Michael Kuluva

Michael David Kuluva (born May 6, 1983) is an American fashion designer and founder of the New York fashion week label Tumbler and Tipsy.^[1] He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. In 2012, Kuluva became the first fashion designer to collaborate with a video game software company, Ubisoft to design high end garments for the New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 runway.^[2][3]

Early life

Kuluva was born in Montana but raised in Los Angeles, California.^[4] He grew up with parents, Randy and Carol, who are both attorneys in California however Kuluva had a passion for competitive figure skating which led him into the world of fashion.^[5] Kuluva graduated with honors from Montclair College Preparatory School in 2001 and forwent college at that time to pursue his professional figure skating career.

Figure Skating Career

Michael competed in amateur U.S. Figure Skating, from 1989 through 2001, reaching the national and international level before moving into professional figure skating. Michael toured with Holiday On Ice as himself and Disney on Ice as the principal performer in their Disney/Pixar's The Incredible's in a Magic Kingdom Adventure production^[6] by portraying the main role of Dash Parr.^[7] Kuluva continued to portray the role of Dash Parr with Disney On Ice in 2005 for syndicated United States national television shows including Good Morning America, Live! with Kelly and Michael and The Today Show. Michael was also featured as himself in the Sony Motion Picture, "The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold" in 2006.^[8][9]

Fashion Design Career

Kuluva started designing in 2009 and retired from the sport of figure skating to begin schooling at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.^[10] Kuluva started his fashion label Tumbler and Tipsy while attending FIDM and then was also asked to be a part of Los Angeles Fashion Week as an emerging designer. In September 2012, Kuluva graduated from FIDM with a degree in fashion design and presented his Spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week.^[11] For Kuluva's debut fashion show in New York City, he partnered with Ubisoft to design collaborative garments inspired by the video game Just Dance 4 that were then shown on the runway by celebrities such as Kendall Jenner^[12] and Olympic Gold Medalist Alex Morgan.^[13]

For Kuluva's sophomore New York Fashion Week show in February 2013,^[14] Kuluva presented his Fall 2013 collection of plaid tweed garments which were inspired by the 1990s grunge movement while also staying true to the brands signature sequin look.^[15] Kuluva also maintained his outlook on today's Popular Culture by having Rick Genest^[16] "Zombie Boy" walk his runway alongside U.S. Figure Skating's three time senior men's national champion and 2010 Winter Olympics competitor, Johnny Weir.^[17] Kuluva developed partnerships with the Conair Corporation for their release of the "Infiniti by Conair" collection and with the luxury audio company Harman Kardon,^[18] as they released their new audio headphones during the New York Fashion Week show.^[19] Kuluva was asked to present his Fall 2013 collection two more time's on the runway during Los Angeles Fashion Week,^[20] which were both received with rave reviews by industry critics and fans.^[21]

For the Tumbler and Tipsy Spring/Summer 2014 fashion season, Kuluva designed a collection entitled "So Next Level" which was inspired by today's popular fashion culture plus the future of "party themed" fashions. For the New York Fashion Week runway show, Neon Hitch opened the celebrity filled show with a live harpist on stage performing her hit single, "Love U Betta",^[22] while also wearing the collaborative "Out of the Closet Hanger Gown" designed for AIDS Healthcare Foundation who presented this seasons runway show.^[23] The Tumbler and Tipsy runway show continued with celebrity models coming down the infamous "T & T" catwalk ^[24][25] such as Perez Hilton,^[26] Tarik Lakehal, Brielle Biermann,^[27] Yasmine Petty and Johnny Weir.^[28] This season also had exclusive partners such as Swarovski Austrian Crystals, Caviar Frames and Flips Audio Headphones.^[29]

The partnership continued with Kuluva and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who also owns the Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, in which Kuluva participated in help opening their Brooklyn location with the successful "Donate & Style Contest".^[30] Another appearance in Los Angeles at their flagship store kicked off during Los Angeles Fashion Week for their "Donate & Style West Coast Contest" in which all proceeds went to the United States largest AIDS healthcare non profit organization. Tumbler and Tipsy also took to the runway two more times at Los Angeles Fashion Week showcasing the labels best looks of the season plus featured reality television star Josie Stevens.^[31] Kuluva's designs quickly swarmed into international tabloids by appearing in US Weekly,^[32] E! ^[33] and Wet Paint ^[34] plus many many other publications for his phenomenal celebrity pop culture endorsed collection.

Michael's fashion designs and himself have been published internationally in publications such as Vogue Italia,^[35] Elle September 2012 Edition,^[36] Women's Wear Daily^[37] Elle December 2012 and Elle May 2013 issues.^[38] Kuluva's celebrity fanbase includes Kendall Jenner, Lance Bass, Kylie Jenner, Lil' Kim, Sasha Cohen, Kris Jenner, Tara Lipinski, Alex Morgan, Johnny Weir, Candis Cayne, Rick Genest "Zombie Boy", Sarah Hughes, Amanda Lepore, Perez Hilton, Brett Davern, Rye Rye, Cher Lloyd, David Arquette, Richie Rich (designer), Traver Rains, Tai Babilonia, Neon Hitch, Stevie Boi, Brielle Biermann, Tiffany Foxx, Carson Kressley, Dale Moss, Adam Rippon, Yasmine Petty, Joey King, Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Cazwell, Colette Carr, Mirai Nagasu, Kristin Adams, Jennifer Don, and Lil Debbie.

Relationship & Marriage

Kuluva began dating Olympic Figure Skater & United States Figure Skating National Ice Dance Champion Russ Witherby in December 2012 and they got engaged in December 2013. They married on December 13, 2014 at the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage, CA.^[39] Witherby's fellow US Olympic figure skating partner April Sargent and world renowned Olympic figure skating coach Frank Carroll were both in attendance along with the other invited guests.

Filmography

References

External links

• Official website
• Michael Kuluva at the Internet Movie Database