When launching a new category, it’s not unusual to hit a few speed bumps. But for Luar founder and creative director Raul Lopez, tariffs had a major impact on his footwear debut.
“It has been crazy,” said Lopez, who produces his shoe range in Asia, told FN in an interview. “I mean, it is what it is; everyone’s suffering from it. But for us, the tariffs hit us just when we were about to bring in our new boot collection last year. And it was sky-high, 100 percent tariff rate. So we had to hold off on accepting the goods and we kind of missed that launch opportunity.”
The collection, which was supposed to land in April or May of 2025, didn’t end up arriving until holiday sales had already begun much later in the year, the designer said. “That pretty much fu**ed us over,” Lopez said.
And even with taking this business hit, the Brooklyn-born designer is trying to make the best of the situation. “Our customers will still wear boots any time of the year,” Lopez maintained. “They will style them with shorts, or with jeans. You can wear with sweats, too. I mean I love a boot in the winter, but these one’s are so versatile, especially since it has a kitten heel.”
The boots Lopez are referring to are the designer’s new “Keyla” style, a knee-high silhouette that features the aforementioned kitten heel. It’s finished with a polished buckle, finished in anti-rust stainless steel, that frames Luar’s signature “L” motif.
Raul Lopez holds the Keyla boot in leopard.
Lexie Moreland
The style was part of Luar’s debut shoe collection, which was first revealed to consumers in December 2024, just before President Donald Trump took office and took action on tariffs.
The collection launched with the “Jehan” mule, which married 18th-century silhouettes with nods to footwear worn by Dominican musicians from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The slip-on shoe featured the same distinctive belted vamp, showcasing Luar’s signature “L” logo buckle in anti-rust stainless steel, as well as a diamond-shaped chiseled toe and a flared block heel.
Raul Lopez with the Jehan mule.
Lexie Moreland
Now, Lopez is focused on what’s working and moving forward, but did admit that they are still “kinks” in his business with regards to tariffs. Deferring to Luar chief brand officer Adrian Diaz for more business insights, the executive told FN that the company is “learning from every aspect of this and navigating the tariffs like most other small businesses have, with flexibility and patience.”
“Most of our product launches have been contingent on when tariffs have been lowest and planning around those delivery dates,” Diaz said. “As a result of the tariffs, we’ve absorbed costs, shifted calendars and adjusted strategies.”
As for what’s selling now, the designer noted that “everyone” wants the leopard print version of his signature boot. The “Adrian” oxford style, which launched in the fall, is also doing well.
The Luar “Linda” thigh-high boot.
Courtesy of Luar
New for spring 2026 is the “Linda” thigh-high boot and the “Sabrina” oxford slide. The new boot features a streamlined, second-skin effect, while the slide is more of an effortless spring staple.
“What’s great about our shoe offering is we do a large range of sizing as we want to be as inclusive as possible. So, you will see us release a size EU 36 up to a EU 46 in our shoes,” Lopez said.
Further engaging with customers is also in the cards for Lopez this year following the success of a holiday pop-up Luar hosted at Rockefeller Center in 2025. “Oh my god, it was so good,” he said when reflecting on the shop. “I’m like, knock on wood. It was actually really good. I was so happy to close December out like that. It was nice.”
Lopez added that it was great to meet some of his customers in real life and to provide a space for them to see everything, from the ready-to-wear to the shoes and bags, and try things on. “We don’t really do wholesale, so I think having a physical presence definitely helped up propel sales. “It was really nice to see how receptive everyone was to the idea.”
The Luar “Sabrina” oxford slide.
Courtesy of Luar
Looking ahead, the entrepreneur will aim to do more retail pop-ups like the one he did for holiday. “I want to do a shoe pop-up and do a few different drops throughout the year.” And could one of those drops be with Adidas? Lopez wouldn’t say, but the designer did cohost an event with the Three Stripes in February during New York Fashion Week. The event, dubbed “Feel Day,” was cohost with Lopez and Ice Spice and featured a field day concept filled with “immersive playground games.”
“People just want more of an experience and to be part of the Luar world, and I think it’s necessary,” Lopez added.
Raul Lopez.
Lexie Moreland
