Fashion designer Willy Chavarria made a powerful statement about the Trump-led ICE raids targeting his home state of California during his runway show at Paris Fashion Week.
Fashion as Activism: The Powerful Display
Chavarria’s runway show featured 35 male models who wore shaved heads and baggy white t-shirts, kneeling with their heads down and hands behind their backs.
The visual echoed the haunting images of prisoners in El Salvador, who had been detained earlier in the year as part of a controversial immigration crackdown.
As the models kneeled, the iconic song “California Dreamin’” by José Feliciano played in the background, amplifying the somber tone of the presentation.
Chavarria’s fashion was a direct statement about the dehumanization of immigrants and the harsh treatment they endure in the United States under policies like ICE raids.
A Message of Resistance
The models wore white t-shirts created in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Printed on the shirts was the bold message: “The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party or side,” emphasizing the designer’s support for human rights and social justice.
According to a Chavarria press release, the intention behind the display was to highlight the dehumanization of immigrants, referencing the mistreatment that many face in detention centers.
The Backstory: El Salvador and U.S. Immigration Policies
Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported 200 Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, accusing them of gang involvement.
However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the conditions at the CECOT prison in El Salvador, where the detainees were sent, including allegations of torture and other abuses.
The images of these prisoners sparked global outrage, and Chavarria’s runway show was his way of using fashion as a platform to stand in solidarity with the immigrants.
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Backlash from El Salvador’s Government
The political statement did not go unnoticed. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, reportedly threatened to send the detained prisoners to Paris Fashion Week, accusing Chavarria of trying to “glorify criminality” with his artistic statement.
However, as of June 29, it appeared that Bukele had not followed through on his threat.
Fashion with a Purpose
Chavarria’s runway show is a prime example of how the fashion industry is increasingly becoming a stage for activism.
His powerful display drew attention to the real-world issues of immigration and human rights, connecting fashion to social justice in a way that resonated far beyond the catwalk.
What do you think of Chavarria’s statement at Paris Fashion Week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more updates on this story and other social justice movements, visit ridgecrestpact.org.
