Fashion

Willy Chavarria Takes On Men’s Design Role At American Fashion House Calvin Klein

By Donovan | March 31, 2021 0 Comments

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — American fashion designer Willy Chavarria, who launched his own label in 2015, has joined Calvin Klein as senior vice president of design for Calvin Klein North America and Global Essentials apparel, men’s.

Chavarria quietly joined the brand in late February and reports to Jessica Lomax, executive vice president, global head of design.

In his new role, Chavarria is “responsible for leading the conceptual vision and design of seasonal collections for the Calvin Klein North America apparel and Global Essentials men’s lines,” a Calvin Klein spokesperson confirmed to WWD.

Chavarria is well experienced in men’s wear and his résumé ranges from highly commercial companies such as American Eagle Outfitters and Ralph Lauren to niche brands such as Voler and Dickies Construct. He also worked on the Yeezy label for over two years and was the creative director and owner of Palmer Trading Co., a vintage American store and apparel brand, for more than a decade.

His own Brooklyn-based label is influenced by his upbringing in the agricultural fields in the San Joaquin Valley and has become a visual statement of social messages ranging from anti-hate to acceptance of racial and sexual identity. Since its launch, the Willy Chavarria brand has collaborated with Kanye West, K-Swiss, Dickies, Hummel and others.

Chavarria was born in the small town of Huron, Calif., and studied graphic design at the Academy of the Arts. He started his fashion career in 1989 as a stock boy and then a designer for Joe Boxer, where he worked for four years. He joined Voler as designer of cycling apparel before being lured to New York City to work for Ralph Lauren for five years. Chavarria also worked for American Eagle Outfitters for nine years, and with Dickies to launch the Construct men’s label.

In August 2016, we reported that Simons was named the new chief creative officer of Calvin Klein (see it here).

After less than two years, since he took the helm at the American fashion house, Calvin Klein Inc. and Raf Simons said in (December 2018) that Simons is leaving his post as chief creative officer (see it here).

Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after Calvin Klein decided on a new brand direction.

In February 2020, we announced that the Belgain designer was tapped as the new co-creative director of Prada (see it here).

In the summer of 2019, Suzanne Barton joined the company as chief product officer of Calvin Klein, overseeing all design and merchandising functions globally. Her stint did not last long and she exited in January 2020. Lomax joined the brand last December in the newly created role of executive vice president, global head of design. She had previously been with Nike as senior creative director, women’s sportswear apparel. She has also worked with Hussein Chalayan for Puma and consulted for numerous sports and fashion brands.

Photos Credit: Courtesy of Willy Chavarria