Activism in Fashion: Willy Chavarria and Ricardo Seco

With all the excitement of New York Men’s Fashion Week underway for the Spring/Summer 2019 season, it is always a fulfilling moment to see what new directions designers will take their work. Fashion has always been a vessel of exposure for issues around the global. A commonality for two designers this year, both Willy Chavarria and Ricardo Seco, was implementing the issues that people of color currently endure in their clothing. Sending across voices of change uniquely in both presentations.

While both designers have contrasting takes on bringing awareness to problems of immigration, they both have the same motivation to make change in the world around them through their art. Willy Chavarria was raised in small town of California where the fashion industry was “non-existent”, as he describes.

“I always knew I wanted to something different…after being a graphic designer, I decided to start making clothes. Then, went on to work for Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, and eventually begin my own brand…” said Chavarria, as he also reflected with BONNE NY on his consistent work of including social activism in his work. “Every time I do a collection I make sure to include that voice for the people concerning the social issues that surround us, this year my theme was immigration, once before it was gay rights.”

In Willy Chavarria’s collection for the S/S ’19 presentation, he included pieces that embodied street-flare, classic 90’s aesthetics, and a touch of ‘Auntie Maxine’ [Maxine Waters] that Chavarria spoke to us about “We try to put the message at the forefront and create awareness through the clothing. So, for example we had the Maxine Waters tees! Most people don’t know who Auntie Maxine is, but when they see the shirts…they start to learn.”

Spreading political and social awareness through fashion was also a focus for Ricardo Seco’s presentation at Flying Solo in SoHo. The collection displayed calls to action for immigration reform and support of ‘DACA’ (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) which has continuously been an ongoing issue for immigrant youth under the current US administration. The designer continuously embraces his Mexican heritage in using the country’s red, white, and green colors in his collection. Along with this, using his platform to spread the issues surrounding how Americans view immigration and calling those in the fashion industry to action.

Although the brands differ, the message is clear across both lines: We must start progressing change and taking action. In a week as important as New York Fashion Week, for designers such as Willy Chavarria and Ricardo Seco to use the opportunity to spread awareness of these issues can begin the conversations needed for movements to begin. With the current political climate of 2018, it is important now more than ever, that we educate ourselves on these social issues and contribute in any way possible to assure that no one turns a blind eye on what is affecting the world around us. Witnessing the fashion industry become more and more inclined in social awareness and activism will be motivating for designers to come and, hopefully, a continuous platform to present a communal call to action.