I was shocked to hear the news last week that Project Runway designer Chris March had passed away at the age of 56. He suffered a heart attack on Thursday, September 5th.
A contestant on Season 4 of Project Runway, Chris placed fourth on the show. He was known for his amazing talent for costume design and gifted us with some of the most creative frocks ever to come down the runway. Chris was long a Bravo favorite, appearing on several of the network’s shows over the last decade.
Sadly, Chris had been battling serious health issues for the last few years. However, a source close to his family told TMZ that his “heart attack came as a surprise to doctors and relatives.”
Chris had a serious fall in his apartment in June of 2017 in which he hit his head. He laid on the floor unconscious for four days before he woke up and was able to call 911 and be taken to the hospital. Following the accident, Chris experienced multiple health issues, including organ failure, paralysis in his legs and right arm and a collapsed lung. He was also placed in a medically induced coma for a time.
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Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen shared his thoughts about Chris in an Instagram post, declaring, “This is how I’m going to remember Chris March, dressed as Lisa Vanderpump as I wear a Giggy costume he made for one of our first Halloween specials.” In the accompanying photo, Chris, with a full goatee, is dressed in a sparkly magenta Vanderpump-like gown and Andy is wearing a Giggy hat and paws.
Andy went on to share, “Chris was a finalist on Season 4 of Project Runway. He designed for everyone from Beyoncé, Gaga, Madonna, Meryl, Prince and many legendary downtown drag queens (And Sonja Morgan!). He had a big booming laugh; he was a joy and delight.”
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Real Housewives of New York viewers probably remember Chris appearing a few times on the show with his friend Sonja. Of course, Lady Morgan kept Chris busy costume designing for her! Sonja posted on Twitter, “Thinking of #ChrisMarch May he Rest In Peace after long suffering these past two years. Such a natural talent he was in the fashion world.”
In addition to appearing on Project Runway, RHONY and Watch What Happens Live, Chris also had his own Bravo show, Mad Fashion, in 2011. On the show, he created fabulous one-of-a-kind designs for his clientele. Apparently, Chris continued working following his accident as a source told TMZ that he was “still designing dresses until the end.”
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Although hundreds of contestants have been on Project Runway through the years, Chris was one designer many of us remembered long after the season ended. He had an extraordinary talent, a great sense of humor and was kind and supportive to his fellow contestants. Chris will be missed by many, myself included.
TELL US- WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MEMORIES OF CHRIS? DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COSTUME OR DRESS DESIGNED BY CHRIS?
[Photo Credit: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company]
