Fashion Mourns the Loss of Afa Ah Loo, the Samoan Designer Killed at a “No Kings” March

On Saturday, Samoan fashion designer Afa Ah Loo—who was known for his distinctive and vibrant culture-based designs—was killed during what was supposed to be a peaceful “No Kings” march in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The designer was part of a crowd of over 10,000 people in Salt Lake City marching in solidarity with the “No Kings” protest—a nation-wide movement that occurred in several major cities on Saturday, held in opposition the immigration policies put in place by President Donald J. Trump and his current administration.

According to reports, Loo was the victim of a shooting, and was deemed an “innocent bystander.” (An investigation from the Salt Lake City Police Department report that he was struck by an alleged peacekeeper, and was “not the intended target.”)

Born and raised in Samoa, 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, Loo created a special red carpet look for Moana star Auliʻi Cravalho; It consisted of 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., meanwhile, 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, Loo also founded the Creative Pacific Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and fostering cultural exchange in fashion.

Loo is survived by his wife, Laura, and two children. A GoFundMe has been started in their honor.