Raul Lopez is not a product of nepotism. He’s not a graduate from a prestigious university. He’s here because of his talent and drive, and he’s got plenty of both.

I met the designer on his own turf: his showroom located in Williamsburg, where he was born and raised. The neighborhood is not what it was then, but nor is he.

“It was gritty and shitty,” Lopez recalled. “It went from people carrying shotguns to people into the arts. It’s another half of me, because I have also grown. I didn’t stay in that era. I grew with the times. My work is a reflection of Williamsburg.”

Indeed, it’s all there in his work – his background, culture, childhood, family, religion, and identity. Lopez puts his soul into his designs.

However, getting him to verbalize about his upbringing is a bit more challenging. “My upbringing in Williamsburg was pretty tough,” Lopez said.  “There was no such thing as gender fluid, and homosexuality wasn’t a thing. I was really camp, the most camp you can think of. I wanted people to look at me and ridicule me. Everybody was Latino, and they didn’t understand it or get it. This was in 1999. They did not understand me. I had to fight my way up to be respected and not be picked on anymore.”

His relationship with fashion is a tale as old as time – a young boy with an attraction so strong he’s unable to contain it despite the disapproval of his parents. Fashion was love at first sight.

“The Christian Lacroix haute couture show,” Lopez said. “I think I was just like, oh my God, this is exactly what I want to do.”

”I wasn’t allowed to watch Fashion TV because it was gay. Coming from a Latino background, which is really machismo, I would have to sneak out at night to watch fashion TV,” Lopez explained.

But Lopez had already caught the fashion bug. The designer recalled making his own clothing every morning after that, staying up until 5 AM for custom looks that were  different from the off-the-rack garb of his classmates. He was convincing.

“My family loved it,” he said. “They love that I’m into fashion. At first they were like, ‘ why are you dressing like that? You look crazy.’ People started going up to them and saying ‘don’t worry that’s fine. You’ll be wearing it in five years.’”

He added, “Now, they are the most support queer-friendly, gay-friendly family. I think it’s because I smudge it in their face.”

In fact, there would be no LUAR if not for the sewing lessons bestowed upon him by his mother and grandmother. After coming to the U.S. in 1959, his grandmother worked in the Garment District, and cousins and aunts followed suit. “My dad would try and make me do construction, but I would fake that I had a stomach ache so I could stay and watch my mom sew,” Lopez recalled. “That was my real schooling. I wanted to go to a fashion school, but I couldn’t afford it. But I learned from the best. I had a free scholarship at home.”

Not having the traditional education is still a sore spot for Lopez, who admits he’s “extra hard on himself” because of it. It hardly shows – his studio is shrouded in extravagant pleated silk chiffon crepe dresses and sheer organza jackets that are magnificent to look at while technically impressive.

His gender-fluid approach to clothing has been endorsed by everyone from A$AP Rocky to Kelela. When I ask about how he defines gender himself, he simply responds with the question “What is that?” Now that’s food for thought.

Lopez recognizes the power of the digital age. When he recently expanded into accessories with the “Cynthia” bag, he invited 300 local kids from New York to shoot photos carrying the bag, and asked each post them on their Instagram that day.

“My website crashed right after. We sold out of the pre-orders,” Lopez stated.

For Lopez, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is a chance to share his story.

“Right now I’m at a point in my life, where, with this platform, I can show kids that just because you come from a certain demographic or background, you can still make it. You can shine through with talent.”

For our full interview with the 2018 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist, check out our Question Time Series exclusively on our IGTV Channel.