EXCLUSIVE: Willy Chavarría Shares How Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Inspires Him at Adidas Collab Launch
Willy Chavarría’s new collection with adidas is out now.
The Chicano fashion designer’s SS25 collection, which features a new touch to the Adidas Jabbar sneakers, jerseys, track jackets, and more, was released yesterday (May 8). Before the Mexican-American fashion designer greeted his fans and community at his launch party, he talked to Remezcla about the collection’s purpose alongside the behind-the-scenes creatives: photographer Carlos Jaramillo and creative director Jess Cuevas.
“The first thing I wanted to do when we did this collection was to really highlight and celebrate the influence of Chicano culture on fashion,” Chavarría said. “And take all of the inspiration that I know from adidas being worn in Chicano culture and really amplify it and make it just look incredible and have it featured on the people that we love – featured on us, basically. And really celebrate brown people in a big way with a big company.”
When asked about working with adidas, he said it was a positive experience – specifically because it showcased “brown power.” “It’s been amazing working with adidas. They’ve been a very strong supporter of the message,” he told us. “The collection is in partnership with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is somebody that I have admired since childhood, and his stand on civil rights and his outspoken views on civil rights has been so incredibly influential on me and my upbringing. So us doing this collaboration with him was incredible because it was all about brown power – and we all really aligned on that message.”
Speaking of messages, we took the opportunity to ask the Chicano creative if he had one for his Latine community. “The message I have for my Latino fans is we are all together in this. I love you, and Jess loves you, and Carlos loves you. And we all just love each other because this is a tough world right now, and we’re all in it together with our black and brown brothers and sisters. And our white brothers and sisters, too – and our Asian brothers and sisters – because we’re all in this mess together.”
Before continuing with his launch day’s press trek, he notes a feature of his collaboration with the Jabbar sneakers. “I would like to point out the pointy-toed shoe as it relates to the boot. It’s a sick ass way to wear a sneaker,” he said with a smile while comparing his new sneaker to his colleagues’ boots.
Check out his newest drop here.
