First revealed as the centrepiece capsule from Willy Chavarria’s SS25 showing at New York Fashion Week last September, the brand’s maiden collaboration with adidas is finally here.
The debut meeting between adidas and Willy Chavarria is another opportunity for the eponymous label to express its ongoing dialogue surrounding Chicano culture on the global stage, joining high-profile works with the likes of Dickies and K-Swiss - two brands that akin to adidas, have deep ties to the Mexican-American diaspora.
Speaking on the significance of his debut adidas collection, Chavarria shared the following statement:
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“I love sharing this iconic brand in a way that reflects how I wore it growing up and how we wear it now. Working with my close friends and extended family on this project in LA was a powerful and personal experience. It allowed me to capture the beauty of our Brown brothers and sisters against the backdrop that is home to so many of us.”
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Here, the designer references the latest editorial campaign shot in Los Angeles by native Carlos Jaramillo, who captured WNBA GOAT Candace Parker, alongside Skyy Clark, and Alejandro Speitzer styled in various pieces from the looming collection, showcasing Chavarria’s penchant for exaggerated shapes and bold symbolism.
The limited collection consists of eleven, sportswear-leaning pieces comprised of a tracksuit, baggy shorts and jerseys, plus a sweatshirt and heavyweight tee. Contrasting against the black bases, Chavarria’s favoured red hue is used to amplify the branding and details present throughout the collection, with a select few pieces also incorporating shades of green as a nod to the Mexican flag.
Chavarria has also put together two updated versions of a low-cut basketball shoe originally produced for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the late 70s.
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The Chavarria Jabbar Low is the most faithful reproduction, more or less sticking with the original design barring a fold over tongue, whereas the Chavarria Jabbar Dress undertakes further remodelling to resemble a formal footwear design with its low-profile, pointed-toe shape and tonal, premium leather construction.
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Willy Chavarria’s SS25 collaboration with adidas drops on May 8 via Chavarria’s online store and the adidas CONFIRMED app.
