We started out wanting to curate goods by designers, both local and international, and present them to our local community not fully understanding what we were doing. We come from a mix of worlds: architecture, art, landscape architecture and plant science, although diverse, each laid the groundwork for what is LUCA today.

LUCA / The Shop was the starting point. We were slowly learning about retail and service. Creating LUCA in under 6 months was an adventure. We wanted to make simple things beautiful and desirable; we strived for finesse, the importance of attention to detail. 10 years later, we understood the level of precision and gestures necessary to transform a shop into a whole experience, a vibrant place.

LUCA has flourished thanks to unique encounters and our dear clients. Over the years, we had the privilege of working with inspiring people and creating successful collaborations.

Unique and unexpected encounters eventually led us to create and launch Field Studies, an exciting fragrance series inspired by the Island, its natural greenery and many intricacies. Exploration: Nº1, was the first one to be introduced, was born with the purpose of restarting and waking up our pending conversations, telling every “body’s” story. Fossilized amber and light musk create a mystical and whimsical base, enveloped by undertones of cedar wood that will please more than one. Recognized as the top ten Winter Scents of 2022.

Design/Build projects came to complement our curating work rather organically with the foundation of Elephant Properties. Elephant is guided by Roberto Sanchez’s vision of designing minimal living quarters made available to clients for long term lease. It was the first project, for us, where curating and design/build came together as one.

We are exploring the realm of hospitality with Rural Magnolia, a rustic retreat tucked neatly into the scenery of Barranquitas. We aim for Magnolia to become a staple for weekend getaways and dinner parties with friends in the countryside.

That is why shop-luca is becoming LUCA / Studio to be able to build upon it without constraint. Our creative journey leads us to new ideas and objects that are so intricately woven into our daily lives.

In 2023, our story continues with LUCA / Studio, a new chapter begins where we choose to explore the vast landscape that is design. With this new venture, we aim to create a space as a creative workshop for making and cultivating ideas. Our first collaboration was and is with Jen Rosa, a talented marketing strategist. Alongside Jen, we created the identity for Rolodex - a monthly traveling guide newsletter.

xx,

Laura Lugo​