Lisa Rinna has left her housewife style behind, swapping sequined tops and skinny jeans for bold, extravagant looks. These days, you’ll find her in the front row at fashion shows, wearing eye-catching outfits and dramatic mushroom wigs. As she puts it, “It’s couture, honey. Look at the tag.”
Rinna admits that new cast members on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills made her rethink her style, but it was her departure from the Bravo show in 2023 that truly launched her fashion journey. “About two weeks after I left, my publicist called and asked if I’d like to go to Paris in four days for the Kenzo show—front row,” she recalls. “I had nothing else going on, so I said yes.”
That fall 2023 season changed everything for Rinna. As she stayed in Paris, the invitations kept coming. Since then, she’s become a front-row regular everywhere from buzzy New York runways like Marc Jacobs and Luar to Demna’s final Balenciaga show in Paris. She’s not the only fashion star in her family—her youngest daughter, Amelia Gray Hamlin, is also a runway regular, though Rinna admits she tries not to steal the spotlight. “I avoid many of her shows so she can have her own moment,” she says. (Her older daughter, Delilah, models too—the sisters were recently photographed by Steven Klein for Vogue’s September 2025 issue.)
Here, Lisa Rinna shares her earliest fashion memories, how Erika Jayne pushed her to elevate her style, and the show she dreams of attending.
Vogue: What’s your earliest fashion memory?
Lisa Rinna: I grew up in Medford, Oregon, and we’d visit my grandmother in San Francisco. They had an I. Magnin there, and my mom and I would shop there—I was mesmerized by the fashion and beauty in that store. When I was 16, I started getting Seventeen, Mademoiselle, and Vogue every month. That became my escape back into that I. Magnin world I’d discovered with my mom.
Vogue: How did you dress when you were younger?
Rinna: My mom dressed me very fashionably—Florence Eiseman, beautiful little dresses. I’ll never forget, in second grade, we moved to Oregon and I wore this really short Izod dress. Everyone made fun of me. I’ve always worn things that stood out. Fashion-wise it was cool, but it was too much for where I lived.
Vogue: Beyond magazines and I. Magnin, who or what inspired your style?
Rinna: Tom Ford’s Gucci collection in 1994 was groundbreaking. And Ralph Lauren’s campaigns in the late ’70s and early ’80s, with Clotilde as the model—that opened a window to a world I’d never seen. We all aspired to it back then. I was just watching Ralph Lauren’s documentary on a plane and thought, “That was a big moment in my life.” Same with Tom Ford’s Gucci. Those were transformative. And discovering Alaïa—Harry bought me my first Alaïa dress. Those were real fashion turning points for me.
Vogue: Do you still have that Alaïa dress?
Rinna: Absolutely. I have the lace bandage dress—it’s incredible. I also have a few Tom Ford Gucci pieces from 1996 with gold belts. They’re treasures. I’ve sold a few things over the years and now I regret it. What was I thinking?
Vogue: Oh no—what did you sell?
Rinna: I sold one of the T-shirts…That was a red velvet dress with shoulder pads, and the shoes were the G’s with the metal heel. After I got pregnant, my feet grew, and I didn’t realize they usually go back to normal after you have the baby. Oh my gosh, I still kick myself about it. I’m going to find them—I’ll buy them again somewhere. Someone’s got to have them.
What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?
Just to be authentic and wear whatever I feel good in. I’ve always admired Jackie Onassis and Kate Moss’s style—they did what felt right and stayed true to themselves. I think that’s the key, both in fashion and in life: being authentic.
Is there any fashion advice you remember giving your daughters?
Not really, because I think it’s more about leading by example. I’ve watched them develop their own styles, and they’re both very different. By seeing how I express myself through fashion, they picked up on that. I’ve never said anything directly other than to have fun and be kind.
You look like you’ve been having a lot of fun lately. I loved the dress you wore to the Las Culturistas Awards.
Me too! I was so honored to wear Schiaparelli for the first time. Those moments when you find something that fits perfectly and it’s exactly what you imagined—that’s such a joy.
Can you tell me a little about how your fashion evolution started over the last couple of years?
It happened totally by accident. I was just starting to experiment with fashion toward the end of my time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Erika Jayne came on with her style and glam team, and it shook everyone up. We all thought, “Oh wow, we really have to step up our game.” That opened me up to trying new things, like wearing Balenciaga and wigs. Then Dorit came along, and it was like game over—you had to bring your A-game or you’d fall behind. That’s how we all felt.
About two weeks after I left the show, my publicist called and asked if I’d like to go to Paris in four days for the Kenzo show—they’d invited me to sit front row. I had nothing else going on, so I said yes. They flew me to France, put me up at the George V, and that changed everything. I went to the show and thought, “This is amazing.” I ended up staying in Paris, and people started inviting me to other shows because they saw I was there. I just kept saying yes, and I never want it to end.
It seems like people underestimate how far saying yes can take you.
It’s so true! If I hadn’t been able to do that, my path would’ve been completely different. I think my departure from the show got a lot of press, and Kenzo probably saw that and invited me. It felt meant to be, and I’ve been eager for something like this for a long time. I’ve really run with the opportunity because it’s my passion and joy.
What’s a show where you thought, “Thank goodness I didn’t miss this”?
Marc Jacobs’ show in New York was incredible. Demna’s last Balenciaga show, obviously. And seeing my daughter Amelia walk in Jean Paul Gaultier when Ludovic was the guest designer—she blew me away. I try not to go to many of her shows because I want her to have her own moment. We keep it separate; I go to my shows, and if I get to see one of hers, it’s a special bonus.
Do you have a bucket list shoMiu Miu, without a doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about Its Couture Darling How Lisa Rinna Became a Fashion Icon
General Beginner Questions
Q Who is Lisa Rinna
A Shes an American actress TV personality and businesswoman best known for her roles on soap operas and the reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Q What does Its Couture Darling refer to
A Its a catchphrase Lisa Rinna is famous for often used to playfully describe her own bold and highfashion style
Q Why is she considered a fashion icon
A Shes celebrated for her fearless dramatic and often unconventional style choices from statement sleeves to daring cutouts which she wears with immense confidence
Q What are some of her most iconic looks
A Her most talkedabout looks include the giant tulle sleeves she wore on RHOBH her many bold pantsuits and her signature short spiky hairstyle
Style Influence Questions
Q How would you describe her personal style
A Its a mix of highfashion drama vintage Hollywood glamour and a touch of playful almost campy theatricality She isnt afraid to take risks
Q Has she collaborated with any major fashion brands
A Yes she has worked with and been dressed by numerous designers She also launched her own successful line of womens wear on QVC called Lisa Rinna Collection
Q What impact has she had on everyday fashion
A She helped popularize the concept of more is more and encouraged people to embrace bold patterns dramatic silhouettes and to wear clothes that make a statement with confidence
Q Is her style expensive to emulate
A Not necessarily While she wears designer pieces the core of her style is about attitude You can find statement sleeves animal prints and bold colors at many price points
Practical Tips Common Problems
Q I love her style but am nervous to try it How can I start
A Start small Incorporate one statement piece at a time like a leopard print accessory or a top with interesting sleeves paired with your everyday jeans
Q Whats the most important lesson from her fashion sense
A Confidence