The US fashion brand Willy Chavarria can advance its international growth with new investors. On Wednesday, Dubai-based trading group Chalhoub Group announced the acquisition of a “strategic minority stake” in the clothing company founded in 2015 by Willy Chavarria and David Ramirez. In addition to the Chalhoub Group, the investment companies FAE Fashion Ventures and Webster Capital have also invested in the brand.
The investment is part of the group’s strategy to “support emerging luxury brands with venture capital,” said the Chalhoub Group in a statement. The investment underlines the group’s commitment to “promoting scalable brands with high potential, strong cultural relevance and visionary leadership”. The aim of the partnership is to advance Willy Chavarria’s international expansion.
Willy Chavarria was able to grow significantly last year
The Chalhoub Group cited the personality of the award-winning creative director Willy Chavarria, who celebrated his official debut at Paris Fashion Week in January with the label of the same name, as an important reason for its participation. “Willy Chavarria is a designer who represents the changing face of luxury, rooted in culture, identity and community,” said Zahra Kassim-Lakha, the group’s chief investment officer, in a statement. “Our partnership is based on the shared goal of supporting brands with strong values and distinctive voices. We believe Willy’s creative vision and expressive storytelling will transform the world of fashion worldwide.”
The fashion company had recently experienced a strong growth spurt. Since launching its partnership with FAE Fashion Ventures for the Spring/Summer 2024 season, the brand has tripled its wholesale presence, partnered with leading retailers and launched eye-catching collaborations with brands such as Adidas, Don Julio and Tinder, it said in a statement.