Willy Chavarria
Willy Chavarria is a Mexican American fashion designer whose namesake label brings Chicano heritage, generous silhouettes and a commitment to human dignity to the runway.
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Latest
Willy’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Runway
Runway
ZaraOverview
- From
- California’s San Joaquin Valley
- Creative roots
- Graphic design at the Academy of Art University
- Own label
- Launched in 2015
- Recognition
- CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year, 2023 and 2024
- Community
- ACLU artist ambassador for immigrants’ rights and LGBTQ rights
Mini bio
How it started.
Willy grew up in a small San Joaquin Valley community of immigrant farm laborers. He studied graphic design at the Academy of Art University and worked with Nicholas Graham on Joe Boxer before moving into design at Ralph Lauren. Those years helped shape his eye for luxury and detail.
Finding his own voice.
After opening a menswear shop in New York’s SoHo in 2010, he built relationships with Japanese retailers. His own label launched in 2015, and Baycrews later asked him to design a collection for Tokyo’s Journal Standard stores in fall 2016.
Recognition and reach.
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recognized him in 2021, followed by Cooper Hewitt’s National Design Award for Fashion Design in 2022. He won the CFDA’s American Menswear Designer of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024, then made his Paris runway debut with Tarantula in January 2025.
Clothes with a purpose.
His Mexican American heritage and the people around him inform his designs. In July 2025, he became an ACLU artist ambassador for immigrants’ rights and LGBTQ rights, giving an official home to advocacy already woven into his work.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026adidas Originals adiSignatureCreative advisor
- 2026Vatísimo for ZaraCollaborating designer
- 2025Huron, spring/summer 2026Designer
- 2025Tarantula, autumn/winter 2025Designer; Paris runway debut
- 2022Calvin KleinSenior vice president of design, as credited by Cooper Hewitt in 2022
- 2015Willy ChavarriaFounder and designer
Awards
Quotes
I believe in using our creative gifts to defend the rights of humanityWilly Chavarria, ACLU announcement, July 23, 2025
On becoming an ACLU artist ambassador for immigrants’ rights and LGBTQ rights.
Trivia
- He and his husband, David Ramirez, ran the vintage shop Palmer Trading Co. in New York.
- He bought back his own archive designs on eBay for his tenth-anniversary Paris debut.
- His Believers collection used 5683, the numbers that spell LOVE on a telephone keypad.
- Cut Deep brought a runway presentation into Manhattan’s Astor Place Barbershop.
Find Willy
Follow Willy’s collections, runway films and creative community.
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