Reclaiming "El Pato": Raul Lopez and the Radical Queerness of Luar in 2025

In 2025, Raul Lopez’s Luar stands at the intersection of queer identity, Latinx heritage, and avant-garde fashion, using the runway as a space for both resistance and celebration. Lopez’s fall 2025 collection, titled “El Pato,” is a pointed act of reclamation: while “pato” means “duck” in Spanish, it has long been wielded as a slur against queer men in Latinx communities, especially in New York and Lopez’s native Brooklyn. By centering this term and transforming its connotation, Lopez invites audiences to witness a creative ritual of self-acceptance and communal pride .

The show’s narrative takes inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling,” mapping Lopez’s own journey—and that of many queer Latinx people—from marginalization to self-actualization. Models began the runway in slouchy ivory suits and shearling coats, gradually donning more extravagant, feathered pieces as the collection progressed, symbolizing transformation and resilience. The use of punk music and Latinx soundscapes set the scene for a performance that was both deeply personal and unmistakably political .

Lopez’s approach mirrors the rituals of reclamation and community-building that have long been central to LGBTQ+ culture. By reclaiming “pato” and even referencing “maricón”—another anti-gay slur—in his show notes, Lopez enacts a familiar queer ritual: transforming language and symbols of exclusion into emblems of pride and solidarity. In his own words, Lopez stated, “I always say this is a platform to bring people together, immerse people in a beautiful experience, and enjoy a time of prosperity, love, abundance, and joy. I want people to feel that when they come to my shows.”

This ritual is not merely aesthetic. It resonates with the lived experiences of many queer and Latinx people whose identities are often disparaged or erased by dominant culture. The collection’s title and narrative also serve as a public confrontation with toxic masculinity and homophobia within Latinx communities—issues Lopez has tackled before through both his designs and public statements .

Luar’s “El Pato” exemplifies how fashion can function as both individual self-expression and collective resistance. The show’s structure—telling the story of transformation from “pato” to “swan”—mirrors the coming-out narratives and processes of self-acceptance familiar to many LGBTQ+ people. Each garment, from oversized suiting to feathered capes, is imbued with references to Latinx culture and queer history, challenging the audience to reconsider the boundaries of beauty, gender, and power .

By intentionally showcasing models and collaborators from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, Luar’s runway becomes a space where queer Latinx bodies are centered and celebrated. The inclusion of diaspora aesthetics—from punk to chicano influences—reflects the diversity of the communities Lopez represents. His commitment to authenticity also resonates with the broader movement in queer art and fashion toward honoring the complexities of intersectional identity .

Raul Lopez’s influence is not confined to the runway. Luar’s collections have garnered critical acclaim from international fashion media and have been recognized for their unapologetically queer and Latinx vision . By titling his collections in Spanish, naming his signature handbags after his grandmother, and drawing on the textures and stories of his Brooklyn upbringing, Lopez invites a global audience to witness the power of lived experience as creative force .

The social and cultural impact of Luar is amplified by Lopez’s openness about the challenges faced by queer and Latinx designers. His deliberate reclamation of slurs and subversive use of heritage symbols speak to the resilience and creativity required for marginalized communities to thrive in elite spaces like New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. By refusing to dilute his message for mainstream acceptance, Lopez expands the possibilities for what queer and Latinx fashion can be—and who it is for .

In 2025, Luar’s “El Pato” collection is more than a fashion statement; it is a living ritual of reclamation, a challenge to linguistic and cultural oppression, and a celebration of queer Latinx resilience. Raul Lopez’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of art and fashion to both reflect and shape the rituals of LGBTQ+ life—inviting the world to witness, honor, and ultimately join in the joy of queer self-definition .