Willy Chavarria and Tinder collabed for LGBTQ+ rights
A detail from the FW25 collection that went unnoticed
January 27th, 2025
During the recently concluded Paris Fashion Week Men’s, Chicano designer Willy Chavarria decided to use his debut at the French fashion week to remind everyone that fashion, like art, is inherently political. With the FW25 collection, titled Tarantula, Chavarria delivered a clear message, emphasizing that inclusion, diversity, and intersectionality are core pillars of the brand. On this occasion, the New York-based brand collaborated with Tinder and the non-governmental organization Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, which have recently faced an increasingly uncertain future due to far-right governments. During the finale of the show, the creative director thanked the audience while wearing the exclusive sweatshirt “How We Love Is Who We Are”, a manifesto underscoring that affirming one’s identity is not merely an individual act but a social gesture that invites reflection on the over 570 anti-LGBTQ+ laws introduced worldwide in the past year. As Chavarria himself stated: «Fashion is a mirror of culture and the politics of our time. It has the power to break molds, spark dialogues, and inspire tangible change. Together with Tinder and the Human Rights Campaign, we are using the stage of Paris Fashion Week to spread a global message that calls for action and celebrates the affirmation of identity. This campaign is a tribute to authenticity and a celebration of love in all its forms».
The partnership with HRC and Tinder did not stop at the simple launch of the sweatshirt: the involvement of artist Gustavo Garcia-Villa, whose works were exhibited in Paris and made available on the online store WillyChavarria.com, added an additional expressive layer to the project. Tinder also highlighted the importance of this cause by making a donation in honor of Chavarria to the Human Rights Campaign, supporting their mission for equality, unity, and freedom for the LGBTQ+ community. Melissa Hobley, Chief Marketing Officer of Tinder, emphasized how vital queer community rights are for the world’s leading dating app: «With over 20% of our new users identifying as queer, we are proud to create a space where everyone can express themselves authentically. This partnership not only celebrates an icon like Willy Chavarria but strengthens our mission to break down barriers and build a world where connection and authenticity have no limits». The collaboration is available on Willy Chavarria’s official website while supplies are still in stock.