Willy Chavarria steps into footwear with new collab

Willy Chavarria is stepping into footwear in a collaboration with Caleres-owned shoe brand Allen Edmonds, according to a press release shared with Fashion Dive.

The split-toe Derby oxford shoe features a cuban heel, and is called the Jalisco. It’s set to debut during Chavarria’s spring 2025 runway show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 6. It will be available in Allen Edmonds stores and retailers globally.

Chavarria, the 2023 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, collaborated with artisans and designers at the 100-year-old Allen Edmonds brand to create the shoe, drawing from archives and legacy constructions, per the release.

The shoe is meant to transcend “seasons, occasions, and gender boundaries,” per the release, and the design will feature the initials “WC” in gold foil. The footwear is meant to be the new “unformal” shoe, per the release.

“I have always admired Allen Edmonds for their quality and craftsmanship but was truly blown away by what the artisans in Port Washington are capable of crafting,” Chavarria said. “I had no idea a luxury shoe of this caliber could be made here at home.”

Collaborations aren’t new for the designer. Chavarria has recently partnered with Pacsun and Dickies.

In addition to Allen Edmonds, Caleres owns a portfolio of footwear brands including Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and Vionic.