Alexander Julian
Alexander Julian | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 8, 1948 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Known for | Colours apparel line, original Charlotte Hornets uniform, UNC Tar Heels men's basketball uniforms redesign |
Alexander Julian (born February 8, 1948) is a prominent American fashion designer, best known for his Colours apparel line and his unique fabric creations. He has been honored with five Coty Awards for design excellence—the earliest received before he turned 30—and has earned the Cutty Sark award on three occasions.
Background
Alexander was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to parents Mary Brady and Maurice S. Julian, growing up immersed in a family-run business atmosphere. His father initially launched Julian's Cyclery before expanding into clothing retail with the opening of Julian's in 1942. While attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Julian majored in English and simultaneously worked at his father's store. At age 19, he left university to establish his own shop, Alexander's Ambition, after successfully negotiating the termination of a tenant lease during his family's absence. Subsequently, he acquired his father's stake in the business, resulting in a phase where they operated as competitors.
In 1973, Julian sought public office by running for the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen, where he placed fifth. He was honored with a Distinguished Alumni award from UNC in 1988. The family retail establishment, now named Julian's, continues to operate on Franklin Street.
Julian is a father to seven children: one from his first marriage, three with his current spouse Meagan Mannell, one from another prior marriage, and two children who were adopted out.
Career
In 1975, Julian relocated to New York City and established the Alexander Julian Company. During the 1990s, he consolidated his enterprises under a venture capital fund; however, by 1995 this fund divested its fashion-related holdings, resulting in the loss of his clothing businesses. He subsequently revitalized his brand beginning with a furniture collection introduced in 1994, which remained independent of the fund.[1]
Julian created the original uniform for the Charlotte Hornets at their NBA inception and redesigned the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball uniforms for the 1991-92 season upon Dean Smith’s request—incorporating a distinctive argyle motif and enhanced trim details. Additionally, in 1990 he designed the stadium seating pattern for the Charlotte Knights baseball team, employing fourteen different colors to simulate a textile effect.
In the early 1970s, Julian revolutionized men's fashion through inventive shapes, fabric choices, and color schemes, becoming the first American designer to produce his own textiles.[2] The menswear line "Colours by Alexander Julian," launched in 1981, achieved significant success.[3] His textile designs are preserved within the permanent collection of the Smithsonian.[4] Expanding into furniture and home décor sectors later on, he transferred furniture licensing rights to Vaughan-Bassett in 2008.[5]
In 1990, Julian designed apparel for the Newman-Haas IndyCar racing team, outfitting drivers such as Mario and Michael Andretti.
He served as costume designer for Robert Altman’s 1992 film The Player. In 2014, Julian created a line of men's moisture-wicking cycling shirts for Chapel Hill’s Performance Bicycle, combining athletic functionality with professional aesthetics.[6]
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ name=30yrprofile
- ↑ "chapelhillmuseum.org". Retrieved 2010-03-22.
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