Speaking his truth. Designer Michael Costello clapped back at Chrisley Knows Best star Savannah Chrisley after she slammed the Project Runway alum for allegedly refusing to dress her because she wasn’t “famous enough.”
“Y’all … Designer Michael Costello is currently bashing @kyliejenner for not giving credit to certain designers. And then @lalakent came forward saying Michael refused to dress her because she wasn’t ‘famous enough.’ And HE DID THE SAME THING TO ME FOR AN NBC EVENT!! Wouldn’t dress me because I just wasn’t famous enough for him. It’s truly so sad. But then @waltercollection dressed me in this gorgeous design and made me feel so much better!!” the blonde beauty wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 16.
Even though he wasn’t tagged, Costello responded to Savannah in the comments of her post. “You look, beautiful honey. I have nothing to say about you because I do not know you at all we have never met and you never reached out to me to get a ‘NO,’ but dig a little deeper, Walter was my best friend and use to work for me for 3 years. Like I said get the facts straight,” the 37-year-old wrote. “Not everyone should expect something for free if they are on a reality show … Had I known you personally and you followed me and reached out things could have been different but we are not friends and do not know each other on that level, there is no reason why you should feel entitled for me to dress you or make something for free for you or Lala. It doesn’t matter how famous anyone is all of my high-profile clients respect me and my work and come to me when they have a vision and budget. God bless.”
Their Instagram exchange didn’t stop there. “You are so kind … now that you’ve been called out … let’s get it straight. I need nothing for FREE nor have I ever asked anyone to do anything for me for free,” Chrisley replied, adding she spoke with his sister who claimed the reality star wasn’t high profile enough for him to dress, she continued, “We all make mistakes but judging people based off of your definition of “fame” is not OK.”
Getting the last word in, Costello made it clear that although celebrity press is exciting, it doesn’t generate direct capital for his business. “This has nothing to do with your level of fame … as a businesswoman yourself, I’m sure you understand that our staff has to eat,” he wrote. “I hope you and Lala Kent understand this. No amount of free dresses given to celebrities for ‘exposure’ can help my staff (who are mostly elderly women) pay rent, car mortgage, and more.”
Chrisley and Costello’s online feud comes shortly after the creator called out Kylie Jenner for not properly crediting the designers who dress her. “Thank you Oliver for the perfect bday dress,” he commented on Jenner’s August 12 post, thanking the Balmain designer for birthday her look. “And thank you to the no-name designers who work tirelessly around the clock on custom looks who she won’t tag, mention or @ . . . Unless it’s paid.”
Noticing Costello’s shade, Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent took to her Instagram Story to share her experience with the designer, claiming he wouldn’t make her wedding dress because she wasn’t “big enough.”
In response, Costello posted a screenshot of his conversation with Kent’s wedding planner. “You wanted us to dress you and we passed,” he captioned the post. “You didn’t want to buy anything we also confirmed an appointment for you and it was a no show! Why are you complaining a whole year later? God bless.”
“Made my point,” Kent replied. “You passed on me just like Kylie Jenner passes on you. Get over it.”