Willy Chavarria has always designed with emotion. Today at Dojo de Paris, the Mexican-American designer staged his Fall Winter 2026 collection as a cinematic blend of music, theatre, and film that collapsed the boundaries between fashion show and lived experience. The production, directed and designed by Bureau Betak with choreography by Damien Jalet, moved through three acts that traced the full spectrum of Chavarria’s world, from sharp tailoring to streetwear to red carpet drama.
PARIS FASHION WEEK COLLECTIONS
The show opened with guests entering a set scented by Byredo, a cityscape inspired by Chavarria’s corner apartment in New York City. “I live in New York City, street level, corner apartment, big windows,” the designer writes in his collection notes. “There’s barely any separation between the city outside and the world inside my home. I think there. I watch people. I watch them rush to work while I make my coffee. I watch them meet on corners. Enter the restaurant across the street. Kiss goodbye. Argue. Jump in and out of taxis. I watch people fall in love. I watch them fall apart.”
On screen, a guest and model chatted on Grindr, introducing the dating app as a thematic through-line. Chavarria unveiled a partnership with Grindr through a pair of mesh underwear, teasing deeper collaboration to come. “The show is rooted in love, desire, and human connection on every level,” Chavarria explains, “with Grindr positioned as a catalyst, where intimate conversations begin and evolve into love stories, lust, and meaningful bonds that fuel the emotional core of ETERNO.”
Act I: Faith and Daywear
The first act examined faith and what guides us through our lives, presenting the core collection of elevated daywear. Tailoring flowed comfortably between men’s and women’s figures, with cropped suits featuring loose hips and signature Chavarria codes: slim waists, slightly broadened shoulders, flattering hips, and a spectrum of leg shapes from flared to tapered to cropped skinny silhouettes.
Shearling and mid-weight outerwear appeared alongside accessories, all rendered in a refined palette of dim mint, soft pink, and warm orange-red. Rich colors including violeta, oro, uniform brown, uniform blue, and Willy red appeared in suiting and skirts. Navy pinstripes and double-breasted suits brought authority without stiffness.
The casting for this section featured industry veterans and rising faces alike. Alek Wek, Erin O’Connor, Farida Khelfa, and Omahyra Mota brought decades of runway authority, while Paloma Elsesser and Maggie Maurer represented the body-inclusive casting that has defined Chavarria’s shows since his earliest collections.
Act II: BIG WILLY
The second act introduced BIG WILLY, a new evergreen workwear collection infused with energy, humor, and accessibility. Designed as a staple line, BIG WILLY offers an attractive price point for a wider audience, extending the Willy world without diluting its values.
The assortment includes khaki and black chinos, matching workwear shirts, bomber jackets, and Sutton coach jackets, each finished with the new Big Willy logo. The line is now available on the Willy Chavarria website in limited quantities.
This section also featured Chavarria’s fourth collaboration with adidas, including World Cup merchandise officially accredited by the Mexican Football Federation, inspired by iconic Mexican football uniforms from the past. Footwear included the Willy Chavarria Megaride Copa and Megaride Bones, as well as the iconic adidas Predator cleat.
Romeo Beckham and Luka Sabbat walked this section, bringing celebrity wattage to the workwear proposition. Julia Fox, who has become a fixture of Chavarria’s orbit, also appeared, her presence underscoring the collection’s gender-fluid approach.
Act III: Red Carpet Drama
The final act revealed what Chavarria calls “a truth that cannot be hidden from.” Formalwear remains central to his vision, and this season introduced relaxed tuxedos for men alongside shimmering textured cocktail dresses and gowns designed for slow, intentional movement.
The “sandwich gown” emerged as a key piece, combining a cloqué hourglass front with a trailing champagne silk back. Sateen full skirts, layered knits, and sculptural silhouettes reflected Chavarria’s lifelong passion for dressing with meaning, drama, and emotional honesty.
Textural richness defined the offering: distressed leathers, leopard-printed shearling, and supple napa finishes. Rose motifs emerged across cloqué surfaces and Italian-pleated elasticated fabrics, adding depth, romance, and tactile contrast.
Brazilian model Marcelo Vieira and British supermodel Goldie anchored this section, alongside Valentina Ferrer and El Malilla.
Live Performances
The show featured live performances from an extraordinary roster of Latin and international artists. Chilean singer Mon Laferte, Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Lunay, Italian singer Mahmood, Colombian reggaeton star Feid, Santos Bravos, FOOS GONE WILD’s Lil Mr. E, and Latin Mafia all performed throughout the presentation, their music woven into the narrative structure.
Michel Gaubert handled music direction, with supervision from Marco Neves. Film direction came from Arnaud Bresson with production by Iconoclast, cinematography by Benoît Debie, and set design by Nicola Scarlino.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Beyond Grindr and adidas, the collection featured partnerships with Ray-Ban, including both archive pieces and previously unreleased eyewear from an upcoming Summer Capsule. The Ordinary served as skincare stylist, with their ingredient-first approach integrated into the New York streetscape through a runway installation titled “The Avenue of Truth.”
Footwear was produced in partnership with APICCAPS, the Portuguese Association of Leather Goods and Footwear, with Luis Onofre handling women’s styles and Mariano Shoes producing men’s. Women’s styles included the Furia molded heels and the Pepa pump in various shearling treatments. Men’s footwear featured the Salon Loafer, a 1970s Cuban-heel interpretation, and the Antonio Boot.
Accessories expanded as a key category, with the introduction of the Bronca Bag, the brand’s answer to the “IT” bag, featuring loose “W” belt details and a magnetic leather frame. A second drop of Willy Bad Boy Sunglasses will be available for immediate purchase.
Take a closer look of the collection, with the focus on the details:
Protection is Love
Chavarria took his final bow wearing a t-shirt created in collaboration with The Ordinary stating “Protection is Love.” The shirt will be available for limited edition sale, with 100 percent of proceeds donated to Rainbow Railroad, a global nonprofit helping at-risk LGBTQI+ people reach safety worldwide.
“Love isn’t just affection or good intentions,” Chavarria writes. “It’s the act of keeping one another safe, seen, and respected. To protect someone is to value their well-being, their boundaries, and their future.”
The show was dedicated to all who believe in the power of love.
Discover more of the collection in our gallery:
Front Row
The show drew a front row including Usher, Davido, Arlo Parks, Thundercat, Pa Salieu, SECH, Sebastian Yatra, Kim Turnbull, and Marc Forne.
Credits
Creative Director: Willy Chavarria Stylist: Carlos Nazario Direction, Design, and Production: Bureau Betak Staged and Choreographed: Damien Jalet Film Direction: Arnaud Bresson Film Production: Iconoclast Cinematography: Benoît Debie Set Design: Nicola Scarlino Music Direction: Michel Gaubert Casting: Brent Chua Makeup Artist: Yadim Official Makeup Partner: Byredo Skincare Stylist: The Ordinary Hair: Paul Hanlon Runway Photography: Gaspar Lindberg Lookbook Imagery: Diego Bendezu PR: PURPLE x Spread-The-Word Press
