Who is Tyler Neasloney, the ‘Project Runway’ Designer Who Shaded Karlie Kloss?
Project Runway is in its 18th season on Bravo which debuted on Dec. 5 with 16 new contestants. Described as yet another showstopping season, the fashion competition features model and businesswoman Karlie Kloss as its host.
During episode four, she found herself the target of ice-cold shade from one of the designers, Tyler Neasloney. But who is the sharp-tongued creative that made the room so quiet you could hear a sewing needle drop?
What happened between host Karlie Kloss and Tyler Neasloney?
It’s a moment from Project Runway that went viral and lit up Twitter, causing jaws to drop, brows to furrow, and pearls to be clutched. During the elimination round, the judges began critiquing the garment Neasloney created as an upcycled look for Kloss.
When judge Brandon Maxwell commented that he didn’t see Karlie wearing the outfit in Montauk, Paris, or anywhere else, Neasloney quipped, “Not even to dinner with the Kushners?” Gasp!
It was a reference to Kloss’ husband Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared and obviously a member of the controversial Kushner family. The remark caught everyone off guard and Kloss responded by tearing down his design and everything she found wrong with it.
Before leaving the stage, Neasloney took a second to apologize: “Karlie, I want you to know that I’m not a jerk. I’m professional, so what I said earlier had no hidden agenda, no meaning, nothing like that.”
What is Neasloney’s background?
A quick look at his bio on Bravo’s site reveals that he’s a native of New Jersey and has no formal training in the fashion field. However, he has talent and extensive experience designing costumes for drag queens and launched his own luggage brand and women’s apparel line in 2019. Additionally, he works in the non-profit world assisting LGBTQ youth.
In an interview with Culturess magazine, Neasloney shared that his time on Project Runway helped him “realize his passion,” and he wants to focus on creating pieces that are wearable and accessible. That led to his latest venture.
Neasloney is ready for something new
The young designer just launched a capsule collection that he says was inspired by what he learned on the show. He told Culturess:
“I used a palette of rich cobalt, deep navy blue, soft ivory, and crisp white to create a collection that speaks to summers in Martha’s Vineyard, weekends in the Hamptons, and the classic sensibility of the British Royal Family. The collection was also a nod to the direction I took aesthetically in the upcycling challenge (a look which I still fully stand behind, for the record). Above all, I’m grateful for this experience and excited to spin it into the career I never knew I was always working toward.”
Pieces from the collection can be viewed on Neasloney’s Instagram page and pre-ordered. Many fans are already showing their support and complimenting him not only on his designs, but for his comment toward Kloss.
Neasloney maintains that he meant no harm and said behind the scenes, everyone built a fun and laidback rapport with the judges and host.
What’s next? He’s going to keep designing! Interested patrons can shop his line via his website, TylerNeasloney.com.
