Willy Chavarria continues to reshape the landscape of American menswear by weaving his Latinx heritage into every design, a mission recently highlighted through his debut collaboration with adidas Originals. Released earlier this month, the partnership received widespread praise—not only for its fashion-forward appeal but for its cultural significance. Known for advocating LGBTQIA+ rights, immigrant visibility, and human dignity, Chavarria is using his platform to share deeper stories with a broader audience.
His Mexican-American identity takes center stage in the Willy Chavarría x Adidas Spring/Summer 2025 collection, which showcases his bold black and red palette paired with adidas’ iconic three-stripe design. One standout feature is the revival of the classic adidas Jabbar sneaker, originally crafted for legendary basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
While the collaboration speaks to streetwear enthusiasts, it also showcases Chavarria’s deep understanding of Chicano history and its influence in modern fashion. This was also evident at the 2025 Met Gala, themed around Black dandies. Chavarria and artist Maluma arrived in custom suits inspired by the Pachuco style of the 1930s—a bold symbol of resistance worn by Mexican Americans in the face of racism. The look was completed with footwear from Portuguese designer Carlos Santos.
“The Pachuco, as we know, is the quintessential dandy from the ’30s and ’40s representing Latinos and Black (people) who dressed as a form of resistance to the beauty,” Chavarria explained. “I hope to encapsulate that.”
Chavarria consistently incorporates cultural symbolism into his creative work—from the prints and silhouettes he chooses to his runway music and casting decisions. His commitment to inclusive luxury fashion is unmistakable. He collaborates intentionally with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, YG, Tokischa, and Becky G, and he is vocal about giving proper credit to underrepresented communities and creatives.
At the 76th Annual Parsons Benefit held last night, Chavarria was honored for his groundbreaking work. The award was presented by AJ Hikes, Executive Deputy Director of the ACLU, who delivered a powerful message about the ongoing importance of diversity and inclusion. Prior to accepting the award, Chavarria shared more about the deep cultural roots that inform his designs.
“It really started [with] the Pachuco suit in the thirties and forties, which was, as we know, outlawed; Brown people could not wear the suit,” Chavarria said. “But that evolved into a baggy look, which went from Pachuco into more modern age Cholo, which were gang related. And the gang relations were actually a way to claim territory that had been robbed. And unfortunately, it turned into drugs and violence, but that’s the way the world built us.”
He continued, “That influence in fashion—baggy clothes—has stayed around. It went from the Mexican influence to the skate culture, which immediately took that and profited off it. And we got all those brands that went to town with the baggy [clothing]. And now we see baggy everywhere. We see major luxury brands claiming it.”
Willy Chavarria is proving to be a true disruptor in the fashion world—breaking molds and ensuring that representation and authenticity are not just celebrated but embedded in the industry’s future. His designs are more than garments—they’re stories, histories, and calls to action.
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