'Project Runway' Fashion Designer Dead at 39, Cause of Death Unknown
"Project Runway" contestant and fashion designer Mychael Knight passed away on Tuesday. He was only 39.
Knight died on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in a hospital in Georgia. He died shortly after he checked himself into the hospital to receive treatment for an intestinal issue, TMZ reported. As of now, the cause of his death has not been announced.
Over the last few months, the fashion designer has been open about his battle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition which he has been suffering from for the past 5 years. The gastrointestinal disorder prevents his body from absorbing the nutrients he should get from the food he eats. He once said that his "leaky gut," allows toxins to seep into his bloodstream which could cause autoimmune diseases like diabetes or lupus, and more.
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Knight first auditioned for "Project Runway" in 2005; however, he did not make it in the second season lineup. He tried out the following year, and not only did he make the cut, he placed fourth in the competition. He was also season 3's Fan Favorite.
The budding fashion designer started his own label, Mychael Knight on "Rip the Runway." He also made custom tees for Starbucks. He launched a female and male lingerie line in 2008 and a unisex fragrance, MajK. In 2010, he launched his Fall/Winter collection at Charleston Fashion Week.
Knight appeared once again on "Project Runway" for the All-Star Challenge in 2009. He also joined the third season of the "All-Star" spinoff in 2013.
"We are still processing the untimely death of our son, brother, friend, and uncle. Mychael meant everything to us and we loved him dearly. He was generous and so full of life. This is how we choose to remember his legacy," his family said in a statement,
