Transforming fashion into inclusion at New York Fashion Week

The Luar brand, led by designer Raul Lopez, is gaining prominence at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), consolidating itself as one of the most relevant American brands today. The brand has been consolidating itself with the annual presence of high-profile celebrities at its shows, this is one of the reasons that demonstrates the prominence that Luar has been receiving in the last editions of (NYFW), its shows brought none other than personalities such as Beyoncé and Madonna.

Designer Raul Lopez's success is not new. In 2022, the co-founder of Hood by Air, before launching Luar, was awarded Accessory Designer of the Year by the CFDA and the following year, he won the title of Brand of the Year at the first edition of the Latin American Fashion Awards.

We are all royalty: Power and inclusion in the Luar Summer 2025 collection

In the summer 2025 collection, Lopez explores themes of royalty and power, reimagining elements inspired by the floor-length button-down garments that hark back to the medieval era. Lopez aims to convey a sense of equality, showing that today, everyone can embrace styles that were once reserved for the nobility. As he put it: “I am saying that we are all part of the (royal) court.”

Presented on Tuesday night, the show was mostly made up of non-white models, and the looks reinterpreted symbols of royalty, such as capes, corsets and velvet, and also featured all the streetwear and contemporary flair for which the designer is known, such as transparencies and cut-outs.

Another strong characteristic of the designer's work is the genderless vein, which is conveyed in the show by the grandeur of looks such as blazers combined with pencil skirts or dresses worn by male models and for women we have pronounced shoulder pads and oversized silhouettes.

_{Luar show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) (Photo: reproduction/instagram/@voguebrasil)}

Raul Lopez: The influence of the Latin and LGBTQIAP+ experience on his collections

Raul Lopez is an exceptional designer whose career reflects a deep connection to his cultural roots as well as his personal experiences. Born of Dominican descent and based in Williamsburg, New York, Lopez stands out for his innovative and inclusive approach to fashion.

_{Photo of Raul Lopez at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) (Photo: reproduction/instagram/@voguebrasil)}

His career began in New York’s vibrant vogue scene, where he designed clothing for LGBTQIAP+ performers. This environment deeply influenced his style and characterized his work as a fusion of streetwear elements with a high-fashion aesthetic.

Main photo: Luar show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) (reproduction/instagram/@voguebrasil)