Dear Shaded Viewers,
Willy Chavarria’s Paris debut at the American Cathedral last night was a powerful testament to the transformative potential of fashion25. The Mexican-American designer’s fall 2025 collection, titled “Tarantula,” seamlessly blended sartorial excellence with a profound social message.
The show’s backdrop, an Episcopalian church, served as a poignant canvas for Chavarria’s vision of inclusivity and resistance25. The designer’s signature aesthetic – wide-cut trousers, structured shoulders, and spread collar shirts – was elevated with Italian tailoring, creating a sophisticated interpretation of Latin Zoot suits, dandy dressing, and gangster sportswear.
Chavarria’s casting choices were particularly impactful, featuring a diverse array of models that included delivery drivers, boxers, and established figures from the worlds of music and fashion4. This eclectic mix included celebrities like J Balvin, Tokischa, Becky G, DJ Honey Dijon, and Ozuna, alongside emerging talents discovered on the streets of Paris.
The collection itself was a masterful blend of the sacred and profane, with pieces ranging from boucle tweed jackets to corseted silk-moire gowns5. Chavarria’s expansion into womenswear and accessories, including a new line of bags, demonstrated his growing influence in the fashion world.
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the show came at its conclusion, when Chavarria played a recording of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s sermon calling for compassion towards the LGBTIQ+ community, immigrants, and other marginalized groups25. This bold statement underscored the designer’s commitment to using fashion as a platform for social change.
In a time when human rights are under threat, Chavarria’s debut in Paris was more than just a fashion show – it was a rallying cry for unity, dignity, and equality24. By bringing his unique perspective and diverse community to one of fashion’s most prestigious stages, Chavarria has solidified his position as a designer unafraid to take a stand and push the boundaries of what fashion can represent.
Later,
Diane
