For The Love of Luu
Brand architect Moana Luu brings her passion for Creole culture to her award-winning Manluu brand
By Karen Giberson
MoAnA Luu had one goal in mind when she launched the NYC-based House of ManLuu in 2021: to showcase luxurious, unexpected interpretations of Creole culture from the French West Indies primarily through her jewelry designs, but also through a range of luxury lifestyle clothing and swimwear. An accomplished brand architect, Luu set out to incorporate the vibrant colors and unique characteristics of Martinique using details like the rattan patterns found in the island’s storied wicker in her designs. Her efforts led to near immediate success. In fact, one of Ac’s newest members, Luu recently won Best Jewelry Designer from the Fashion Trust.
To bring her collection to life, Luu hit the streets of New York City’s jewelry district during the pandemic, working with artisans to manufacture the complex pieces. The jewelry took off quickly, most notably after superstar Cardi B. wore a stack of ManLuu bracelets in a
highly photographed moment announcing her pregnancy in 2021. The brand soon became a celebrity favorite, and has been spotted on Gwyneth Paltrow, Tracey Anderson, Maye Musk, and Issa Rae, among others.
Luu’s passion for Creole jewelry is shaped by generations of heritage and expertise. Some of her earliest memories are of her grandparents’ jewelry store in Fort-de-France, Martinique. And while this latest venture is truly close to her heart, her career as an entrepreneur, designer, creator, media mogul, and philanthropist has taken her around the world and earned her respect for bringing a sense of integrity and authenticity to the brands and projects she works on.
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