Willy Chavarria’s Paris Debut Was Romantic, Resilient and Real

On a Friday evening, Willy Chavarria, a Mexican-American menswear designer, had his first appearance at Paris Fashion Week at The American Cathedral in Paris. This venue was certainly fitting for Chavarria, who has recently been recognized as the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, as he made his transatlantic debut.

Inside the sacred confines of the venue, Chavarria revealed his Fall 2025 collection, named “Tarantula.” This collection embodies his unique perspective, which draws upon personal symbols of his historical marginalization – his queer identity, his mixed racial heritage as a descendant of an Irish-American mother and a Mexican-American father, and his upbringing among immigrant farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley. This vision aims to inspire those who share similar experiences.

Love bloomed abundantly on the Chavarria catwalk, featuring jacket embellishments of roses and Western hats adorned with flowers, along with a more intimate interpretation of tailored clothing. In the middle of the show, J Balvin graced the stage in a bow-tied tuxedo for an intimate solo performance. From her front-row seat, Valentina Ferrer, who has collaborated with Chavarria for their Fall 2024 campaign and was accompanied by her Colombian reggaeton partner, watched affectionately.

In both work and athletic attire, the designer’s bold proportions were enhanced by Italian materials such as silks, velvets, bouclé, and double-faced cashmere. The color scheme, a Baroque blend of rich golds, vibrant blues, powerful reds, and regal purples, shone on the diverse models, who, as expected, included muscular men, shorter individuals, tall fellows, men in their forties and fifties, long-haired gentlemen, and non-binary people.

In the wingside, a model, who spends his daytime hours delivering pizzas in New York City, shared how Chavarria’s team discovered him via a viral video showcasing his culinary skills at Scarr’s in the Lower East Side. He expressed his delight at being part of such an influential movement, as there are not many Latinos in Paris. Representing himself felt gratifying. This was his debut on any runway. Chavarria’s shows carry such a significant impact due to narratives like these. His inspirations are indeed authentic individuals.

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Previously, Chavarria unveiled his second joint project with adidas, offering a ’90s-influenced lifestyle line for both men and women, featuring sneakers designed in the style of combat boots. The designer partnered with Return to Vendor, an innovative single-material label that manufactures fully recyclable items using reclaimed fishing nets, to produce eyewear. Additionally, Chavarria collaborated with South Central Project to create four silk scarves showcasing Carlos Jaramillo’s photo essay titled Illumine Tu Camino.

In summary, the various acts of the collection created a versatile wardrobe characterized by resistance, contrast, and refinement. As stated in Chavarria’s show notes: “When the thunder strikes, it echoes for us both.” Under the veiled skies, his kiss is as tender and delicate as a tarantula’s hair. In essence, just like a tarantula, Chavarria’s Paris debut sent shivers of excitement down the cathedral’s spine.

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