Designer Michael Costello alleges he, staff were 'verbally abused' at Fashion Week El Paseo

Fashion designer Michael Costello took to social media to express his disappointment over an incident that occurred at Fashion Week El Paseo, alleging that he and his crew were "verbally abused, discriminated against and disrespected by the head of security" on Sunday.

Costello, who appeared on the show "Project Runway," has participated in the Palm Desert fashion show for the past 12 years, he wrote on his Facebook page. But during his show on Sunday, he alleged the head of security, who identified herself as Tina, threatened him and his staff.

"Last night, our staff was verbally abused, discriminated against and disrespected by the head of security, who introduced herself as Tina. I was verbally assaulted by her, the person in charge of security operations, as hired by El Paseo Fashion Week," Costello wrote. "She was supposed to protect me and my team by making sure we feel safe, and that all of the show’s guests are safe. Instead, we were disrespected multiple times throughout the night and we did not feel safe. We were threatened to the extent that we didn’t feel safe leaving our beautiful gowns and pieces overnight at the venue."

As a result of the incident, Costello decided to not hold a trunk show on Monday. Additionally, due to the guard's actions, "actions of the individual who put Tina in that position of power, and the lack of internal structure in place," Costello said the Sunday show would be his last at Fashion Week El Paseo.

"As you all know, there are many steps to the fashion show, and what goes on behind-the-scenes is not always glamorous," he wrote. "But one policy my company has is to treat people with kindness, and even under the most immense pressure — we do not tolerate bullying, discrimination, or abuse of any kind."

The Desert Sun reached out to Fashion Week El Paseo staff and Costello for further comment, but nobody had responded as of Thursday afternoon.

Costello wrote that he trusts that leadership behind Fashion Week El Paseo will "do their due diligence in holding not just Tina, but the person who put her in position of power, responsible."

He did, however, have kind words to share about Fashion Week El Paseo and the team who puts on the event.

"It is important for me to let all my followers, fans, friends and supporters of the Michael Costello brand to know that her actions do not reflect the hard working, dedicated, and passionate team behind El Paseo Fashion Week. They are the heart and soul of the Palm Desert, and it has brought me immense pride to have worked with them the past 12 years to create so many magical moments," Costello said. "Thank you for the opportunity to bring so much joy and pride to my hometown of Palm Springs."

Fashion Week El Paseo concluded Thursday.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Michael Costello alleges verbal abuse during Fashion Week El Paseo