FAS HI O N
MICHAEL COSTELLO
MILLION MASK MISSION interview MARLLEY GONZALEZ Fabric, scissors, and ingenuity. These are some of the key components that Michael Costello employs to fight back against COVID-19 and make a contribution during a global pandemic. Fashion was something that always came naturally to Michael. The designer opened up his first boutique in Palm Springs at the age of 15 and by the time he turned 34 was honored with the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. While many fans recognize him from Lifetime’s “Project Runway” franchise, and red carpet designs created for A-list celebrities like Beyoncé and JLO, he can add humanitarian to his resume. As coronavirus surged across the country, the designer launched “Million Mask Mission” to make face mask coverings for healthcare workers, police officers, and essential workers to help meet a supply shortage. Documenting his experience on social media, Costello invites his 1.3 million audience on Instagram to follow along the journey and watch the process. “This is for people to learn more about, coming together as a community to fight this PANDEMIC…and use our influence to shed light on how we can help our community and elderly who are at risk,” wrote Michael in a post. Since then, Costello has been giving back to the community handing out masks to healthcare workers, firefighters and USPS. Every sale from face 82
COACHELLA MAGAZINE
masks sold on his website goes right back into making more masks to be donated. Michael’s resilience in the face of adversity has proven his commitment to fashion and a good cause. Last spring, Coachella Magazine chatted with Michael Costello over a live stream interview on Instagram. Read excerpts from our conversation here. Helping frontline and essential workers. We started a Million Mask Mission during the course of coronavirus and the state of emergency pandemic. When the president issued the stay at home and the mayor, Eric Garcetti issued to stay at home, we started right around that time trying to figure out how we can help to address this national pandemic and what we can do on our end. Given the facility and the machines that we have to start making masks and encouraging more and more people to start making masks. As a fashion designer, I just felt so stupid, just sitting on my couch, watching TV and watching shows and, you know, ordering Postmates. When I knew I had the machines and I had friends in the fashion industry, and I know so many people who can, help with this cause. So I talked to the stylist friend of mine, and one of the girls that worked with me and I said, let’s
