Lisa Rinna’s 11-pound human hair gown sparks backlash at 2026 Oscars: ‘Anything for attention’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lisa Rinna faced backlash after she literally swept the red carpet with her unconventional ensemble.

'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum turned heads at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 2026 Oscars viewing party on March 15, stepping out in a gown made from roughly 11 pounds of dark brown human hair.

Lisa Rinna stuns in 11-pound human hair gown

Rinna’s outfit was impossible to ignore. The couture piece wrapped around her body in thick, rope-like strands, forming a strapless bodice before cascading all the way down into a full-length skirt made entirely of flowing locks.

The 62-year-old seemed completely sold on the concept from the start. She couldn’t contain her excitement in a video posted to her Instagram Story.

"Oh my god, are you kidding me? Look at how gorgeous," she said while admiring the design, according to E! News. "That's gonna be the best hair day of my life. I've never had so much hair. It's amazing. My iconic hair, from my head to my toes." 

Rinna attended the star-studded event alongside her husband, actor Harry Hamlin, accessorizing the ensemble with a sparkling diamond necklace. She kept her signature voluminous pixie haircut intact.

Rinna attended the star-studded event alongside her husband, actor Harry Hamlin, further accessorizing the ensemble with a sparkling diamond necklace. She kept her signature voluminous pixie haircut intact.

Christian Cowan explains the hair couture design

The gown didn’t come together overnight. Designed by Christian Cowan in collaboration with haircare brand TRESemmé, the piece was a full-blown production.

"With the TRESemmé A-List Hair Couture Dress, I wanted to put hair front and center," Cowan said in a press release. "The hair is not the finishing touch of this look — it is the look."

The project reportedly required a team of 16 people and 152 hours of work to complete.

Cowan said the concept was also about spotlighting the often-overlooked collaboration between hairstylists and designers during big red carpet moments.

"This project was about celebrating that relationship and showing how hair artistry and fashion design can come together in a really unexpected way," he explained.

When it came to picking the right person to debut the look, Cowan didn’t hesitate.

"I wanted to celebrate the beauty of Lisa, she's a tour de force," he told People leading up to the event. "And she's so known for her iconic hair, so it felt fun to play with that." 

Fans and critics react to Lisa Rinna’s hair gown

While Rinna was clearly loving her hairdo, critics on social media weren’t exactly reaching for a comb to get on board.

"Better if donated for cancer patients," one offered.

"Celebrities and doing too much, was all that really necessary?" another wondered.

"This just topped Lady Gaga's meat dress as disgusting. Where did they get the hair from? I just can't with her anymore. She needs to be canceled and canceled soon. Hey Andy please do not bring her back for anything. Thank you!" someone else fumed.

"Eleven pounds of human hair on a dress?! Just when I thought Lisa Rinna couldn't get any creepier, she goes and does this," a comment read. "The moment I realized it, I was completely creeped out. What on earth is happening? Then again it's Lisa Rinna and she's crazy so I guess not surprised."

Another added, "Anything for attention. She is a nut."

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