Beloved Designer And Project Runway Alum Afa Ah Loo Killed In Salt Lake City
The fashion world is reeling from the sudden loss of Samoan designer Afa Ah Loo, a former contestant on Project Runway. The 39-year-old was tragically shot and killed on Sunday while attending a protest in Salt Lake City.
According to police reports, Ah Loo was an innocent bystander. The incident occurred when a volunteer peacekeeper at the No Kings Day demonstration fired at a man who allegedly brandished a rifle at the crowd. One of the rounds fatally struck the designer.
A Force in Fashion and Community
For those who followed his work, Afa Ah Loo was much more than a television personality. The self-taught designer was a powerful advocate for his community, using his platform to champion Pacific Islander and LGBTQIA+ artists. He co-founded Creative Pacific, a non-profit dedicated to giving artists from the Pacific Islands a visible stage. Not stopping there, he also established Utah Pacific Fashion, creating more runways for the talent he believed in so fiercely.
His designs reflected his mission, blending the bold patterns of his Samoan heritage with a sharp, modern edge. His work was a statement of cultural honour. Recently, his talent was on full display at the Moana 2 premiere, where he designed a stunning gown for star Auliʻi Cravalho. Speaking to Vogue about the hand-strung seashell look, Cravalho said, “This was the first time I was so active in helping to design a custom look, and Afa surpassed what I had envisioned.”
Auliʻi Cravalho reacts to ‘Project Runway’ star Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo being shot and killed during a ‘No Kings’ protest:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 16, 2025
“As a Samoan fashion designer, Afa's creations are and remain thoughtful, elegant and powerful portrayals of Pacific culture. I am still amazed to have… pic.twitter.com/JR98bsisDS
A Community Left Reeling
The circumstances of his death are heartbreakingly senseless. Salt Lake City police have stated that Ah Loo was not the intended target. The man who brought the rifle to the protest, setting off the fatal chain of events, has since been charged with murder. But for a community in mourning, the charges do little to answer the most pressing question. How does a day of civic protest turn so senselessly fatal?
The outpouring of support shows the massive impact he had. Ah Loo leaves behind a wife and two young children. A GoFundMe campaign organised for his family soared past its goal, raising over $100,000 in just two days, a testament to the lives he touched.
For many, especially Pacific Islander and queer creatives, Ah Loo was more than a designer, he was validation. His work and his presence were loud, unapologetic, and beautiful. Afa Ah Loo’s name is now added to a list of talents taken far too soon, leaving a silence in the creative world that feels impossible to fill.
