Laverne Cox’s Kanekalon Hair Dress Has Our Jaws on the Floor

While he knew some things about braiding hair from the women in his life, it was still a learning process to work with the product. Anyone who has dealt with kanekalon hair knows one thing: It tangles a lot. And Julian learned quickly. 

“Kanekalon, oh my goodness. That stuff is hard to use,” he says. “Literally take it out the packet, it gets tangled immediately, and then there’s hair all over my apartment. I think the first packet of hair was almost a complete waste because it got completely tangled and impossible to use.” 

But, using some of the knowledge he had from watching braiders, he armed himself with a spray bottle and hair wax to style the pieces. In total, the process took two days, which includes the detangling, braiding, and styling that was necessary to turn each pack of 84 inches into a look he wanted.

The skirt and train were the first things he and his team focused on. The hair forms loops and swoops on the skirt before flowing into the mermaid train made completely from the synthetic strands. He wanted the swoops on the skirt to mimic big waves and volume that you would see in the ’70s or ’80s. 

After the skirt was completed, the bodice and neckline were next. The blonde strands form the asymmetrical off-the-shoulder neckline. Six braids (that Julian braided prior to attaching to the bodice) run down the front of the black corset and seamlessly connect into the hair on the skirt for a dress that we are in complete awe of. 

Though Julian doesn’t know when he will be making a dress out of hair again he adored the entire experience and is open to letting his creative juices flow to create something else this beautiful. This gorgeous dress serves as a lovely reminder of the versatility of Black hairstyling — even when it’s not on a head. 

Read more stories about protective styles:

Now watch Gabourey Sidibe show off her 10-minute makeup look: