Willy Chavarria on Expanding Into Fragrance With Xinú
We spoke to the designer about releasing the Comunión Candle Set.
For Willy Chavarria, fashion and scent are deeply intertwined. Long before his collections come to life, the designer says fragrance plays an integral part in shaping the mood, memory and storytelling. At the brand’s Spring/Summer 2027 runway presentation, Chavarria debuted the “FlordeMusgo” fragrance in collaboration with Mexico City-based fragrance house Xinú. Now, the duo is uniting yet again to release the Comunión Candle Set, which includes a limited-edition candle of the scent that helped set the tone for the entire collection.
At Paris Fashion Week, Willy Chavarria allowed guests to step into “FlordeMusgo” for the very first time. Described by Chavarria as “rich, earthy and vibrant,” the scent leaned into the collection’s theme of “Comunión” and the concept of home in Latino culture. Rooted in the duo’s shared Mexican heritage, the collaboration with Xinú pairs the fragrance house’s ties to nature and the spirit of Mexico with Chavarria’s storytelling.
Now, scent moves beyond the runway with the newly-released Comunión Candle Set, which features a special edition of the “FlordeMusgo” candle. The candle arrives in a matte black vessel, finished with a custom Willy Chavarria medallion and tucked inside Xinú’s scented wool cocoon. The set also features Comunión Palito, a piece of driftwood collected along the coasts of Mexico, engraved for the collaboration and wrapped in thread infused with the fragrance.
Taking cues from Willy Chavarria’s visual universe, the Comunión Candle Set extends the brand’s vision to a brand new category; scent. While the designer has long relied on beauty details to shape collections, runway shows and campaigns, this first official fragrance offering gives scent a lasting place in the brand’s world, and Chavarria says there’s always room for more.
Ahead, we speak to Willy Chavarria about collaborating with Xinú and his innate connection to fragrance.
On Dreaming Up the Comunión Candle Set
The process was really about bringing two creative worlds together while respecting what makes each one special. We first introduced Xinú’s “FlordeMusgo” fragrance as part of the sensory experience at our Spring/Summer 2027 runway show. It was a highlight of the presentation and played an important role in bringing the collection’s story to life. From there, we wanted to reimagine the candle through the Willy Chavarria lens. The black vessel and custom medallion introduce a new visual language, while the scented wool cocoon adds another layer of craftsmanship and sensory experience. It was important to create something that felt authentic to both of us while celebrating what makes each brand unique.
On Collaborating With Xinú
Xinu captures the elegance of nature and the rich spirituality of Mexico. I love to experience the shops in Mexico City that exist in their own rich jungle universe with modern architecture. When I met the owner we immediately realized the connection we both have with fragrance, art and beauty. We are both so passionate about what we create. It is a pleasure to have our worlds integrated.
On Who “Flordemusgo” Is For
The scent is moss, cedar wood, tuberose and lime. It is calming and invigorating at the same time. When I last showed in Paris for the SS27 collection, the cool walls and green carpet of the Oscar Neymeyer building were fluid with the scent of “Flor DeMusgo.” I wanted everyone to experience this very special fragrance. It helped to narrate the story of the collection. Love [is] at the root of every living creature. It evokes the forest, the earth and the openness of the sky. It’s grounding but also expansive. I hope people experience it in their own ways.
On the Relationship Between Fashion and Fragrance
For me, fragrance has always been an important part of fashion. Before I even begin designing a collection, I’m thinking about the feeling I want to create, and scent is often part of that process. It helps establish a mood and brings memories and emotions into a physical space. With this collaboration, we’re extending that experience beyond the runway and into people’s homes. It’s another way to tell a story and connect with people on a deeper, more sensory level.
On Future Scent Releases
I’m always interested in exploring new ways to express creativity and connect with people. Fragrance is something I’ve been drawn to for a long time, and this collaboration with Xinú has been a beautiful opportunity to explore that world. I’m open to where that creative journey might lead, but I believe anything we do in this space should come from a genuine point of view and a meaningful collaboration.
