Creative Pacific Fashion Week hosts tribute to Afa Ah Loo’s final collection

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Creative Pacific is hosting a Fashion Week showcase of Pacific Islander and Indigenous excellence. Among their displays is Afa Ah Loo’s final tribute collection.

Ah Loo was fatally shot during the ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown Salt Lake City on June 14. Colleagues and close friends have said he was a well-renowned fashion designer that was dedicated to his community.

Reportedly, Ah Loo was the first Pacific Islander designer to appear on Project Runway. Additionally, he has designed clothing for several Real Housewives of Salt Lake City stars and Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho.

Those who worked with him have told ABC4 that they admire how he supported his own heritage and stayed true to his own style. They also say he always cared for and served others.

“This was Afa’s legacy. He was always just showing up for everyone else,” fellow designer Natalie Workman said.

Creative Pacific was able to showcase his designs as part of their event. Many of the designs were ones that Afa Ah Loo’s friends and colleagues helped finish after finding sketches and designs in his workspace.

They worked to ensure that his style came to life in the fashion show. Janae Pettit, who worked with him, described his style as, “over-the top, very extra…he would have these very, like, conceptual, like bodices. And he loved a big, huge train in the back, and he loved the bright, vibrant colors, and he loved island patterns.”

For the ten designers who worked on his designs, the Creative Pacific Fashion Show embodies Afa’s career. Workman told ABC4, “Having this group of everyone come together and so everything for this is just exactly what he would do.”

Benjamin Powell, Creative Pacific co-founder, said, “The vision is very clear as I feel like he’s just right by my side. Everything I do, everything we’ve done…is actually him and I choosing this together and thinking, like where we can elevate and do a great show here in Salt Lake City.”

Powell became very emotional while speaking about the show and his friend, “I may be moving by myself, but definitely for sure with him as well.”