Alix Earle is a cover girl. The social media star arrived at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Launch Party held at the Hard Rock Times Square on Thursday in New York with her feet wrapped in gold. Earle was one of four cover stars for the magazine’s 2026 issue, which hit select newsstands on May 14 and will be out nationally on May 25.
The TikTok star opted for Gianvito Rossi’s Gwyneth style, a 105mm stiletto-heel sandal in rich metallic gold. The shoes, which retail for $895, are crafted from a metallic-effect leather, which is 100 percent lamb leather.
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The Gwyneth 105 is an elegantly round-toe sandal with a 105mm stiletto heel. The open-toe design is defined by a multistrap knotted upper and a crisscross lacing-up detail that wraps around the ankle for added flair. Like all Gianvito Rossi designs, the shoes are handmade in Italy.
The luxury footwear designer also offers the shoes in a shorter heel version, the Gwyneth 85, which measures 3.3 inches. The brand also offers the Gwyneth sandals in metallic silver, black, white and a flat sandal version, which retails for $795.
Earle paired the lustrous heels with a Roberto Cavalli dress from the designer’s spring 2026 collection. The garment was a sheer, metallic crochet-style dress with fringe detailing. It featured a halter neck, sleeveless design and was made in a beige and gold material that complemented the shoes
Earle was joined at the event by her fellow cover stars, Nicole Williams English and Tiffany Haddish. Hilary Duff skipped the event due to a SiriusXM event she performed at on the same night. The cover stars all wore strappy heels to celebrate landing the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. Earle shot her photos in a daring Botswana photoshoot.
Haddish showcased the Flor de Maria Alexandria Gold Crystal Embellished Heeled Sandals, crafted with faux mirrored leather and crystals, a style she wore multiple times while promoting the cover in New York this week. The shoe features a finely crafted leather outsole and an insole with padded foam for comfort.
The sole narrows in front to a sharp point while the dainty embellished straps are arranged in an asymmetric design across the foot, and are held in place with a buckled ankle strap. The shoe balances on top of a towering four-inch stiletto heel and retails for $475. She paired the gold shoes with a red halterneck dress.
Williams English wore a fun ensemble, which included a gold V-neck halter top paired with an embellished and fringed green miniskirt. She paired the look with Tom Ford’s Satin T ankle strap sandal in a bright canary yellow shade. The shoes retail for $1,390 and are also available in black and bright purple.
The refined Tom Ford ankle-strap sandals are made in satin and feature a round toe shape, double adjustable straps, and a high 105 mm stiletto heel that is finished with signature T hardware. See the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover photos below.