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On February 13 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, press was abuzz leading up to Luar’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) show: showgoers saw a sparkle-clad woman exit a SUV. The woman? Beyoncé, who sat front row alongside her mother Tina Knowles and sister Solange, whose son Julez was making his runway debut in the show.
The fashion designer behind Luar and the February show is Dominican American Raul Lopez.
“I like to build an immersive experience where if you go to my show, you’re getting a ‘show’,” Lopez told Vogue Business about his 2024 NYFW show. “I love that whatever you thought about the show, at least you walk away with some type of energy. That’s important: giving people something to talk about.”
Lopez is known for his work as cofounder of the avant-garde label Hood By Air (HBA) along with Shayne Oliver. HBA, established in the mid-2000s, became a cult favorite for its innovative and boundary-pushing designs that blended streetwear with high fashion. The brand was celebrated for its unique approach to gender fluidity, deconstruction, and utilitarianism, making significant contributions to the fashion industry’s discussions around these themes.
After his tenure with HBA, López went on to establish his own label, Luar, which continues to explore themes of identity, culture, and the intersection of high fashion and streetwear. Through Luar, Lopez has been praised for his craftsmanship and for challenging traditional fashion norms, often drawing inspiration from his Dominican heritage. His work is characterized by a focus on tailoring, innovative use of materials, and a keen eye for detail.
“It’s not just [about] being Dominican,” he told Elle in September 2023. “It’s also the nails, the hair, the way we dress, and the way we carry ourselves. We have our sass and we have our pizzazz. We know how to stand out. We know how to walk into a room and shut it down.”
Lopez’s influence extends beyond design; he’s also recognized for his role in shaping the conversation around inclusivity and diversity within the fashion industry. His designs have been featured in numerous fashion publications and have been worn by the likes of Bella Hadid, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, Future, Kylie Jenner, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and more, further cementing his status as an influential figure in contemporary fashion.
His contributions to fashion are notable for their artistic innovation and social commentary, making him an important figure for those interested in the intersection of fashion, culture, and identity.
“I came from scraping to get to the top with a $10,000 budget and putting on a show, back in the day,” he shared with Vogue Business. “I know how to work with what I have. I’m blessed to have a lot of friends in a lot of fields who are down to help me. I’ve created this community of people where we all champion each other.”
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
