WILLY CHAVARRIA

Willy Chavarria, Mexican-American designer awarded as CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year in 2023, has made ethnic and social diversity the beating heart of his creative research.

Born in Fresno, California, he grew up far from the fashion spotlight, immersed in the world of a working-class community of immigrant farmworkers and deeply marked by his Mexican roots. 

The world of fashion came later: he began his career at Joe Boxer, continued with Ralph Lauren, then worked for American Eagle Outfitters, before launching his eponymous brand in 2015. From 2021 to 2024, he also served as Senior Vice President of Design at Calvin Klein.

His objective has been clear from the start: to propose an inclusive and radically non-conformist aesthetic, capable of challenging the elitist codes of the industry. His style has become recognizable: oversized volumes and loose silhouettes alternate with precise tailoring; materials range from workswear to classic, while the color palette favors sober yet intense tones. 

On his runways, the protagonist is the Chicano: American models of Mexican origin, short in stature and brown-skinned, who embody an aesthetic where sacred and profane coexist. The queer universe is another vital source of inspiration, as is the defense of LGBTQ+ community rights.

For Chavarria, transgression is never mere provocation, but an act of authenticity: a reclamation of what the industry fears or misunderstands.

Willy Chavarria is not just a clothing brand but a political statement: a visible and passionate commitment to representing ethnic, social, and cultural minorities.