Project Runway fans are mourning the loss of designer Chris March, who died after suffering a heart attack Thursday afternoon at the age of 56. Page Six reports the designer from Alameda, California served as the longtime costume designer for the musical review Beach Blankey Babylon before appearing as a contestant on Season 4 of the Bravo hit fashion reality competition series.
March also made appearances on Season 4 of Project Runway All Stars and returned once again for 2009’s Project Runway: All-Star Challenge.
Videos by PopCulture.com
The well-known designer also worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Beyoncé, Madonna, Meryl Streep and Lady Gaga.
TMZ first reported the news and said March had been in and out of the hospital in the past year, but the heart attack still caught his loved ones and doctors by surprise.
Fans of the designer and television personality took to social media to honor his legacy, and send well wishes for his loved ones.
We are saddened and heartbroken to hear that Chris March has passed. He was an inspiration to the editors of Fat & Queer. Chris contacted us a few weeks ago to ask how he could contribute to our anthology. He will be missed on our pages and in our hearts. 💔 pic.twitter.com/yoWphrMAfB
— Fat & Queer (@FATandQUEER) September 6, 2019
“Super bummed to learn that designer Chris March has died. The Project Runway alum was easily one of the coolest designers to ever walk its catwalk, & designed looks for Madonna, Prince, Gaga, & so many others. The world is better because you got to spread your glitter on it. RIP,” one user wrote.
“Oh no!!!! He was one of my favorite designers to appear on Project Runway!” another fan commented.
“So sad! Rest In Peace Chris,” another user wrote.
“so many people have died this week. lashawn daniels, the American idol girl, the 30 yr old country music star, and now chris march from project runway. my goodness,” another Twitter user reflected.
“I started watching Project Runway during season 4, in no small part because of [tom and lorenzo] (then “project rungay”) and their in depth and hysterical recaps,” one user wrote “Chris March was one of my favorite designers with a larger than life spirit and personality (hair!!!).”
The designer made headlines in 2017 after suffering a bad fall and being knocked unconscious for days. The fall caused many injuries, including organ failure and a collapsed lung. Despite the incident, he reportedly worked on his designs until his death.
More Reality
-
Photo by Fred Hayes/Disney via Getty Images -
Photo by Getty Images -
Photo by Ser Baffo/Disney via Getty Images) -
Photo by Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images -
Mel B at the "America's Got Talent" Season 21 Red Carpet held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images) -
“Reverse the Curse” – Back from tribal, tensions rise following the exit of a particularly historic player. The final five immunity challenge ends in a showdown and features one of the closest finishes the show has ever seen. Jeff reveals the outcomes of the remaining in-game fan votes and how they impact the final stage of the competition. Then, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $2 million prize, during the three-hour live season finale, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured: Aubry Bracco Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
