Model Accuses Michael Costello of Photoshopping Her Face and Posting a White Model Instead

Fashion designer Michael Costello sparked controversy by way of superimposing a white model's face on an Asian model's physique. Keep reading for the tale.
The Gist:
- Michael Costello is a style clothier who has dressed with Beyonce, Cardi B, and Kylie Jenner
- In October 2023, Asian model Shereen Wu accused Michael of photoshopping her face with a white model's face.
- Michael Costello has been in different race-related controversies in his profession.
Famed style designer Michael Costello faces allegations from those that say the A-list creative participates in arguable business practices.
While Michael won notoriety as a clothier to the stars and for showing on Project Runway and Project Runway: All Stars, he’s discovered himself within the information for personal causes on several occasions. In 2023, one of his models called him out on TikTok, along with multiple receipts.
The controversy from the model has since reminded the ones following Michael’s profession of some of the other race-related mishaps he’s allegedly made.
Here’s the whole thing to learn about Michael’s model show controversy.
Michael Costello’s controversy explained: Model accused the designer of “eliminating” her race.
In October 2023, Shereen Wu, a runway model, called out Michael for sharing an edited picture of her walking in his show to his large Instagram following. On Shereen’s TikTok account (@shereenwu), she shared that Michael posted a picture of her wearing one of his looks however had changed it with a white model’s face.
Shereen, an Asian-American girl, expressed her anger in opposition to the dressmaker for reportedly “modifying my face and eliminating my race” and known as the act “disrespectful.” She persevered sharing that she reached out to Michael in regards to the matter by the use of DM, along side screenshots of their conversations.
Michael claimed within the thread that he “appreciated” Shereen, or else he wouldn’t have forged her for his display. However, Shereen refuted his remark, stating she “wasn’t even on the reliable checklist” and used to be selected “final minute” to seem in his show. Michael also knowledgeable Shereen the photograph was once most probably edited thru a photographer or was once A.I. generated, and he had “no keep watch over” over the images despatched to him to submit on social media.
Shereen then shared screenshots of her contacting the photographer Michael mentioned had edited the photos on his Instagram Story. The photographer informed Shereen he didn’t edit the photoshopped picture, which she stated “made sense” as a result of she posted Shereen’s runway glance with her face on their Instagram account. Then, all over a non-public name, Shereen said the photographer instructed her that Michael had “deleted” and “unsent” DMs between him and the photographer to make it seem as though the photographer was once engaging in a “one-sided conversation.”
Michael Costello has but to take responsibility for his movements. I want to explain what happened, and I am hoping other fashions at some point really feel relaxed to speak up. He has since offered to put up my photograph side by facet with the AI one, however has not voluntarily put up it. This offer did not contain an apology, and best took place after a model who’s shut with him brought gentle to the location. Some points I couldn’t fit: -Replaced the face of a model from the similar collection -Lightened the outside of a black model in a photograph and proceeded to push blame at the makeup artist (mua did not lighten the surface) -Screamed at models backstage (he screamed at the lady who stumbled on the runway to near tears, best to make an Instagram publish praising her after.) But bearing in mind how long he’s been acting like this, I doubt any apology from him would be honest; they might be performative at best possible. (Sorry for the bizarre cuts and speeded up video I was trying to have compatibility as much as I will be able to in) #michaelcostello #greenscreenvideo #drama #michaelcostellocontroversy
♬ original sound - shereenwuShereen persisted on the lookout for solutions and said a model on the subject of Michael requested him about the state of affairs on her behalf. She claimed the photo used to be “fan artwork” after prior to now mentioning a photographer edited the picture.
After stating that Michael had now advised 3 other folks (her, the photographer, and the other model) a further reason why Shereen’s face was once photoshopped, the model mentioned Michael’s antics changed into much more off.
Shereen said the designer retaliated by way of deleting her photo from his account and then posted more A.I. generated images used by other model properties, which Shereen felt used to be a message to her to not be “offended” about the photograph switch since different manufacturers have done the similar factor. However, Shereen claimed she was once distraught as a result of of the loss of publicity she overlooked out on because of the clothier no longer appearing her face.
“I understand as a model, I'm replaceable,” Shereen said in her video. “but I don't receives a commission to do these presentations. While I don't get paid, there’s an figuring out that I'm doing this for publicity and pictures. By no longer using My face, He's taking benefit of fashions without the similar influence as he does.”
I were given my account back, however to get suspended in the first position used to be terrifying.
♬ original sound - shereenwuMichael Costello has a history of race-related and body-shaming controversies.
Since posting her declare against Michael on TikTok, Shereen has persevered sharing more information about the fashion designer’s alleged hurtful acts. In one of her TikToks, the model made a submit about her Instagram account being briefly suspended after she called out Michael for reportedly photoshopping her runway snap. Shereen mentioned that whilst she temporarily got her account back, shedding after sharing her reality was “terrifying.”
Although Shereen and Michael’s falling out is fresh, the fashion designer has been in several different controversies regarding his alleged treatment of ladies of colour. In June 2021, he caused a stir when he posted screenshots of Chrissy Teigen reportedly bullying him on Twitter in 2014.
According to Refinery29, Michael claimed Chrissy’s bullying resulted in him having “suicidal ideas.” Chrissy, on the other hand, has stated the DMs between her and Michael had been “faux” and accused him of mendacity about having emails of her additional bullying him. The Cravings creator then said she would be taking legal motion if his alleged slander of her endured.
Michael’s claims towards Chrissy resulted in other models and designers of colour accusing him of bullying them. Designer Maxie James took to Instagram at the top of the debate to show screenshots of Michael allegedly calling one of her supporters the N-word.
The comment got here after Maxie accused Michael of stealing one of her dress designs, the “Royale” get dressed, and rebranding it because the “Diana” dress. In the comment, Michael steered nobody would imagine Maxie because he had just lately “dressed Beyonce.”
Reply to @islandbabyy Yep! Michael Costello’s historical past isn’t blank either.
♬ original sound - K E M P I R E 🐘Model Falynn Pina and singer Leona Lewis have additionally accused Michael of body-shaming. Leona, specifically, claimed Michael refused to offer her a dress to put on for LA Fashion Week due to her not being “model dimension.” Falynn, for her part, claimed Michael reduce her from one of his LA Fashion Week displays after she confirmed up with a pair of lingerie on the clothier’s request.
“I see Michael and his sister speaking in a corner and having a look at me with this look on their faces as though I was the scum of the Earth,” Falynn wrote on Instagram in 2021. “Then, in entrance of all of the models and his team, they come over to me and say, ‘Someone used to be intended to name you. We don’t need you for the show and have nothing for you to put on.’”
Michael hasn’t shared his ideas at the allegations against him. The fashion designer also hasn’t addressed his 2023 controversy with Shereen.
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