In this week’s episode of The Run-Through, designer Willy Chavarria sits down with José Criales-Unzueta for a candid conversation ahead of his New York Fashion Week show. Chavarria, whose designs are beloved by celebrities like Bad Bunny and Serena Williams, draws inspiration from the vibrant communities he surrounds himself with.
His upcoming Spring 2025 collection, titled “América,” is a reflection of his personal journey and the current socio-political landscape. With the next presidential election looming, Chavarria finds himself deeply introspective. He believes in the power of individuals to create change, saying, “I want us to see ourselves as people with power who can make things happen.”
The collection draws inspiration from the civil rights and farm labor movements, reflecting Chavarria’s own heritage as the grandson of a farm laborer. This collection, like his previous work, embodies Chavarria’s commitment to inclusivity and elevating the everyday. He has consistently chosen to cast his shows with diverse individuals, rejecting traditional modeling agencies. “The crooked teeth, or the lazy eye, or the bad skin, or the whatever…That’s the hotness,” he says. “That is really the guts of what I like to create.”
The episode also features a rundown of the latest fashion news, including the appointment of Haider Ackermann as the new creative head at Tom Ford, and a look at the most stylish moments from the Venice Film Festival.
