Sha’Vi Lewis, a fashion designer and “Project Runway” contestant, has died. He was 39.
Lewis passed away Monday, according to his aunt, Deidra DivaDoll Elkerson, who revealed the news in a heart-wrenching Facebook post.
“My fabulous talented nephew Sha’Vi Lewis is gone from this place,” Elkerson wrote. “I won’t hear his greetings to me anymore, ‘Hey Auntie Diva’ (Yes, I am shouting). Please keep his mother Joyse Solomon-Frierson, his father Franklin Frierson, his brother, Troy Solomon Frierson, and his sister, Akira Frierson Wood, in your prayers.
Sha’Vi Lewis NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images“I can just imagine the welcome he received when he got to those pearly gates, with so many loved ones who had gone on before,” Elkerson continued. “Oh what a time. What a time he is having with his grandmothers, grandfather, uncles, aunts, cousins. And good friends. Rest in joy nephew knowing that you left a hell of [a] mark on this Earth!!! You will be always loved and never ever forgotten.”
Born Franklin Shavi Lewis Frierson Jr. on Dec. 4, 1985, the designer competed on Season 18 of “Project Runway,” which premiered on Bravo in December 2019 and concluded in March 2020. Lewis finished the show in 10th place after being sent home in Episode 6.
His cause of death is not known.
Lewis competed on Season 18 of “Project Runway.” NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Lewis finished the show in 10th place. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesLewis’ sister, Akira, also confirmed the news.
“We are in a state of disbelief as we come to the reality that our star has been cast into eternity,” Akira told TMZ Tuesday. “As the days move forward we will continue to wrap our minds around a future without your presence.
“While the world is just catching on to the name Sha’vi we knew he was and is great! Continue to pray as we mourn the loss of our loved one, Franklin Shavi Lewis Frierson Jr.”
“We are in a state of disbelief as we come to the reality that our star has been cast into eternity,” Lewis’ sister, Akira. told TMZ. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesLewis’ “Project Runway” Season 18 competitor and friend Brittany Allen shared a tribute to the late star on Instagram.
“I don’t have the words. My heart aches,” Allen wrote. “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.”
A New Jersey native, Lewis attended Clark Atlanta University before forging a path in fashion and becoming a reality TV star.
In recent years, he created his own clothing line and served as creative director for Italian menswear company Stephen F.
