Willy Chavarria

California-born designer Willy Chavarria began his creative career in commercial art, studying graphic design at the Academy of the Arts before finding his true calling in fashion. Chavarria's work channels a commitment to human dignity and uplifting the underrepresented through the transformative power of design. His collections blend a sensitive, cinematic approach with contemporary political themes, creating garments that tell compelling stories of resilience and identity while visually articulating a compelling story of the spirit. Inspired by his Mexican American heritage, street culture, and civil rights movements, Chavarria's work speaks to the beauty found in everyday life. Beyond fashion, he collaborates with organizations advocating for social justice and striving to be a voice for the voiceless. His provocative runway presentations have earned recognition from Barneys, Dover Street Market, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Brown's. A finalist for the International Woolmark Prize in 2018, Chavarria received the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2021 and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's National Design Award for Fashion Design in 2022. Most recently, he was honored as the 2023 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year.