The fashion industry is mourning the loss of Samoan designer Afa Ah Loo, known for his distinctive and vibrant culture-based designs.
Ah Loo was an innocent bystander in a shooting that took place during what was supposed to be a peaceful “No Kings” march in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Vogue reported: “Born and raised in Samoa, Ah Loo learned how to sew from his mother, and went on to design unique fashions through his namesake label that highlighted Pacific Islander culture. In 2019, he was a contestant on season 17 of Project Runway and recently focused on offering community sewing workshops in his home state of Utah.
Notably, last year, Ah Loo created a special red carpet look for Moana star Auliʻi Cravalho. It featured a cape made of white Dovetail shells that was reminiscent of a Hawaiian ʻahu ʻula—a feather cloak worn by ancient Hawaiian royalty. Cravalho is among many celebrities and fashion insiders who took to social media today to mourn the designer’s loss.
“There are no words to hold the grief of losing @afa.ahloo,” she wrote. “As a Samoan fashion designer, Afa’s creations are and remain thoughtful, elegant and powerful portrayals of Pacific culture… Your artistry will never be forgotten; and neither will your peaceful protest.” Top stylist Jessica Paster, who has styled Cravalho, commented, “This is heartbreaking. Rest in power.”
Deomcratic Utah Representatives Verona Mauga and Jacob Fitisemanu Jr. also shared a joint statement on his passing: “Afa inspired us to stand up against injustice and to speak out for the voiceless, and his final steps in this life were taken in the service of others, as a call to action, as a gesture of love. ”
In addition to his own design work, Ah Loo also founded the Creative Pacific Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and fostering cultural exchange through fashion.
He is survived by his wife, Laura, and two children. A GoFundMe has been started in their honor.
Photo: Afa Ah Loo at Moana o Sina, Fogagogo in March of last year
