A Project Runway contestant called out Karlie Kloss' Jared Kushner connection just before his elimination on January 2. The supermodel is married to Joshua Kushner, brother of White House advisor Jared Kushner.
The drama unfolded when 29-year-old Tyler Neasloney found himself in the hot seat over an outfit that he designed for the Kloss. The challenge called on contestants to create an "upcycled" ensemble for Kloss to wear in Paris at a CFDA event. They were taken to Goodwill to source used clothing that could be given a second life as the new garment representing the model's American roots. Many of the other designers leaned into the challenge with great success, designing outfits like denim high-waisted pants paired with a crop top made from 12 pairs of used blue jeans or a fashion-forward tuxedo dress with abdominal cut-outs sourced from old suits. Neasloney's outfit was a twee high neck top with a tuxedo ruffle and a fitted black pencil skirt with a white cutout design on the hip. He felt that his look was the epitome of Hampton chic, or the ladies-who-lunch set. The judges vehemently disagreed.
"I cannot see Karlie wearing it anywhere, honestly," commented designer Brandon Maxwell. "Not even to dinner with the Kushners?" quipped Neasloney. There were audible gasps from the other designers, who watched the moment on monitors in the green room. Even contestant Brittany Allen exclaimed, "Oh no, Tyler, don’t say that out loud!" Kloss was visibly shaken by the remark. Her mouth agape, she skewered the designer for not heeding the parameters of the challenge, with a veiled tinge of reprimanding him for his hubris. Check out the clip below:
Kloss and Kushner married in October 2018. It's been widely reported that his entire family opposed the marriage to Kloss, and even banned her from family events. Joshua Kushner's political affiliations are said to be more liberal than those of his brother and parents. There were also reports that the Kushners opposed Kloss because she's not Jewish, nor did she convert after their wedding. In a scathing tell-all book called Kushner Inc., the supermodel's rocky path to marriage is revealed. This may have led to her visceral response over Neasloney's Project Runway gaffe.
If the reports are true that her in-laws disapprove of her, it's understandable that Kloss would be visibly shaken by anyone bringing that up. What Neasloney did - on and off the catwalk - was tacky. He didn't adhere to the challenge, designing something for the sartorial darling that she wouldn't be caught dead in. Yet, to punctuate it with a personal jab was uncalled for. It was excellent TV, but a low blow. Just before exiting the show, Neasloney apologized, letting Kloss know that he isn't a jerk or a bad person, but the damage was done. Karlie Kloss' can of worms with her in-laws has been reopened, and Neasloney's tragic socialite costume will now live in infamy... for all the wrong reasons.
Source: Town and Country, The Cut, Evan Ross Katz