Women's Lifestyle July 17, 2026 0 Comments

Willy Chavarria’s World Cup Collection: The Secret Sauce Fueling My Mexican Pride Like Never Before

When Mexico’s first goal lit up the World Cup stage this past June against South Africa, it wasn’t just a scoreboard moment—it was a tidal wave of green, white, and red bursting into the hearts of a fiery crowd at Estadio Ciudad de México. I swear, the kind of electric patriotism that swept through that stadium felt almost contagious—like the Knicks clinching the NBA Finals had our New York friends hugging total strangers and shouting “Goal!” with reckless delight. It’s that wild, unspoken hope—“Y si sí?”—what if they really pull it off? What if Mexico wins? This very spirit pulses through Chicano designer Willy Chavarria’s latest World Cup capsule collection with Adidas, “Comienza Con El Sueño,” capturing tradition, pride, and possibility in every stitch. Now, as fashion and football strut hand-in-hand like never before—from the neon flashes of goalie kits inspired by ’90s legend Jorge Campos to celebrities rocking jerseys with undeniable flair—one has to wonder: Is the beautiful game rewriting the rules of style and culture? Let’s dive into why this summer’s kick-off isn’t just about sports, but an authentic vibe redefining passion on and off the field. LEARN MORE

3 min read

When Mexico scored its first goal at the World Cup this June against South Africa, a look into the crowd at Estadio Ciudad de México showed a bright sea of green, white, and red explode into fireworks. The colors of the nation vibrated together with the kind of patriotic passion that is impossible to describe to an outsider, but resembles the feeling that New Yorkers got when the Knicks advanced in the NBA Finals this summer (and then won). It’s a blind joy that leads you to hug strangers without care, jump up in awe, scream a five-syllable “Goal!” and most importantly, dare to hope.

The phrase “Y si sí?” began trending in Mexico as the matches continued. In spirit, it translates to: What if we really do it? What if we win?

Tradition, passion, and hope is what Chicano designer Willy Chavarria infused into his World Cup capsule collection with Adidas, named “Comienza Con El Sueño,” or “It Begins With the Dream.”

Young man wearing a green soccer jersey with patches, standing next to a chain-link fence in an outdoor setting.

Adidas

The classic green jersey, in Chavarria’s world, has a bold white collar emblazoned with Aztec symbols in red, drop shoulders, and wide, slouchy sleeves. Meanwhile, a lemon-yellow goalie kit with ancient symbols morphed into a modern, abstract geographic print, pays tribute to Mexican goalie Jorge Campos, who revolutionized football fashion in the ’90s with his self-designed neon, psychedelic kits. Chavarria pairs yellow with mint green, salmon pink, and lavender purple for a fun, retro, and deeply meaningful design.

“The collection is really about that feeling of pride and possibility,” the Mexican-American designer tells Harper’s Bazaar. “I wanted to take elements people already know through football, and bring them into my world through proportion, shape, and emotion. I’m always thinking about the people, the culture, and the feeling behind the clothes.”

Young man wearing colorful soccer attire stands on a grassy field by an old, graffiti-covered concrete structure.

Adidas

I may be biased, because I’m Mexican and I love football, but it seems that the sport hit a new high this year—collecting fans in corners of the world where it had previously been sidelined, and making its way into the entertainment and fashion landscapes.

I know you’ve seen Zoë Kravitz in her teeny little soccer shorts and peep-toe heels, or Rihanna in her oversize jerseys layered under diamond necklaces, or Rosalía in her tutu skirts and cleats. And you’ve certainly seen the dozens of jersey collabs, the vintage merch craze, and the starry suites at every stadium, where celebrities from Victoria Beckham to Penélope Cruz and Tyla have been showing off their own takes on game-day fits.

A man stands confidently in a Chavarri shirt and jeans, with a belt featuring a large decorative buckle, amidst dry vegetation.

Adidas

“You see that influence everywhere now,” Chavarria says. “Jerseys have become part of how people dress. Football references show up in fashion, music, and art. The culture around the game has become just as influential as what happens on the field.”

Even the players themselves have been embracing high fashion more and more. Just look at Erling Haaland, the Norwegian player—adopted spiritually by Mexico—who boasts a massive collection of Hermès Birkin bags. “You see it in training arrivals, travel days, and the way players present themselves away from the pitch,” Chavarria says of the players’ evolving style. “People connect with athletes because of who they are, not just how they play. Fashion is one of the ways they express that and I love how authentic it is for footballers.”

A person in sporty attire stands against a textured backdrop outdoors, showcasing a casual and confident pose.

Adidas

The designer sees a big future for football footwear in particular. “The design language is incredible,” he says. “There’s so much innovation and personality built into those products, and I think designers will continue looking to that world for inspiration.”

After a month of bar hopping with friends in our jerseys, joining the betting game, and cheering at the TV like our lives depended on it, the World Cup wraps this Sunday, July 19, with a match between Spain and Argentina. And we can only hope the authenticity and vibrancy of this summer of sports carries on, both in our fashion and in our everyday lives. Y si sí?