UAE-Headquartered Chalhoub Group Invests In American Fashion Label Willy Chavarria

Willy Chavarria, the New York-based fashion brand recognized for its distinctive design and inclusive approach, has received a strategic minority investment from Chalhoub Group, the largest retail operator in the Middle East. This marks the first time that the UAE-based Chalhoub Group has invested in a global fashion brand.  

Other backers include returning investor FAE Fashion Ventures, the UK-based brand development and investment platform founded by Sarah Stennett and David Grinberg, along with Webster Capital and its founder, Tony Olson. The renewed investment will support Willy Chavarria’s continued global growth, while facilitating the brand’s expansion into markets such as Europe and Asia. 

Founded by Willy Chavarria and David Ramirez in the US in 2015, the brand combines tailored silhouettes with social and cultural themes. After its debut at Paris Fashion Week in January 2025, Willy Chavarria expanded its reach, tripling its number of wholesale doors and securing partnerships with retailers and collaborators, including Adidas, Don Julio, and Tinder, since partnering with FAE in Spring/Summer 2024. 

In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Chavarria said that the partnership with Chalhoub Group represents more than an investment—it’s an alignment of values. “Chalhoub Group is a company with heart,” he said. “They share my vision of bringing human dignity to the fashion space. Their alignment with our values combined with their deep expertise and understanding of the luxury market—makes them an exceptional partner.”  

Zahra Kassim-Lakha, Chief Investment Officer at Chalhoub Group, described the investment as a natural evolution of the Group’s mission to support visionary brands redefining modern luxury. “Willy Chavarria is our first investment in a global fashion brand," she said. "We have supported other fashion brands in the region, including Nafsika Skourti. With more than 70 years of experience in luxury retail and brand building across the Middle East and beyond, Chalhoub Group will bring deep expertise in market expansion, distribution, and value creation to support Willy Chavarria’s global acceleration.” 

Zahra Kassim-Lakha, Chief Investment Officer at Chalhoub Group.

While the investment lays out the groundwork for expansion, both Chavarria and Chalhoub Group see it as an opportunity to advance a more human, purposeful approach to fashion. “The global appetite for fashion is evolving, and the MENA region is no exception,” Chavarria noted. “People today want more than just a product, they want connection. They’re inviting brands into their lives to help tell their own personal stories. My brand offers a story rooted in positivity, emotion, and a sense of edge that resonates with those seeking authenticity.” 

This deep understanding of emotional connection lies at the heart of Chavarria’s creative philosophy—a quality that Chalhoub Group saw as a key differentiator. “In the case of Willy Chavarria, we believe his cultural resonance and unique blend of experience in fashion, inclusive identity, and humanity will enable the brand to connect across diverse client segments and cultural moments, and we look forward to supporting the company as it expands internationally,” Kassim-Lakha said. 

The investment also reflects Chalhoub Group’s broader ambition to back brands that combine creative originality with business scalability. “As part of its strategic ambition, Chalhoub Group supports rising luxury brands through venture capital as well as larger mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on fragrance, leather goods, footwear, and homeware,” Kassim-Lakha said. “This investment underscores the Group’s commitment to backing scalable, high-potential brands with strong cultural relevance and visionary leadership.” 

Kassim-Lakha also shared that Chalhoub Group’s investment approach will continue to prioritize founders who balance creativity with solid execution. “Our investment focus will be on founders that have created strong brands, are focused on delightful client experiences, have a distribution model that corresponds to their target audience and brand identity while having also demonstrated solid financial and operational foundations,” she said.  

Reflecting on the future of the industry he operates in, Chavarria believes that fashion’s next chapter must return to authenticity and empathy. “Luxury has become somewhat stagnant, many big brands keep revisiting the same codes, and it’s hard to feel inspired by that,” he said. “What fashion truly needs right now is emotional connection. My work is about reaching people where they are and reminding them that goodness still exists, even when the world feels heavy. For emerging designers, my advice is simple: stay human. Build from a place of truth and emotion, as that’s where lasting creativity comes from.” 

Pictured in the lead image is Willy Chavarria. All images courtesy Chalhoub Group.