Willy Chavarria Tells a Story of Intimate Safety for FW24
It’s about more than just fashion.
Nestled in a Greenpoint brick warehouse near Brooklyn’s waterfront, Willy Chavarria set the stage for his Fall/Winter 2024 runway show. As attendees filed into the brisk enclosure they were bathed in crimson red light before a long dining table with countless softly dancing white candles. The space was filled with a moody intrigue, but one that felt familial. But when the show began, models did not immediately spill out onto the runway. Instead, a long white cloth fell from the ceiling revealing a large screen and a film by Chavarria entitled, “Safe From Harm.”
A story of love in its fullness is what was revealed in the film. Depicting moments of pain, frustration, reconciliation, romance and undying love, the show was a beautiful showcase of some of life’s most poignant realities. But what concluded the film was an exhibition of joy and camaraderie that saw the FW24 collection and some of its models treat a house hallway as their runway – offering a cinematic look at the collection’s ensembles.
“This collection is very sensitive and I wanted to make sure that I’m not doing something that distracts from reality,” said Chavarria. “I want to recognize how we all feel right now, which is not so great. But at the same time, reminding us that we’re here for each other.”
The models then stepped from the screen to the runway as the show began at the film’s closure. Once again, Chavarria exhibited his affinity for play on silhouettes alongside the exaltation of Chicano culture. Some oversized silhouettes whether it be through wool slacks or a flowing overcoat still permeated the collections like times before. But this time the California-raised designer also tossed sleeker tailored elements that complimented the body for a statement of power via structure and form. For Chavarria, the design process lately has been more about refinement and evolution as opposed to complete reinvention.
“It’s more about letting things evolve naturally. [With the collection], everything is getting closer and closer to actually what I want to do. It’s not just fashion. It’s more than that. This is a piece of it. But I like telling stories and creating things that make people think differently.”
Take a look at Willy Chavarria’s FW24 collection in the gallery above. Stay tuned for Hypebeast’s coverage of New York Fashion Week.
