On Sunday, May 3, the city of Huron, California, gathered to commemorate one of its most notable natives, fashion designer Willy Chavarria. May 3, 2026, also marked the 75th anniversary of the city’s founding, making the day particularly resonant for those celebrating the community’s roots.

Since founding his brand in 2015, Chavarria has interwoven his Mexican-American heritage and themes of social justice into his collections. Last year, alongside Carlos Jaramillo, a Mexican-Colombian-American photographer, he produced a documentary titled Heart of the Valley. The film, which explores the rich culture of Huron, premiered at the designer’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway show in Paris.

The show, which opened with a reference to the Salvadoran prisons many ICE deportees are sent to without due process, featured Chavarria’s collection titled “Huron.” Down the runway walked models dressed in elegant, oversized suits. Pulling from the iconic “zoot-suit” silhouette, Chavarria highlighted the significance of art as a means of protest and, at times, protection.

The inaugural Willy Chavarria Day was a celebration. Students from local middle and high schools were invited to participate in a soccer tournament featuring uniforms provided by adidas. Also competing were members of the Harris Farms Club, an after-school mentorship program that has been serving the youth of Huron for 11 years. Inside the community center was a Prom Pop-Up, where high schoolers could take home a dress or suit for their big night. The day-long event featured local vendors providing food and drinks, highlighting the culinary excellence of Huron.

In the spirit of community uplift, the Taco Bell Foundation gifted the Boys & Girls Club of Fresno County a $100,000 community grant. The grant aims to support preparatory programs that provide teens with everything from tutoring to paid internships.

“Huron exists in the most fundamental parts of my being,” Chavarria said in a press release. “I am forever grateful to my family and the place that gave me so much heart and inspiration.”