Willy Chavarria Directs Don Julio Día de Muertos Film — SkimNews
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- Willy Chavarria directed 'El Puente Eterno,' a short film for Don Julio's Día de Muertos campaign — his first time directing the brand's creative world after previously designing two Artist Edition bottles
- The campaign centers on Don Julio's 70 Añejo Cristalino Artist Edition bottle, designed by Mexican designer Patricio Campillo, which makes its public debut Sept. 13 at Campillo's Spring 2027 New York Fashion Week show
- Chavarria was nominated for the CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year award, alongside Ralph Lauren, Todd Snyder, and Thom Browne
- Chavarria's brand recently launched its first UGG collaboration, with the 'UGG & KISSES' campaign featuring Becky G, Eva Longoria, Danny Trejo, and Ivan Cornejo
- Chavarria says he sees his namesake label evolving into 'a full creative studio' covering partnerships, cinematic content, and music collaborations, with fashion remaining 'a huge core part of the brand identity'
- The campaign's largely Mexican and Mexican American creative team — including photographer Enrique and director Carlos Jaramillo — deliberately avoided clichéd Día de Muertos imagery in favor of a 'cool, minimal and chic' aesthetic
- Chavarria names Wong Kar-wai as a top filmmaking inspiration; his dream-dressing list includes Pamela Anderson, Chloë Sevigny, and Jake Gyllenhaal
Why it matters: Chavarria's CFDA nomination alongside Ralph Lauren and Thom Browne — paired with his leap from bottle designer to film director for a major tequila brand — marks fashion's pivot toward designers who operate across film, music, and brand partnerships. His deliberate elevation of younger designer Campillo also models how established names now use their platform to spotlight emerging talent.
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