ShaVi Lewis, ‘Project Runway’ Season 18 Contestant and Fashion Designer, Dies at 38

Ross A. Lincoln
.February 25, 2025

ShaVi Lewis, a fashion designer best known for being a contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway” Season 18, which aired in 2019 and 2020, died recently. He was 38.

His death was made public by his aunt, Deirdra Elkerson, in a statement posted on Facebook. Lewis’ cause of death and date of death haven’t been disclosed.

“MY FABULOUS TALENTED NEPHEW Sha’Vi Lewis IS GONE FROM THIS PLACE. I WON’T HEAR HIS GREETINGS TO ME ANYMORE “HEY AUNTIE DIVA” (YES I AM SHOUTING),” the announcement, written in all caps, said.

“PLEASE KEEP HIS MOTHER Joyce Solomon-Frierson, HIS FATHER FRANKLIN FRIERSON, HIS BROTHER TROY SOLOMON FRIERSON AND HIS SISTERS AKIRA FRIERSON WOOD & DESTINY L. OWENS IN YOUR PRAYERS. I KNOW HE IS IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE. I CAN JUST IMAGINE THE WELCOME HE RECIEVED WHEN HE GOT TO THOSE PEARLY GATES, WITH SO MANY LOVED ONES WHO HAD GONE ON BEFORE,” it continued.

“OH WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME HE IS HAVING WITH HIS GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHER, UNCLES, AUNTS, COUSIINS. AND GOOD FRIENDS. MY MY MY REST IN JOY NEPHEW KNOWING THAT YOU LEFT A HELL OF MARK ON THIS EARTH!!! YOU WILL BE ALWAYS LOVED AND NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN,” her statement concluded.

According to his bio on Bravo’s website, he grew up in Hillside New Jersey, and later attended Clark Atlanta University, where he studied Fashion Design. In the five years prior to “Project Runway,” he worked as creative director for an Italian menswear company, Stephen F and designed his own clothing. His clothing was featured on the second season of “Pose,” and according to Bravo he also had apparel worn on Emmys red carpets, though the year was unspecified.

Brittany Allen, who appeared on “Project Runway” with Lewis, mourned him in a statement on Instagram.

“I don’t have the words. My heart aches. The world and this industry will be dim without your light in it. Your love, your laughter, and your continuous support no matter where we were in life was everything. Season 18 forever and ever. Rest in power @shavilewis. Love, your Brit Brat,” she said.