On June 14, Project Runway contestant Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo was tragically killed by a stray bullet during the “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Samoan fashion designer was a visionary powerhouse in the industry. His talent allowed him to design bold creations for many major fashion events and TV shows. His work proudly represented Samoan pride and culture, and he used his platform to uplift marginalized communities everywhere. The legacy he leaves behind extends far beyond fashion or television. Ah Loo was a bastion of creativity and self-expression. His story stands tall amidst the pressure of tradition and societal norms.
Ah Loo was born and raised in the Lotopa, Falelima, Neiafu, and Satupaitea villages of Samoa. As is tradition with many Oceania cultures, he grew up with a family-oriented childhood. According to an interview with Slug Mag, he often sold fruits and produce to help care for his grandparents. It’s these community-driven values that would inspire his later works.
His journey to fashion stardom didn’t emerge until high school home economics. In an interview for The Salt Lake Tribune, Ah Loo humorously recalls his lack of cooking skills, saying, “Instead of baking something, I fried it and I almost burned down the kitchen.” He eventually switched to a sewing class, where he excelled. In the interview, he notes how his first class project was a hand mitten. Although it was a semester-long project, Ah Loo finished it in only two days. This was a glimpse of the talent to emerge.
However, this new passion came with baggage. Samoa’s strict traditions and cultural values ostracized males who were seen doing anything feminine. Societal norms dictated that fashion was something for women. He used his mother’s sewing machine to practice in secret, fearful of any homophobic or misogynistic judgment. Tradition weighed heavily on him, but his family’s support sparked his determination. In an interview with Deseret News, Ah Loo honors his mother’s encouragement, saying, “[My mom] was always encouraging me to live my best life. And to always be whoever I wanted to be and set no boundaries for myself.”
With his family by his side, he continued to hone his design and sewing skills through self-taught practice. He made dresses for his little sister and an adult-sized dress for his mom. Ah Loo’s creativity flourished, reaching new heights beyond Samoa.
He attended Brigham Young University, Hawaii, majoring in political science. Despite this different academic path, Ah Loo’s creative passion never faltered. He established the “Afa Ah Loo” fashion brand in 2013, furthering his affinity for design. According to Samoa News Hub, he earned the opportunity to showcase his work at the 2015 Fiji Fashion Week. The event directors saw his work and chose him as a featured designer for Los Angeles Fashion Week. His standout, distinctive designs took him on a tour through international fashion stages around the world.
Ah Loo’s contributions repeatedly brought him to new heights. He was soon selected to help design outfits for Miss World Samoa contestant Latafale Auva’a to wear at the 2015 Miss World pageant in China. According to the Samoa Observer, Auva’a desired something “elegant and simple, but allowed for the beauty of a Samoan girl to shine…” His commitment to representing his community was a pivotal approach that allowed him to continue climbing in the industry. Such a high-profile collaboration garnered him attention as a bridal designer.
While on a religious mission call, he decided to visit his sister in Utah. It was here that he met his wife, Laura, and where the couple eventually settled together. Despite his early accomplishments, Ah Loo hadn’t even begun to reach his peak.
Ah Loo’s success brought him to London in 2018. Queen Elizabeth II invited him to represent Samoa at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace. In a report by The Pacific Business Hub, it was his “infectious smile and bubbly personality” that earned him a nomination for the Samoa Business Network’s People’s Choice Award.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Ah Loo landed a televised claim to fame. After three unsuccessful submissions, he finally got the chance to compete on the seventeenth season of Project Runway. According to the Deseret News report, his designs featured vibrant hues and eye-catching patterns to stand above the competition. It was his Samoan background that inspired this stylistic choice.
(Photo: Barbara Nitke, Bravo Media)
Despite finishing in thirteenth place, he gained a reputation for being the fastest sewer on the show and helping others when there was extra time. In an interview with Tagata Pasifika Plus, Ah Loo notes, “I work the way that I see women in Samoa work– fast and efficient.” Even on a show bred for competition and drama, he couldn’t help but prioritize community values and helping others in need.
His Project Runway appearance only skyrocketed his popularity in the industry. Ah Loo received several notable opportunities, including designing for Danna Bui-Negrete of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Haylanni Pearl Kurrupu of 2023 Miss Global Samoa, and Auli’i Cravalho at the premiere of Moana 2.
While Ah Loo’s name was now firmly solidified in the larger fashion industry, his heart and passions were still for his family and community. In 2023, he would co-found Utah Pacific Fashion (UPF), a fashion event dedicated to bridging cultural gaps in fashion and art between the Samoan islands and the mainland United States. In the Tagata Pasifika Plus interview, he intended to “intertwine modern fabrics… to create an island couture collection,” and that his “main inspiration is Polynesian women, with his mother at the heart…” Ah Loo would also found Creative Pacific a year later. According to Forbes, this organization focused on uplifting Pacific Islander culture, showcasing Pacific Island workshops, artists, and a Polynesian fashion runway.
Ultimately, Ah Loo’s journey is one of resilience and pride in his culture. He not only used his platform to further his talent and brand, but to empower others as well. Gracing the fashion industry with an explosive mixture of heritage and creativity, Ah Loo’s lasting impact is marked by humility and love. To honor his family and his legacy, you can donate to the Ah Loo family’s GoFundMe.
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