Death doesn't necessarily refer to the end of life but can also symbolize the end of an era, the shedding of old identities, or the conclusion of certain cultural or social norms. Rebirth follows as a transformative process, forming new ideas, the evolution of self, and the redefinition of personal or collective aesthetics.
The association of colors with concepts like death and birth is deeply rooted in cultural symbolism and varies across different societies and historical periods. The colors black and white are particularly powerful symbols, often carrying opposite meanings depending on the cultural context.
In many Western cultures, black is traditionally associated with mourning and death. Originating from ancient Rome, where the family of the deceased would wear dark togas, known as "toga pulla," which symbolized mourning. In contemporary Western societies, black is still the most common color worn at funerals and during periods of mourning, symbolizing the absence of light and life, and serving as a sign of respect for the deceased.
The relationship between the color black and death extends beyond Western cultures. In some Eastern cultures, black can represent destruction, mystery, and the unknown realms of the afterlife.
In contrast, white is often associated with purity, innocence, and beginnings, making it a color frequently linked to birth and new life in. White is used in christenings and baptisms to symbolize purity and the start of a new spiritual journey.
By contrast, in traditional Chinese culture, white is worn to funerals, it’s the color of mourning. Symbolising the metal element, one of the five elements believed to be part of the cycle of life, associated with purity and transformation, reflecting a different cultural view of death as part of the cycle of life and rebirth.
Whether as symbols of mourning, purity, rebirth, or the cycle of life, the colors black and white hold deep meanings that transcend their visual appearance.
Willy Chavarria, a native of rural California with roots in graphic design from the Academy of the Arts, has chosen to channel his talents into fashion to honor human dignity and give voice to the underrepresented. His collections are a cinematic journey, merging the emotionality of art with the zeitgeist of modern politics creating a narrative of human perseverance and resilience. Drawing on his Mexican American heritage, Chavarria finds beauty and inspiration in the streets and communities that shape his world.
His designs offer a refreshing take on fashion where apparel transcends mere functionality to become declarations of identity, resilience, and change.
In his latest collection “Safe from Harm” black embodies power, elegance, and mystery,signaling the death of old ideals and the boundaries of conventional design. White can be seen as celebration of new beginnings, and safeguarding.
The film 'Safe from Harm' is visually stunning, but more than that it's an invitation to experience personal metamorphosis—a testament to the enduring power of love that continues to thrive through life's transitions. It’s raw intimacy and bold confidence.
In the context of the fashion film and the runway show, the interplay of light and dark, familiarity and starkness, can be seen as the visual representation of these themes.Resonating with the concept of experiencing a metaphorical 'death' and being reborn into a new understanding or emotional state.
Chavarria's "Safe From Harm" is a ode to these contrasts, where delicate hearts and proud spirits are clothed in fierce garments, not just clothes, but narratives woven from the street's authenticity, culture, and energy. Bringing a collection which embodies vulnerability, ferocity, and confidence.
Safe from Harm embodies a rebirth, not just of fashion but of the self, a newfound realization of love's enduring power.