Bio
Willy Chavarria, originally from California, began his creative journey with a focus on commercial art, studying graphic design at the Academy of the Arts. However, he ultimately found his passion in the world of fashion, where he decided to channel his talents to enhance human dignity. His mission is to uplift the underrepresented through the transformative power of art and design.
The Willy Chavarria collections embody a sensitive and cinematic approach, seamlessly blending the emotional depth of art with contemporary political themes, telling a compelling story of the human spirit. Willy strives to be a voice for the voiceless, often collaborating with organizations to advocate for social justice. His inspiration is drawn from biographical elements, including nods to his Mexican-American heritage, the beauty found in the streets, and the surrounding culture. The brand continues to gain recognition through provocative and thought-provoking runway presentations, catching the attention of world-renowned stores such as Dover Street Market, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrod鈥檚.
Willy's accolades include being a finalist for the International Woolmark Prize in 2018, one of the ten winners of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund in 2021, and a recipient of a small business grant from IMG and the state of New York in 2022. In September 2022, he was honored with the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Award in Fashion Design. In 2023 and 2024, Willy was celebrated as the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year as well as Designer of the Year the Latin American Fashion Awards in 2023. Most recently, Willy Chavarria presented his FW25 collection, Tarantula at Paris Fashion Week.