Set against the neo-Gothic backdrop of the American Cathedral in Paris, Willy Chavarria’s Fall Winter 2025 runway show, Tarantula, celebrated the designer’s 10-year journey in the fashion industry. The January 24th presentation marked Chavarria’s bold Paris Fashion Week debut, blending the grit of American subcultures with the sophistication of European craftsmanship, creating a deeply personal yet universally resonant statement.
FALL WINTER 2025.26 COLLECTIONS
At the core of Tarantula was the theme of chiaroscuro, a study in contrasts that highlighted the interplay of light and shadow. This metaphor extended to the collection itself, where resilience, identity, and community emerged as central narratives. Signature oversized silhouettes were reimagined through the lens of European luxury, incorporating sumptuous fabrics such as silks, velvets, and double-faced cashmere, sourced from Italy. The color palette—Opulent Gold, Baroque Blue, Crimson Elegance, and Majestic Plum—paid homage to Baroque artistry, imbuing the collection with a sense of dramatic opulence.
Chavarria’s iconic tailoring took center stage with standout pieces such as a unisex opera jacket featuring dramatic volume, sculptural velvet suits, and the innovative Chuco suit, which offered a relaxed yet architectural fit. This season also saw the debut of the Body-Tee, a bodysuit with Chavarria’s signature oversized aesthetic. Accessories, including leather goods crafted in Italy and handmade jewelry from Mexico City, added layers of texture and cultural depth to the collection.
Collaboration played a pivotal role in Tarantula. Chavarria’s second partnership with Adidas delivered a lifestyle collection inspired by ’90s hip-hop culture, featuring oversized leather bombers and combat boot-style sneakers. The designer also worked with Return to Vendor to create fully recyclable pieces made from reclaimed fishing nets, underscoring his commitment to sustainable innovation. Additionally, a capsule with eBay reimagined archival pieces, with proceeds from the Chuco suit benefiting wildfire recovery efforts in California.
The show’s narrative extended beyond fashion, with initiatives that amplified social justice and inclusivity. A collaboration with Tinder introduced the “How We Love Is Who We Are” sweatshirt, a powerful statement supporting LGBTQ+ rights in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign. Meanwhile, Carlos Jaramillo’s Ilumine Tu Camino photo essay brought South-Central Los Angeles to life on silk scarves, celebrating the resilience of marginalized communities.
The Willy Chavarria FW25 collection proves his ability to bring together a global creative community. Celebrities like J Balvin, Becky G, Honey Dijon, and Jeremy Pope joined a diverse cast of models, embodying the inclusive ethos of the brand. Partnerships with Airbnb, Adobe, and M.A.C Cosmetics further underscored the collaborative spirit of the event, from behind-the-scenes storytelling to striking runway visuals.
With Tarantula, Willy Chavarria reaffirmed his commitment to using fashion as a tool for resistance and resilience. By merging cultural pride with cutting-edge design, the collection stood as a celebration of identity and community, offering a powerful vision of what fashion can achieve in the face of adversity.
