Words, SVD. Photo, Willy Chavarria, adidas & SVD.
Willy Chavarria. The designer who proudly dresses identity.
April 30, 2025.
In an industry obsessed with aesthetics and trends, Willy Chavarria does something radical: he designs with heart. His work isn’t just seen—it’s felt. Born in California into a Mexican family, Chavarria has skillfully translated his bicultural experience into a unique vision where fashion, activism, and emotion unapologetically intersect.
His journey is not your typical meteoric rise. Chavarria began his career in design, working at Calvin Klein and later Perry Ellis, before deciding to launch his own brand. Based in New York, his eponymous label has become a platform for challenging conventions of gender, race, and class through oversized silhouettes, streetwear influences, and Chicano imagery.
Willy doesn’t just create clothes, he tells stories. His runway shows feature racialized models, diverse bodies, and gestures that break stereotypes and invite a rethinking of modern masculinity. Each of his pieces carries a deep narrative: queer pride, migrant resilience, and the power of the collective. His style blends theatrical tailoring with the rawness of everyday uniforms, creating a perfect tension between vulnerability and strength.
For all these reasons, his collaboration with adidas isn’t just a creative partnership but a natural evolution. From their earliest projects, Chavarria’s unique sensitivity has reinterpreted classic silhouettes, taking them to a more sophisticated and emotional place, without losing the street essence that keeps them relevant. In this latest drop—a capsule collection featuring leather sneakers in muted tones and minimalist cuts—adidas x Willy Chavarria once again proves how sports heritage and intentional design can go hand in hand.
Because what makes Willy Chavarria truly great is not just his ability to combine fabrics, but his gift for telling stories that matter, and doing it with style.
