Manhattan’s Mane Attraction: Why A Giant 10-Foot Hairball Rolled Through New York City’s Streets

Last Updated:August 16, 2026, 02:42 IST

The 150-pound sphere—officially dubbed ‘The Tumblehair’—is a real physical prop built by prop stylists at CAD Industries and Decimated Designs

According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments. Image/AP

If you spotted a massive, street-blocking hairball rolling past crosswalks in Midtown Manhattan, Chinatown, or the West Village in New York, you were not looking at an AI glitch. The 10-foot-tall, 150-pound sphere—officially dubbed “The Tumblehair”—is a real physical prop built by prop stylists at CAD Industries and Decimated Designs.

Created for haircare brand K18 and agency Uncommon Creative Studio, the roving installation was designed as an unmissable visual metaphor for premature hair loss and daily shedding.

Why Roll a Massive Hairball Down Manhattan Streets?

The oversized hair sphere brings a quiet, everyday biological issue into plain view. According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments.

• Scale: Measures roughly 3 metres (10 feet) in diameter and weighs over 68 kilograms (150 pounds).
• Materials: Constructed using a combination of real human hair sourced from local New York salons and synthetic fibres, hand-sewn to represent diverse hair textures and colours.
• Mechanics: Pushed and directed through city avenues, parks, and alleys by a dedicated five-person production crew.

Turning Heads Across Iconic Neighbourhoods

The installation travelled through key locations across Manhattan before completing its route near Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. Passers-by stopped mid-walk to film the surreal sight, which quickly flooded social media feeds.

While many initial viewers online assumed the viral footage was generated by artificial intelligence, local permits, city communications, and on-the-ground handlers ensured the physical installation manoeuvred safely across real city traffic.

Following the conclusion of the street campaign, prop fabricators who specialise in haunted houses and sci-fi sets acquired the giant Tumblehair for their permanent collection.

Key Questions Answered

Powered by

Ask News18

Will the Tumblehair appear in other cities?

After its street campaign, the giant Tumblehair was acquired by prop fabricators who specialise in haunted houses and sci-fi sets for their permanent collection.

How did the Tumblehair navigate city traffic?

The Tumblehair, a 10-foot-tall, 150-pound physical prop, was pushed and directed through New York City avenues, parks, and alleys by a dedicated five-person production crew.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More

Read More