on and off the ice all the way up to the recently concluded Milan Cortina Winter Games. Inoue also spotted them on Liu as she performed her stunning medal-winning skate and stood on the Olympics podium to accept her gold.

Today, Liu is a media darling. She’s appearing on the Today show. She’s getting a shoutout on Saturday Night Live. She’s meeting movie stars. Her “halo” hairstyle has inspired murals, copycats, and lots of online discussion.

Her jewelry gets a lot of attention, too. The frenulum piercing in her mouth went viral not only for its unique look but because she did it herself (definitely not recommended by the American Dental Association). Liu’s ear styling even earned a parody in The Onion—a sure sign she’s entered the “household name” realm.

Alysa Liu Hirotaka Dune — *Alysa Liu wears the Hirotaka Dune earring ($690), made of oxidized sterling silver and 10k yellow gold.*

Inoue tells JCK in an email interview that he first met Liu—and got to share his Hirotaka brand with her—for the World Team Trophy championships last April in Tokyo, where she skated on the winning U.S. team wearing the Spear earrings.

“When we first saw Alysa skate, we were immediately drawn to her individuality, presence, and artistry,” Inoue says. “Her self-expression reflects a spirit that’s at our core. We fell in love with how joyful and down-to-earth she is, carrying strength and lightness with a real sense of ease, which reflects how I think about design.”

Inoue founded Hirotaka in 2010 in New York City, but the brand is based in Tokyo, so from the start it’s had a global perspective that is shaped by art, nature, and architecture.

“Jewelry is something very intimate. It lives close to the body, so seeing a piece worn at such a powerful and visible moment felt incredibly meaningful,” Inoue says of watching Liu win the Olympics with his jewelry on. “What touched me most was not only the scale of the stage, but how naturally the pieces became part of her presence.

Hirotaka Spear earring — *Hirotaka’s Sakura Spear door knocker earring ($1,040), in 10k and 18k yellow gold with pink agate and white calcedony, also made an appearance in Liu’s gold-medal skate.*

“They did not overpower her. They moved with her. In that sense, it felt like the jewelry had found the right person,” Inoue says. “As a designer, you hope your work will accompany important moments in people’s lives. Seeing it on the world stage, carried by someone with such grace and strength, was both humbling and joyful.”

The Dune and Spear designs both grew out of Inoue’s long-standing fascination with elemental forms found in nature. Dune echoes the smooth, wind-shaped curves of desert landscapes—soft yet powerful forms constantly remade by nature’s force. Spear, in contrast, is sharper, reflecting protection, focus, and forward movement.

“Together, they represent duality—softness and strength. Stillness and motion. Protection and vulnerability. The balance is something I often explore in my work,” Inoue says.

With the Olympics over, the ending to this incredible ride with Liu can feel melancholy, but Inoue says he is upbeat. Ultimately, he notes, Hirotaka is about personal expression rather than trends.

“Our pieces are designed to evolve with the wearer, to be collected, layered, and reinterpreted over time.”

Top: Alysa Liu wore Hirotaka’s Spear and Dune earrings when she skated to gold at the recent Winter Olympics in Italy. (Photo by Aflo; all photos courtesy of Hirotaka)