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'Project Runway' Contestant Mychael Knight Passes Away at 39

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Mychael Knight, a fashion designer who competed on “Project Runway,” died yesterday morning at a hospital in Atlanta at the age of 39.

The cause of death has not been announced, but TMZ reported that he had been getting treatment for intestinal issues when he passed.

Knight was born in Germany but grew up in Atlanta and competed on season three of “Project Runway” in 2006. He was the fourth runner-up and won the “Fan Favorite” award. He went on to compete in the “Project Runway: All-Star Challenge” special in 2009 and on season three of “Project Runway: All Stars” in 2013.

In July, Knight wrote on his Facebook page that he has been dealing with irritable bowel syndrome for the past five years (the post has since been deleted).

In his post-“Project Runway” career, Knight gathered a celebrity following with his designs and showed at New York Fashion Week in September in a collaboration with fellow “Project Runway” designer Korto Momolu called “The MKKM Experience.”

"Mercy + Grace"#MychaelKnight #SS118 #NYFW #MKKMExperience ???? | Jerris Mogul Madison

Posted by Mychael Knight on Sunday, September 10, 2017

View this post on Instagram

My heart hurts so much today bc I lost my friend, my little brother @mychaelknight . I was a fan of Mychael's since I first saw him on #ProjecctRunway & when @jawnmurray finally put us together, it was a match made in #heaven. We clicked immediately & Mychael said he was going to be my stylist for the long haul. He had a wicked sense of humour and was the most creative man I knew. Mychael had a sixth sense when it came to styling women… he brought out the best of your features and I always felt like a princess when he styled me. Mychael taught me that Spanx is a girl's best friend and Lord help me if someone took a pic of me & I wasn't red carpet ready. I respected his business acumen, his honesty and integrity. When he said he wanted to collaborate w me on a curvy line of clothing for women, I thought we'd struck gold. The blush gown I am wearing, Mychael custom designed & sewed (in 24 hours) for the daytime Emmys. Mychael how I wish your dreams weren't cut short – but so thankful for the time I was allowed to be a part of your life. I know you are in #heaven updating the Angels' wardrobe ("Lord! Wings are so 90s!"). I love you my friend #RIP #alwaysafan

A post shared by Sherri (@sherrieshepherd) on

Jerris Madison, editor of Obvious Magazine and friend of Knight’s, posted a statement on his Instagram page on behalf of the Knight family.

“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,” the statement read.

Originally published: October 19, 2017
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