IN CONVERSATION WITH LUNAR LABORATORIES

Immerse yourself in the exquisite realm of LUNAR, a brand that transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary with avant-garde allure and audacious creativity. Picture a tapestry woven from bold lines that cradle intricate figures, structural transparencies that whisper of eternal beauty, and hues as deep as the night sky, drawing you into a world where quiet confidence meets unapologetic self-expression. LUNAR dances on the edge of convention, a master of defying norms and embracing the unconventional with an effortless grace that demands attention and commands admiration.

At the heart of LUNAR lies a spirit that flickers like a distant star, illuminating the path for those who dare to explore beyond the boundaries of tradition and conformity. The brand’s essence is a delicate balance of strength and subtlety, a paradoxical blend of power and grace that sets it apart in a sea of uniformity. Each creation is a symphony of contrasts – light against shadow, structure against fluidity – weaving a narrative that challenges perceptions and invites reflection.

Step into the moonlit world of LUNAR and discover a universe where individuality reigns supreme, where self-expression takes center stage, and where the rules of fashion are written anew with every stitch. A mere glance at a LUNAR piece reveals a story of defiance and liberation, a celebration of uniqueness and a testament to the unyielding spirit of creativity.

The concept of a “LUNAR walk” captures the essence of the brand, inviting you to embrace your inner luminary and shine brightly in a world that craves authenticity and originality. Like the Moon’s gravitational pull, LUNAR’s allure is magnetic, drawing gazes and sparking contemplation, leaving a lasting impression that lingers in the minds of all who witness its brilliance.

Born from the dreams and aspirations of a group of passionate visionaries, LUNAR Lab stands as a beacon of hope for those who seek to break free from the shackles of conformity and explore the uncharted territories of creative expression. With a team of experts spanning various disciplines, from fashion and product design to administration and marketing, LUNAR Lab embodies a holistic approach to craftsmanship and innovation.

By utilizing premium materials and services, LUNAR Lab sets a standard of excellence that transcends mere fashion and elevates it to the realm of artistry. Every creation is a labor of love, a testament to the brand’s unwavering dedication to quality and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of fashion.

In a world where mediocrity reigns, LUNAR shines like a brilliant star, guiding us towards a future where individuality is celebrated, creativity knows no limits, and self-expression is a powerful force that unites us all in the shared experience of beauty and artistry. Step into the light of LUNAR and let your uniqueness illuminate the world around you, for in the darkness of conformity, your light shines brightest.

IN CONVERSATION WITH LUNAR LABORATORIES

Could you tell us a bit about you and your background? When was your first approach to fashion?

Hello! My name is Vlad Vraciu, I am 32 years old and I am the creative person behind the LUNAR Laboratories brand. I can say that I liked “fashion” from the first years of my life, because my parents owned a clothing store and I constantly lived in a world full of clothes.

During high school, I had some thoughts of applying to a fashion design university, but I gave up for the reason that I would not have had the capabilities to build something strong in those childhood years.At the same time, I had a great influence from my parents (both state workers) and I chose to continue my studies at the Military Technical Academy in the field of Aerospace Electronic Engineering. Something that changed and shaped my life for good.

Later, at the end of my studies, I got a job at the supersonic planes located in a military base near Constanta. After 1 year of operating supersonic aircraft, I moved to navy helicopters, helicopters that operate from military ships. Being in constant contact with the helicopters and ships of the navy, I started and completed the Naval Academy studies in the same field, electronics naval engineering.

For 4 years I returned to Bucharest where I did different schools/private courses in several artistic areas: ceramics, glassmaking, jewelry, painting, decorative art, leatherwork. For 2 years I have been dedicating my whole life to the LUNAR Laboratories project, and currently I am pursuing my career as an officer simultaneously with my career as a designer.

I have detailed all these things about my first career so that it will be easier for everyone to understand where the passion for angles, straight planes, shapes or “wings” comes from and for you to understand what the clothes made by me resemble.

Practically, I draw the future through the experience of my past in the aeronautical field.

Introduce us to LUNAR’s philosophy and what’s the meaning behind the brand’s name?

The LUNAR Laboratories brand focuses on interstellar travel, to the moon, both literally and figuratively. Literally referring to the pilots’ costumes, as well as the shapes of spaceships, and figuratively referring to the tendency to evolve and find new ways, so that I consider each collection an attempt to reach the Moon.

How is this philosophy manifested and interpreted in the garments themselves?

The direction of the brand is divided into functional experiments, experiments on fabrics or 3D prints and addresses both the real world and the virtual world. I’m not interested in following trends, I’m not interested in reinterpreting the history of fashion, I’m interested in exploring new ways of fashion design and my inspiration and references will always come from the technical side.

Your brand is offering some references to geometric shapes of leather. How does deconstruction play a role in your new collection?

Having a technical background, I like to study a lot the construction and deconstruction of clothing pieces, always trying to give them a new shape. This technique is one of the emblems of the LUNAR brand and will be found in every future collection.

Do you have a different approach when designing for men and women, or would you consider your garments ‘genderless’?

Yes, I have a different approach between the sexes. Although the futuristic vision will be found in any created piece, I love the features and lines of the female body and I will always highlight this and regarding men, I will always try to create a strong masculine presence.

Also, I have had many experiences in which men have worn women’s pieces and sometimes even the other way around, and I am totally open to these things.

How do you think education can improve a newborn brand and how it can play a role in launching a new brand?

I believe and support that you cannot do anything without education, without school. There are useless things in school, but much more useful. From the fact that it keeps you present for several years in that field/environment, that it stresses you out, that it makes you jump, that it forces you to dedicate yourself, but it manages to get a lot out of you and implements a coherent way of thinking.

Without solid bases, in fashion design you can only create in a loop, only what you see around you (already created by someone else). However, I would also like to point out the fact that, unfortunately, in this field, in some schools, teachers try to put their own stamp/creative vision on the students, sometimes even denying them their personal creative vision.

Name us a few celebrities you would like to work with and why?

I am passionate about Hussein Chalayan’s work and his past direction towards engineering ideas introduced into fashion. Also, I really like Pierre Cardin’s vision and work, but also the way he expanded to several artistic areas.

I love the experiments on fabrics made by Carol Christian Poell, and in this chapter I could also mention Boris Bidjan Saberi. The way to reinterpret the use of a fabric in completely different areas, for example the futuristic one, makes Rick Owens a landmark that reminds me and always gives me courage to believe that everything is possible and nothing has limits.

Among those mentioned, I would like to collaborate with Hussein Chalayan, he would stimulate my technical qualities the most.

Are you stocked in some retail stores? Where? What differentiates your brand from others that sell online?

You can find our products in some stores in Europe and in Romania and we hope that in the future we will expand outside of Europe. I think that the differentiation is made through the creative vision that is our own, but also through fair, affordable prices.

Is there a particular personality you have in mind when designing your pieces?

No.

How do you see the LUNAR growing and evolving in the future?

With a little luck and trust from the customers, I trust the vision and the brand that we will grow a lot, that we will have a great future, as well as the expression “sky is the limit”.