Michael Kuluva

Michael David Kuluva
Born	(1983-05-06) May 6, 1983 Montana, United States
Occupation(s)	Fashion designer, former figure skater
Years active	2009–present (fashion design)
Known for	Founder of Tumbler and Tipsy fashion label

Michael David Kuluva (born May 6, 1983) is an American fashion designer and the creator of the New York Fashion Week label Tumbler and Tipsy. He operates out of Los Angeles, California. In 2012, Kuluva collaborated with the video game corporation Ubisoft to design luxury apparel presented at New York Fashion Week Spring 2013.

Early life

Born in Montana and raised in Los Angeles, Kuluva is the son of attorneys Randy and Carol. His enthusiasm for competitive figure skating played a significant role in steering him toward fashion. He attended Sierra Canyon School and graduated with honors from Montclair College Preparatory School in 2001, opting to pursue a career in professional figure skating rather than attend college.

Kuluva's maternal grandfather, Roy Walter McClean, served as President of Retlaw Enterprises, Walt Disney's private company, and was employed by the Walt Disney Company from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. McClean passed away in 2005.

Figure skating career

From 1989 to 2001, Kuluva competed in amateur U.S. Figure Skating, reaching national and international competitions before turning professional. He toured with Holiday On Ice and Disney on Ice, performing as the lead character Dash Parr in the Disney/Pixar production The Incredibles Magic Kingdom Adventure. In 2005, he reprised this role on nationally syndicated U.S. television programs such as Good Morning America, Live! with Kelly and Michael, and The Today Show. Additionally, he appeared as himself in the 2006 Sony film "The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold".

Fashion design career

After retiring from figure skating, Kuluva began designing in 2009 by enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. During his time at FIDM, he launched his fashion brand Tumbler and Tipsy and was invited to showcase as an emerging designer at Los Angeles Fashion Week. Upon graduating with a degree in fashion design in September 2012, Kuluva debuted his Spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week. This inaugural show included a collaboration with Ubisoft inspired by the video game Just Dance 4, featuring celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan.

At his second New York Fashion Week appearance in February 2013, Kuluva unveiled a Fall 2013 plaid tweed collection influenced by 1990s grunge while preserving his hallmark sequin style. The runway featured notable figures including Rick Genest ("Zombie Boy") and U.S. Figure Skating champion Johnny Weir. This season also highlighted strategic partnerships with Conair Corporation for their "Infiniti by Conair" line and luxury audio brand Harman Kardon, integrating product launches into the runway presentations. The Fall 2013 collection was showcased twice during Los Angeles Fashion Week as well.

For Spring/Summer 2014, Kuluva’s "So Next Level" collection drew inspiration from modern party culture. The New York Fashion Week event opened with a live performance by Neon Hitch and involved collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s "Out of the Closet" thrift stores, which also sponsored the runway. Attendees included celebrities Perez Hilton, Brielle Biermann, Yasmine Petty, and Johnny Weir. Exclusive collaborations featured Swarovski crystals, Caviar Frames, and Flips Audio Headphones.

Continuing his partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Kuluva organized "Donate & Style" contests supporting their Brooklyn and Los Angeles locations during respective fashion weeks. Tumbler and Tipsy appeared twice more at Los Angeles Fashion Week, showcasing reality TV personality Josie Stevens. The brand attracted media attention from outlets such as US Weekly, E!, and Wet Paint.

The Spring/Summer 2015 "Pop Jungle" collection premiered at New York Fashion Week's "Top of the Garden" penthouse, combining seventies tie-dye aesthetics with pop culture elements. The runway soundtrack featured Kuluva’s solo track "Do it non stop," produced by Cherrytree Records & Interscope Records, with Amanda Lepore closing the show. The collection was later presented at Los Angeles Fashion Week including appearances by actress Candis Cayne, NFL player Dale Moss, and reality star Asia Monet Ray for the launch of the children's line "Tumbler and Tiny." LA Weekly recognized it among the "6 Top Sexiest Looks of Los Angeles Fashion Week."

For Fall/Winter 2015, Kuluva introduced the capsule collection "Tres Tipsy," inspired by Parisian nostalgia utilizing blue, white, and red hues. The finale featured a "French Flag" gown worn by former Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones.

The Spring/Summer 2016 "Champagne Wishes & Candy Dreams" collection was revealed at New York Fashion Week on September 16, 2015, presented by Kia Motors. This candy-themed line incorporated collaborations with Jelly Belly and Pop Rocks candy companies and introduced The Glitter Bar—an edible glitter chocolate bar—which inspired a couture gown constructed from over 100 wrappers. Noteworthy runway participants included America's Next Top Model contestant Ava Capra wearing a Jelly Belly-adorned corset gown paired with signature "Tipsy Tutu" shoes. Reality television personalities Jill Zarin and Jonny Drubel also took part. The season featured a Swarovski Crystal collaborative gown modeled by America's Next Top Model contestant Hadassah Richardson to promote children's literacy through a partnership with Reading Rainbow. Front-row guests included Big Ang, Ally Shapiro, Bobby Zarin, and Josh Canfield.

Kuluva’s Spring/Summer 2017 "Creaky and Tipsy" collection aimed to raise arthritis awareness while retaining Tumbler and Tipsy's playful essence. Designed to visually represent joint pain through sporty spandex-like garments that highlight pressure points when worn, this collection marked Kuluva's public revelation of his diagnosis with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 28. Partnering with nonprofit CreakyJoints, he utilized fashion as a platform to advocate for arthritis awareness. The runway included Olympic gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad, silver medalist Nia Ali, Somaya Reece, dancer Asaf Goren from "So You Think You Can Dance", and Milania Giudice, daughter of reality star Teresa Giudice.

Kuluva's creations have been internationally featured in publications such as Vogue Italia, Elle US editions (September 2012, December 2012, May 2013), Women's Wear Daily, along with Elle Japan (September 2016) and Thailand (December 2016).

In 2015, Kuluva appeared on America's Next Top Model Cycle 22 during the designers' competition segment showcasing Tumbler and Tipsy.

Personal life

In December 2012, Kuluva began a relationship with figure skater Russ Witherby. They became engaged one year later, in December 2013, and tied the knot on December 13, 2014, at the Ritz-Carlton located in Rancho Mirage, California. The couple eventually separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2017.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2017	Growing Up Supermodel	Himself	Television series
2017	First Family of Hip Hop	Himself	Television series
2016	Cholos Try	Himself	Television series
2015	America's Next Top Model	Himself	Television series
2014	Fashion News Live	Himself	Television series
2014	Beverly Hills Pawn	Himself	Television series
2013	Fashion News Live	Himself	Television series
2012	Entertainment Tonight	Himself	Television series
2012	Access Hollywood	Himself	Television series
2012	E! News	Himself	Television series
2012	Fashion News Live	Himself	Television series
2011	Deal or No Deal	Himself	Television series
2006	The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold	Skater (Cameo)	Feature film
2005	Good Morning America	Dash Parr	Television series
2005	The Today Show	Dash Parr	Television series
2005	Live with Regis and Kelly	Dash Parr	Television series
2005	The Daily Buzz	Dash Parr/Himself	Television series