‘Project Runway’ Designer Afa Ah Loo Mourned by Celebrities & Fans: ‘No Words to Hold the Grief’

Tributes from celebrities and fans of fashion designer Afa Ah Loo, a contestant on season 17 of Bravo’s “Project Runway,” began rolling in on June 16, 2025, after authorities in Salt Lake City identified him as the victim of a shooting at a peaceful protest two days before.

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo — known as Afa Ah Loo publicly — was “hit by a stray bullet,” according to Salt Lake City station Fox13, when a “peacekeeping” volunteer at the “No Kings” protest there shot at a suspect, Arturo Roberto Gamboa, who pulled an AR-15 out of his backpack. Despite attempts to save Ah Loo’s life at the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Gamboa, meanwhile, was treated for a minor gunshot wound on his side before being arrested on suspicion of murder, the outlet reported.

Among the tributes, “Moana 2” star Auliʻi Cravalho mourned Ah Loo in a heartfelt Instagram post, noting that she often wore his designs, at the movie’s May premiere. She wrote on June 16, “There are no words to hold the grief of losing @afa.ahloo.”

Auliʻi Cravalho Says Afa Ah Loo’s ‘Artistry Will Never Be Forgotten’

In Cravalho’s tribute, she wrote in full, “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 worn his custom designs for the most significant event of my career; the world premiere of Moana 2. Your artistry will never be forgotten; and neither will your peaceful protest. My deepest condolences, sympathies and Aloha to his family, and all who felt his impact. May you rest peacefully with our Father, Afa. Auwe. Auwe. Auwe.”

In a statement released via social media by Utah State Representative Verona Mauga, who’d become a friend, she called his passing “a heartbreaking loss for his family, our Pacific Islander community, the state of Utah, and all who knew him.”

Another Utah State Representative, Doug Fiefia, tweeted, “Heartbroken by the tragic loss of Afa Ah Loo. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was a bright light in our Polynesian community and will be deeply missed. May his loved ones feel peace and comfort during this difficult time.”

Popular singer Tenelle wrote on one of Ah Loo’s recent posts, “WE LOVE YOU AFA!!”

A fan account for the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” also paid tribute to Ah Loo, tweeting that he often worked with former cast members Jen Shah and Danna Bui-Negrete.

GoFundMe Campaign Collecting Money For Afa Ah Loo’s Family

According to Bravo, where “Project Runway” aired during Ah Loo’s season (it has since moved to Disney+ and Hulu), Ah Loo was born and raised in Samoa and watched his mom sew most of the clothes he and his five siblings wore. He discovered early on that he, too, loved to sew and would design fashions for his sisters. He eventually attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii and later moved to Utah. Representative Mauga told KSL that Ah Loo recently became a U.S. citizen and voted in his first election last November.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign for Ah Loo’s family, noting that “more than anything, Afa was proud of the life he built with his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children, Vera and Isaac.”

“This unimaginable loss has left a profound void in their lives,” the campaign’s description said. “Family and friends are coming together to raise funds to help Laura with funeral expenses and to ease the immediate financial burdens she now faces. Funds raised will be sent directly to Laura via the GoFundMe transfer.”

At the time of publication, the fund had raised over $174,000 of a $210,000 goal.