LUAR and Lunazul Tequila Launch Moonlit Streetwear Capsule

LUAR designer Raul Lopez has unveiled a highly-limited capsule collection created in partnership with Lunazul Tequila. The collaboration, which fuses sartorial streetwear with spirits craftsmanship, will have its official debut at LUAR's SS27 runway show on September 14 during New York Fashion Week.

In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, Lopez detailed the creative process behind the link-up. The Brooklyn native visited an authentic agave farm to gain a hands-on understanding of the material, stepping away from New York City's hustle. "It gave me a lot of insight into what these agave plants can actually create, not only tequila, but other sustainable materials," he said.

Shared Philosophy of Craft

Lopez reflected on a shared dedication to careful detail between his fashion label and the tequila maker. He noted that the detailed work in both fields often goes unnoticed at first glance. "Craftsmanship is a huge part of it, especially the small details people might not immediately notice," Lopez explained. He drew a parallel between the unseen effort in crafting Lunazul's spirit and the construction of his garments.

The designer also connected the brands through their names and foundational concepts. "The moon brings people together," Lopez mused. "With Lunazul meaning 'blue moon' and 'Luar' in Galician and Portuguese meaning 'moonlight', both play into each other."

The Agave Leather Innovation

The capsule's central innovation is its use of agave leather. Lopez described transforming the iconic plant into a vegan leather suitable for everyday wear as "incredible." This plant-based material serves as a tangible link between the craftsmanship of tequila and textiles. It also introduces Lunazul's signature blue hue as a bold pop of color within the collection.

The material features in a two-piece jacket-and-shorts set and a basketball-shaped handbag. Lopez emphasized that the agave leather is more than a novel fabric; it physically embodies the partnership's core theme.

A Nocturnal New York Uniform

Lopez stated his aim was to create an everyday uniform heavily inspired by 1990s hip-hop culture in New York City. "It couldn't get more New York! The hat, the jean jacket, the shorts, and the bag," he told Hypebeast. The silhouettes reflect his hometown's easy-but-raise approach to style while leaning into a nocturnal mood.

Deep black denim and hints of blue define the color palette. Lopez wanted to convey the atmosphere of nighttime. "The all-black elements represent the dark, and the hits of blue represent how the moon stands out in the sky," he explained. He emphasized the importance of NYC nightlife to the LUAR brand, stating, "I get all my juices and inspo from the night." Similarly, Lunazul's product is tied to nightlife as a staple of celebrations and gatherings.

Cultivation of a Brand

Lopez sees distinct parallels between cultivating his brand and growing agave. "You have to give it sun. You have to give it water. You have to give it life. And same with the brand," he said. He has been dedicated to building LUAR since 2011, a long-term commitment he likens to the years required to nurture an agave plant to harvest. It is this shared commitment to the creative process that binds the two collaborators. The limited LUAR x Lunazul Tequila capsule is the tangible result of that shared growth.