Zara Continues Designer Collaborations with Willy Chavarria
Just days after announcing a two-year creative partnership with John Galliano, Zara is keeping the fashion world buzzing with a novel collaboration: designer Willy Chavarria. The fast-fashion giant is increasingly turning to high-profile designers to inject fresh perspectives into its offerings, a trend that’s gaining momentum in the industry.
Chavarria’s collection, spanning clothing, jewelry, and accessories for both men and women, will be available on March 26. This follows Zara’s announcement of its perform with Galliano, who is delving into the retailer’s archives for a September launch.
“This collaboration is truly a way for me to share the elevated aspects of the brand vision with a wider and more democratic audience,” Chavarria told Vogue. The collaboration is titled Vatísmo, a superlative form of “vato,” a colloquial term within the Chicano community that “celebrates friendship, camaraderie, and love; it speaks to personal bonds, the pride of belonging to a community, and the power of roots.”
Chavarria also expressed excitement about expanding his design vision. “It’s also a way for people to get more familiar with the women’s vision I have,” he said. His previous work has been showcased in runway shows, including a recent presentation staged against a backdrop reminiscent of a New York City intersection.
For Zara, the collaboration evokes a specific aesthetic. “I had a fantasy of a mansion in Mexico City where a family with many dramatic issues lived. I was looking at American television drama series from the 1980’s like Dallas and Dynasty mixed with the Mexican telenovelas I grew up with my grandmother watching,” Chavarria explained. “Incredibly chic and dramatic to the point of humour.”
The campaign for the Willy Chavarria collection features Christy Turlington, photographed by Glen Luchford. “I wanted us to see her as we have never seen her before. She is incredible in every way,” Chavarria stated.
The announcement of the Chavarria collaboration comes as Fashionista reports Zara is actively seeking partnerships with established designers, signaling a shift in strategy for the retailer. The collection will be available online and in select stores starting Thursday, according to FashionNetwork France.
