Luar

themes of identity, queerness, and community. The brand has gained significant recognition, featured in Vogue, Elle, GQ, and worn by celebrities such as Rihanna, Cardi B, Zendaya, Dua Lipa, Julia Fox, and Troye Sivan. Luar's signature product is the Ana bag, a mod-style accessory that has become a commercial and critical success, earning Lopez the 2022 CFDA American Accessory Designer of the Year Award. The brand's runway shows are noted for their New York energy and cultural storytelling, often involving the local community and reflecting Lopez's personal history and social themes.

Philosophy

Luar's philosophy centers on celebrating individuality, self-expression, and cultural identity through fashion. The brand creates gender-neutral clothing that challenges traditional norms and embraces the outsider, the queer community, and people of color. It aims to transform personal and cultural narratives into bold, defiant, and beautiful fashion statements. Luar also emphasizes community involvement, storytelling, and reclaiming negative experiences or slurs to empower and uplift. The brand balances luxury and streetwear aesthetics, focusing on sharp tailoring, unexpected silhouettes, and vibrant details.

Sustainability

Commitment: Luar is committed to sustainability and ethical production practices, focusing on social and environmental responsibility within the fast-fashion industry. The brand uses natural fabrics such as organic cotton and hemp and emphasizes artisanal craftsmanship and eco-friendly materials. Practices: Luar prioritizes transparency in its supply chain and ethical labor standards. It is actively working on improving its sustainability performance across eight key criteria: environmental impact, labor practices, sustainable materials, circular economy, transparency, climate change, innovation, and perception. Challenges: Despite strong dedication, Luar currently does not exceed industry norms in sustainability. It lacks comprehensive environmental impact reporting and has limited circular economy initiatives. The brand acknowledges these gaps and aims to set more ambitious goals and specific targets to enhance its sustainability efforts.

Founders

Raul Lopez, Background: Raul Lopez is a third-generation Dominican designer from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. He co-founded the influential streetwear brand Hood By Air in 2006 before launching Luar in 2011. Lopez has no formal fashion school training but draws deeply from his personal experiences, including his upbringing in New York's ballroom scene, his Hispanic heritage, and his identity as a closeted gay man. His work is known for its boldness, cultural commentary, and celebration of marginalized communities. Lopez has been recognized for his innovative designs and cultural impact, including winning the CFDA American Accessory Designer of the Year Award in 2022.

Background

Founded in 2011 by Raul Lopez, Luar evolved from his experiences in New York City's ballroom scene and his Dominican heritage. The brand initially struggled with pauses due to Lopez's mental burnout but has since gained momentum and acclaim. Luar is recognized for redefining American sportswear with a subversive twist and has become a prominent name in New York fashion. The brand operates with a small, trusted team and has expanded its reach through iconic products like the Ana bag. Lopez's personal story and community ties strongly influence the brand's identity and creative direction.

History

Luar was launched in 2011 by Raul Lopez after his departure from Hood By Air, a brand he co-founded in 2006. The brand initially bore the name Luar Zepol and focused on redefined basics and sharp tailoring. After overcoming challenges including two hiatuses due to Lopez's mental health, Luar re-emerged with strong critical and commercial success, particularly with the Ana bag. The brand has showcased multiple collections at New York Fashion Week, each with distinct themes reflecting Lopez's personal and cultural narratives. In 2022, Lopez won the CFDA American Accessory Designer of the Year Award. Luar continues to grow, competing for prestigious awards like the LVMH Prize and collaborating with partners such as American Express.