Draft:Chris Echevarria

Chris Echevarria is an American fashion designer, and the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand Blackstock & Weber and the apparel brand ACADEMY by Chris Echevarria. He also serves as the Creative Director of Sperry by Chris Echevarria.

Early life and education
Echevarria grew up in New Jersey. He moved to New York City in 2007 to attend the Menswear Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Career
While studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Echevarria worked on the opening team at the J.Crew Liquor Store. During this period, Echevarria developed a relationship with Mickey Drexler, the then CEO of J. Crew, and became a key contributor to the store's ‘In Good Company…’Program.  

In 2017, Echevarria founded Blackstock & Weber, a footwear brand.

In September 2023, Echevarria was appointed Creative Director of a Made in USA collection for storied boat shoe maker, Sperry, entitled "Sperry by Chris Echevarria". This collaboration marked Sperry's first venture with a guest Creative Director. The collection launched at Paris Men’s Fashion Week 2024. In November 2023, Echevarria launched the clothing label ACADEMY.

In April 2024, Echevarria announced that he would be opening his first store in NYC. The store will sell products from Blackstock & Weber and ACADEMY, alongside a host of books, accessories, magazines and vintage.