Everything Is Romantic: Huron Collection By Willy Chavarria
- Justinian Mason
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
Willy Chavarria has done it again. Not only did he release another amazing collection, but he accompanied it with tear jerking symbolism. Mexican-American, California native Willy Chavarria opened his Huron Collection with a presentation showing solidarity with those deported and imprisoned in El Salvador. The current political climate of the U.S. is nauseating to say the absolute least. Though some acts of solidarity can come off as performitive in the fashion world, Willy and his continued reputation of representing his heritage has set him far apart from those accusations. Culminating in a show that is so rich in culture and identity, it renders everything romantic.
Watching this Huron show has recontextualized the word romance for me. I along with others mainly associate the word with a romantic love, but I've now added empathy to define a different type of romance. This show came together beautifully. From the music and lighting to the clothes and art direction, the Huron presentation is a true expression of romance for one’s culture. Never to be replicated by someone who isn't from Mexican culture. While watching the show it felt like I was being punched with a bouquet of roses from start to finish. The show opens with a rendition of 'California Dreaming' by José Feliciano as the lights slowly warm along the runway. Men in long all-white shirts and shorts take the runway and start to kneal with their hands behind their back. They continued out of the darkness and down the stairs to lineup until the song's conclusion. It was graceful yet assertive, poetic yet grounded. Easily the best introduction I've seen in any show this Paris Fashion Week. Once the song was over the room cuts to black before Mexican singer Vivir Quintana comes out to perform as the show begins.
Silhouettes and concept driven deisgns have always been a trademark for a Willy collection. In Huron we see a bevy of influences from the past, along with some new collaborations. This collection features everything from a Mexican inspired L.A. Noire look (as I would describe it), vibrantly colored everyday wear, and a new Adidas collaboration. This show did something that Willy and his stylists do a remarkable job at, styling the perfect person for each outfit. With the exception of a few celebs like Becky G and James Harden (an Adidas athlete). A lot of these people didn't come off as models, but rather people who were made for the clothes and vice versa. Again, everything is romantic. There isn't a second of this show that doesn't feel like community. Reveresnce for your community is romantic, empathy is romantic, and protesting is romantic. I implore you to watch the show. Every element of the show is nurtured with an amount of care you can only produce when it comes from a place of understanding. It was all consuming from start to finish. Allow yourself to get lost in the music or enchanted by the runway. Doesn't matter what you choose to focus on for the Huron show, everything is romantic.
Favorite looks from the show:
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