The Middle East luxury leader partners with FAE Fashion Ventures to fuel global growth
Willy Chavarria has received a strategic minority investment from Chalhoub Group, marking a major milestone for the New York-based designer whose socially charged menswear has redefined the intersection of culture and luxury. The partnership pairs the Middle East’s leading luxury retailer with FAE Fashion Ventures, the creative investment firm founded by music executive Sarah Stennett, which first backed Chavarria in spring 2024.
Together, Chalhoub Group and FAE represent a convergence of creative storytelling and strategic infrastructure — reflecting a broader industry trend as regional retail powerhouses evolve into active brand builders.
“In choosing partners for the Willy brand, David [Ramirez, COO] and I sought the highest levels of business expertise along with an understanding of our brand purpose,” Chavarria said. “Both FAE and Chalhoub embody these qualities. Their experience in luxury, their integrity, and their respect for culture make them the perfect partners. Together, we’re building a global powerhouse that connects with people where they are.”
The venture capital–range investment, reportedly under $5 million, follows a period of rapid growth for Chavarria, who is set to receive WWD’s Men’s Designer of the Year honor later this month. Since FAE’s initial investment, the label has tripled its wholesale presence and secured collaborations with Adidas, Don Julio, and Tinder, each reinforcing its reputation for authenticity and emotional resonance.
“Willy Chavarria represents the evolving face of luxury — rooted in culture, identity, and community,” said Zahra Kassim-Lakha, Chalhoub Group’s chief investment officer.
Our partnership is grounded in a shared ambition to support brands with strong values and distinctive voices.”
For Chalhoub Group, the investment underscores a long-term strategy shift from distribution to direct brand participation. “The next generation of investments focuses on building product brands that can scale globally,” Kassim-Lakha explained. “We want founders to stay in control of their narrative — our goal is partnership, not takeover.”
FAE’s Stennett echoed that philosophy. “Fashion has historically underinvested in creative talent the way music invests in artists,” she said. “Willy has the operational experience and creative maturity to build something generational.”
Chavarria’s Paris Fashion Week shows — known for their cinematic drama, oversized silhouettes, and emotional storytelling — have established him as a voice of conscience in menswear. “The way he speaks cultural relevance to multiple generations, with sensitivity and humanity, is extraordinary,” Kassim-Lakha added.
The brand is now preparing for its next stage of growth, with plans for a New York flagship and measured international expansion, including a gradual build in the Middle East. “We’re focused on longevity and stability,” Stennett said. “The foundation comes first — the right team, the right structure, and then the right moment to scale.”
For Chalhoub Group, the investment in Willy Chavarria is more than financial — it’s symbolic of a shifting luxury landscape, where values, culture, and purpose are becoming as central to growth as craftsmanship itself.