In The City: Zacapa Rum & Raul Lopez Celebrate Dominican Republic Independence Day With Dascha Polanco, Dilone & more
On the evening of Tuesday, February 27th, Zacapa, the renowned premium-aged Guatemalan rum, joined forces with LAFS ‘Visionary of the Year’, Dominican American fashion designer Raul Lopez of Luar, to celebrate Dominican Republic Independence Day and share news of the two launching a limited-edition collaboration item coming later this spring.
Coming together in the culturally vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights, the soul of New York’s Dominican community, both Raul and Zacapa paid homage to their shared Hispanic heritage.
The lively celebration unfolded at Radio Hotel, welcoming a chic crowd of downtown creatives and notable fashion socialites uptown to embark on a sensorial journey into Zacapa’s ‘Lips to Soul’ campaign.
The immersive experience whisked guests away into the heart of Zacapa’s home, transporting guests to Guatemala during golden hour in Washington Heights. Throughout the event, attendees were captivated by decor that mirrored the landscape from the lush lowlands to the mountain peaks of Guatemala — a heartfelt love letter to the vibrant country where this exquisite rum comes to life.
As the night unfolded, guests raised a glass as Raul Lopez and Zacapa’s legendary Master Blender, Lorena Vásquez, gave a toast honoring what brought the two together — a shared pride for their Pan Latino roots and the communities that have shaped them.
Together, the pair unveiled never-before-seen sketches of the limited-edition Zacapa x Luar hosting kit, which weaves together the two brands’ rich heritage and craftsmanship with the world of luxury fashion.
The atmosphere reverberated with live music from DJ Delabae, in homage to the spirit and roots of the Dominican holiday. Amidst the celebration, guests sipped three specialty cocktails with a Zacapa twist that took them on a journey from lips to soul — one cocktail inspired by Guatemala, Cafe en las Nubes, tropical flavors inspired by Dominican Republic, La Estrella, and a drink that celebrated Raul’s heritage and Zacapa’s Guatemalan roots — a unification of shared Hispanic heritage, Zegroni Dominicana.
Zacapa’s partnership with Raul Lopez is a profound celebration of Hispanic heritage and community, reflecting the two brands’ mutual values of cultural pride and honoring the authenticity of their respective roots through their craft.
Raul, driven by his dedication to infusing his Dominican heritage into his designs, and Zacapa, through its entire production process and its ties to the Petate weaving communities of Guatemala, which craft the unique woven bands adorning the brand’s bottles.
This continued support comes after Zacapa honored Raul with the first-of-its-kind ‘Visionary of the Year’ distinction at the 2023 Latin American Fashion Summit (LAFS) in Miami, Florida. Zacapa’s recognition of Lopez extends beyond just celebrating his remarkable achievements in the world of high fashion — it also pays tribute to Lopez’s unwavering dedication to empowerment through heritage.
Anticipation continues to build as Raul Lopez and Zacapa prepare to officially launch their exciting collaboration in the Spring of 2024.
