When people talk about the "Project Runway" effect, they usually mean a sudden burst of fame followed by a frantic attempt to keep a brand alive in the cutthroat New York fashion scene. But for Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, the man most of us knew simply as Afa, the show was never really about the hustle of Seventh Avenue. It was about putting a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific on a global map. Honestly, he did that and then some.
Most viewers remember him from Season 17 as the guy with the infectious smile who could sew faster than almost anyone in the room. He was the one helping other designers finish their hems while the clock was ticking down to zero. That wasn't just reality TV editing; it was who he was.
He didn't win the season. He actually finished in 13th place. But if you look at the trajectory of his career after the cameras stopped rolling, you’ll see a man who became a much larger force in the industry than his "Project Runway" placement would ever suggest. Tragically, we lost him far too soon in the summer of 2025, but the story of Arthur Folasa isn’t just a "where are they now" biography. It’s a blueprint for how to use a platform to build a community.
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The Designer Who Never Needed a Pattern
Afa was self-taught. That’s a term people throw around a lot, but for a kid growing up in the village of Satupa'itea in Samoa, it meant something very literal. He didn't have a library of Vogue patterns or a high-tech studio. He started in a high school home economics class and watched his mother sew.
In a culture where sewing and design were traditionally viewed as "women’s work," his mother was his biggest advocate. She told him to go for it. And he did, starting with Sunday dresses for his sisters before moving on to dressing Miss World Samoa contestants and eventually representing his country at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace.
Think about that for a second. From a small village to meeting royalty in London.
By the time he landed on Project Runway, Afa already had a distinct voice. He wasn't trying to be the next minimal, edgy New York designer. He brought bold, geometric Samoan patterns and vibrant colors to a show that often favors "chic" neutrals. He was loud with his prints because his culture is loud and proud.
What Really Happened on Project Runway Season 17
Season 17 was a bit of a reboot for the series. Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn were out; Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano were in. Into this mix walked Afa, a 33-year-old Samoan-born designer living in Utah.
He made an immediate impression, but not necessarily because of a specific garment. It was his efficiency. He was the "speed demon" of the workroom. In an environment designed to cause meltdowns, he was remarkably calm.
The Struggle with the Judges
The disconnect often came during the critiques. The judges—Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell, and Elaine Welteroth—sometimes struggled to reconcile Afa’s traditional aesthetic with the "high fashion" requirements of the runway. There’s a certain bias in the fashion world toward Western European standards of "elevated" design. Afa’s work was deeply rooted in the Pacific, and sometimes that got labeled as "costume" or "too literal."
He was eliminated in the "Survival of the Fittest" challenge. It was a camping-themed challenge where they had to create a high-fashion look from outdoor materials. It wasn't his best day. But even as he walked out, he was helping others. He left a legacy of being the most "helpful" contestant in the show’s history, even returning later for a Project Runway Redemption segment.
Life After the Runway: More Than Just a Brand
While many contestants disappear into the void of "former reality star," Afa went back to Utah and started building. He realized that "Project Runway" gave him a name, and he used that name to kick open doors for other Pacific Islander designers.
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He co-founded Utah Pacific Fashion, the state’s first major showcase for designers from Oceania. He also started Creative Pacific, a nonprofit aimed at mentoring young artists. He wasn't just selling $500 dresses; he was building an ecosystem.
In late 2024, he had one of his biggest professional triumphs. He designed a custom piece for Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, for the premiere of Moana 2. It was a full-circle moment. A Samoan designer dressing the face of a story inspired by his own heritage. Cravalho later said that Afa surpassed everything she had envisioned for that moment.
The Tragic Events of June 2025
The fashion world was stunned on June 14, 2025. Arthur Folasa was attending the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City—a nationwide demonstration against political authoritarianism. By all accounts, he was there as a peaceful participant, an innocent bystander advocating for the marginalized communities he cared so much about.
A confrontation broke out when a 24-year-old man, Arturo Gamboa, allegedly brandished an AR-15 at the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, a member of a "peacekeeping" volunteer team fired at Gamboa. A stray bullet struck Afa in the stomach. He was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive.
It was a senseless end for a man who spent his life creating beauty. He was only 39. He left behind his wife, Laura, and their two young children. Within 48 hours of his passing, a GoFundMe for his family raised over $100,000, a testament to how many lives he had actually touched in the Utah and Pacific communities.
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Why We Should Still Talk About Afa
We tend to consume reality TV like fast food. We watch a season, pick a favorite, and move on. But Arthur Folasa’s story matters because he challenged the idea of what a "successful" designer looks like.
- He rejected the "starving artist" trope. He was a community leader, a father, and a mentor.
- He championed inclusivity before it was a corporate buzzword. He prided himself on designing for all body types and ensuring Pacific Islander voices were heard in spaces that usually ignored them.
- He remained authentic. He never "watered down" his Samoan heritage to please New York judges.
Honoring the Legacy of Arthur Folasa
If you’re a fan of "Project Runway" or just someone who appreciates the intersection of culture and craft, there are real ways to keep Afa’s mission alive. His work wasn't just about the fabric; it was about the people behind it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Support Pacific Island Designers: Look beyond mainstream retail. Search for designers through platforms like Creative Pacific or follow the Utah Pacific Fashion showcases.
- Watch Season 17 with a New Lens: If you go back and watch his episodes, pay attention to the craftsmanship and the speed. Notice how many times he stops his own work to help a competitor. That’s the real masterclass.
- Advocate for Community Safety: Afa’s death was a result of a chaotic situation involving firearms at a public gathering. Supporting organizations that work toward protest safety and sensible gun regulations is a way to honor his memory.
- Follow the Mentors: Many of the designers Afa mentored are now coming into their own. Keep an eye on the burgeoning fashion scene in Salt Lake City and the Pacific Islands—it’s where his spirit truly lives on.
Arthur Folasa wasn't just a contestant on a TV show. He was a storyteller who used a needle and thread to bridge the gap between a small island and the rest of the world. He proved that you don't need a trophy to be a winner in the ways that actually count.