“I wanted to do something in the financial district, in the heart of the American capitalistic system. And at the same time, I wanted it to feel very American, and I wanted it to feel like the America that a lot of people don’t get recognized for being a part of,” Willy Chavarria said backstage.
His spring collection was presented in a raw industrial space on Wall Street directly across from the New York Stock Exchange, the trading hub of the world’s biggest economy. Upon entering the show space, guests could imbibe tequila infused cocktails, provided by Mexican spirit brand Don Julio. It was part of the unveiling of the first-ever Willy Chavarria x Tequila Don Julio Capsule Collection, celebrating the launch of the Tequila Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino Artist Edition bottle designed by Chavarria, providing a new look and feel to the world’s first añejo Cristalino tequila ahead of Día de Muertos.
The capsule also features a linen guayabera shirt, drawstring pants and shorts, and a straw ranchero hat, all inspired by Chavarria’s Mexican-American roots.
As for his main collection, titled “America,” it was not without symbolism. Models paraded down a runway in front of an immense American flag, show notes contained imagery of Lady Liberty and pocket size booklets of the Constitution were on every seat. It was “America” through the Willy Chavarria lens with a clear message — that the “land of the free” was built by immigrants.
“This country is made of immigrants, we all belong, and we all have a purpose here, and we all have the power to shape the future of the country,” he said.
Uniforms and workwear were a focus, which is no surprise given he worked for stalwart American labels such as Joe Boxer, American Eagle and Ralph Lauren before beginning his label.
“I’m approaching it from a way where I’m cholo Ralph, Lauren, or even chicano Michael Kors,” said Chavarria (Kors coincidentally was in attendance at the show, as were fellow designers Narciso Rodriguez and Maria Cornejo).
The designer continued to imbue elegance into his clothes with a slimmer silhouette, as seen on his signature tailoring with oversized blazers, this time paired with high waisted chino pants that were fuller in the hips and straighter in the leg.
Classic workwear zip jackets with slightly ballooned sleeves; cropped buttery leather jackets with oversized pockets; updated mesh jerseys as well as his oversized satin bombers and plaid shirting were among the other highlights.
Chavarria also revealed a surprise collaboration with Adidas with an array of looks that ranged from tracksuits to the classic Adidas track jacket but in a cropped version with puffed sleeves and oversized jerseys, as well as a reinterpretation of the classic Jabbar sneaker. American Olympic champion Noah Lyles closed the Adidas section of the show.
Chavarria continues to push the boundaries of traditional menswear each season while amplifying his vision that stems from his Latino roots and ongoing push for inclusivity.
“I want to make sure that I’m a designer that is creating clothes for all people to wear,” he said.