Willy Chavarria climaxes in triumphant Paris debut with Bishop Budde's speech

Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria capped his sensational Paris debut Friday night by playing on a recording of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's sermon calling for “compassion” for President Donald Trump's LGBTQ+ community.

At the most anticipated show of the Paris menswear season, Chavarria drew immense applause from the packed audience inside the American Cathedral of Paris on Avenue George V. Like the bishop of Washington, the Paris Cathedral is Episcopal.

A fall/winter 2025 collection in Chavarria's DNA: Latin and Hispanic heroes and heroines, many friends or employees of the company, others discovered in three days of wild launch in Paris.

Although a more elevated version of Willy's style, the finely finished tailoring of Italian factories seen in some fabulous interpretations of the Latin Zoot suit, dandy dressing and gangster sportswear.

“It is an honor to be in Paris, where so many legendary designers have shown themselves. But I feel like I'm ready for it. The message of human dignity and equality and the importance of us coming together to preserve our rights as immigrants, as LGBT people, as women have never been more important…our community is very much under attack right now,” Willy explained .

Adding that he had been crying when he heard the bishop's speech, and that his entire cast had “somehow gone through the experiences” to which Bishop Buddle had referred.

Chavarria's backdrop for this show is a red floral shrine, with a saint perched inside a wooden box as its centerpiece. And the clothes were a sly mix of the sacred and the profane, with a big dollop of raw sexuality.

Their women sizzled in pencil skirts, strict jackets and high heels. One wore a sinful red leotard that red – 'Devil'.

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His men were fed broad-shouldered blazers, fluttery pants, and huge collared shirts. Chavarria, who grew up in a poor Mexican immigrant farmworker family in California's Central Valley, also played with Tex Mex Moods, complete with cowboy hats finished with flowers. Willy also evoked Paris DNA with a couple of guys in Chanel Tweed Bouclé four-pocket jackets.

And in a week where the president of the United States has attempted to declare by executive order that there are only two sexes, it was wildly refreshing to see transgender DJ great Honey Dijon Strut Strut his stuff in a fiery red denim look. Taking her last stand for trans rights.

Finishing off with a series of sporty leather jerkins and elongated soccer shorts from their collaboration 'with Adidas worn by some very rich on their rippling muscles almost on fire with tattoos.

So far, the Paris menswear show, and a timely reminder of fashion's duty to do more than just make clothes.

“I feel like I have something very specific to say that's missing. So, I'm happy to take it to Paris. Like something is missing in fashion in general. A willingness to take risks and be on the right side of history,” Willy concluded.

Always speaking quietly in the cathedral sacristy, dressed in a black T-shirt that said, “How we love is who we are.”