Merci Willy Chavarria, the New King of Paris Fashion Week

The Mexican-American designer trades the concrete jungle of NYC for the City of Lights, with a message as vital as ever.

WRITER: Marien Brandon PHOTOGRAPHER: Melodie Jeng

There is a singular beauty in witnessing a designer take their first steps onto the sacred ground of Paris Fashion Week. For Willy Chavarria, this milestone is not only a moment of personal triumph but a statement of defiance and unity. As Chavarria and his team made their way to the French capital, the celebration of his eponymous brand’s 10th anniversary carried a significance far beyond the confines of fashion.

Showing in Paris on a global stage with a powerful message of love, human dignity and human rights is incredibly meaningful.

Willy Chavarria's Fall/Winter 2025 collection marked the designer's Paris Fashion Week debut and his eponymous label's 10th anniversary.

Set in the French capital's American Cathedral, Chavarria tapped into the city's legacy as a cultural beacon while channelling his own diasporic roots.

Informed by the United States' tapestry of identities and experiences, Chavarria's work reflects on the contributions of immigrants on fashion and the arts.

Often referencing Latino subcultures in North America, looks were detailed with pointed collars and workwear-inspired accents.

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Named after the song "Tarantula" by This Mortal Coil, the collection mirrored the song's dark poetic mood through oversized tailoring and sensual silhouettes.