Willy Chavarria is a force in fashion. Last year, he was named the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, one of the industry’s top honors.
But the queer California native (now a New York resident) threads heart and activism into his apparel. “I tell a story of great human dignity through the lens of fashion,” he describes. His runways are must-see events for their sartorial challenge of racism, xenophobia, and rigid gender norms. In fact, the now-ubiquitous baggy trouser can be traced to the designs of Chavarria, who paid homage to the zoot suit favored by men of color in midcentury America.
Chavarria is proud of the release of his SS25 collection. (“It is very salable on a global level,” he notes.) He recently released his XXX zine filled with Marco Ovando photographs celebrating the male form. And don’t miss his luxe “Dirty Willy” underwear line.
“I love to share a message of queer power in my work. I love incorporating queer and trans people into all my work. It's empowering and shares a message of strength and unity,” he says. @willychavarrianewyork
