Behind the Design: LUAR & Lunazul Tequila’s Moonlit Capsule

After offering a first glimpse at the LUAR x Lunazul Tequila capsule with a dynamic campaign shot between the streets of NYC and a field of agave, designer Raul Lopez exclusively took Hypebeast behind the design, talking through his approach to fusing their worlds and the partners’ shared dedication to craftsmanship.

The highly-limited collection is tied together by the innovative use of agave leather, bringing Lunazul’s craftsmanship into the fold with LUAR’s sartorial, city aesthetic. During the creative process, the Brooklyn native stepped away from the hustle and bustle of NYC, visiting an authentic agave farm to get a hands-on understanding of the material from seed to sewing machine. “It gave me a lot of insight into what these agave plants can actually create, not just tequila, but other sustainable materials,” he said. After the trip, Lopez reflected on their shared philosophy: “Craftsmanship is a huge part of it, especially the small details people might not immediately notice. With Lunazul, people don’t always see the meticulous work that goes into making the tequila itself. You don’t necessarily see the intricate details of how these pieces are created at first glance; you have to really zoom in to appreciate them.”

Speaking to the innovative textile, Lopez mused, “Taking an iconic plant like agave, turning it into vegan leather, and making it suitable for everyday wear is incredible to me.” Featured in a two-piece jacket-and-shorts set and a basketball-shaped handbag, the plant-based leather not only serves as a tangible link between the craftsmanship of tequila and textiles but also as a bold pop of color. Lunazul’s signature blue hue is a gentle reminder of the brand name’s etymology and the inspiration both labels draw from the moon. “The moon brings people together,” Lopez mused. “With Lunazul meaning ‘blue moon’ [Spanish] and ‘Luar’ in Galician and Portuguese meaning ‘moonlight’, both play into each other. We both have a sense of community, ritual, gathering, and culture,” the designer added.

“I wanted to create an everyday uniform,” he explained as he walked through the final design. “It couldn’t get more New York! The hat, the jean jacket, the shorts, and the bag — it’s heavily inspired by ’90s hip-hop culture in the city.” Indeed, the silhouettes stay in tune with his hometown’s easy-but-elevated approach to everyday style, while leaning into a nocturnal mood with deep black denim and hints of blue. For this particular look, Lopez wanted to convey the atmosphere of the nighttime: “The all-black elements represent the dark, and the hits of blue represent how the moon stands out in the sky.” Emphasizing the importance of NYC nightlife to LUAR as a brand, he added, “I get all my juices and inspo from the night.” Similarly, Lunazul’s product is tied to nightlife in its own way, representing a staple of after-hours celebrations and intimate gatherings. Speaking to the tequila’s ubiquity, Lopez confidently said, “I drink tequila. It’s my go-to.”

In both its essence and its literal spelling, LUAR is an intentional reflection of who the designer is. In his view, cultivating LUAR shares certain parallels with Lunazul’s agave growing heritage: “You have to give it sun. You have to give it water. You have to give it life. And same with the brand.” Much like how an agave plant may require up to a decade of nourishment before harvest, Lopez has been dedicated to building the world of LUAR since 2011, and it’s the collaborators’ commitment to the creative process that binds their distinct crafts. The LUAR x Lunazul Tequila capsule will have an official debut at LUAR’s SS27 runway show on September 14 during New York Fashion Week.