Despite Luther’s pronounced, lunging London bowl and mardy, spitting physique, you rarely see the BBC’s toughest Chief Inspector going toe-to-toe with his suspects, he's usually beaten them way before then. However, it’s hardly a shock to learn that the man behind Luther has always had to be a bit handy with his fists.
Idris Elba grew up in Canning Town in East London, is a keen martial artist and the new face of LUTA – a collection of fightwear, trainingwear and streetwear that brings together real fight performance, favela style and a genuine social mission.
“Fight for Peace in North Woolwich is just around the corner from where I used to live and it’s an inspiration to see so many young people coming through the Academy. As a keen martial artist myself, I see a definite need for a clothing brand that delivers real fight performance with genuine style, so I’ll definitely be wearing LUTA next time I head down to the gym.”
In 2000, in the favela of Complexo da Maré in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a small boxing club called Luta Pela Paz (Fight for Peace) was founded. Maré is divided by heavily armed drug factions and residents are plagued by daily gun violence, social exclusion and economic hardship so Fight for Peace offered a way out. Over time this small boxing club has grown into a multi-combat sport and education Academy, creating champions both in and out of the ring.
More pertinently, not only does the brand have a significant and inspiring social mission, it’s just fucking cool. If association and depth are the benchmarks of a solid brand, LUTA has both dukes well and truly raised, both in the ring and on the street.
Fight for your peace here: www.luta.co.uk
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