Alexander Julian
Encyclopedia
Alexander Julian is an American
clothing designer
. He is most notable for his Colours clothing brand.
, a childhood playmate of James Taylor
. His father, Maurice S. Julian (1916–1993), was a clothier who opened the clothing store Julian's in 1942. After working in his father's clothing store, he opened his first store in Chapel Hill, Alexander's Ambition, at age 19. The store is now located on the north side of Franklin Street and is called Julian's.
Julian moved to New York in 1975 and founded Alexander Julian Company. He won five Coty Award
s for design — the first before age 30 — and later won the Cutty Sark
award three times.
In sports, Julian designed the uniform for the Charlotte Hornets
when they joined the NBA, and re-designed the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
uniforms. He created the trademark argyle pattern down the sides of the uniform, added bolder trim, and used different fabrics for the 1991-92 season upon Dean Smith
's request. He also designed the stadium seating for the Charlotte Knights baseball team in 1990.
He started the successful Colours by Alexander Julian line in 1981, and was the first designer to create his own fabrics.His textile design is part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection. Later, he branched out to furniture and home furnishings, and in 2008 moved his furniture licensing to Vaughan-Bassett.
Julian was the costume designer
for The Player
, in 1992.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clothing designer
Fashion design
Fashion design is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories....
. He is most notable for his Colours clothing brand.
Early life
Born to Mary Brady and Maurice S. Julian, Julian was raised in Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, a childhood playmate of James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
. His father, Maurice S. Julian (1916–1993), was a clothier who opened the clothing store Julian's in 1942. After working in his father's clothing store, he opened his first store in Chapel Hill, Alexander's Ambition, at age 19. The store is now located on the north side of Franklin Street and is called Julian's.
Career
In 1973 Julian ran a quixotic campaign for Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen (town council) finishing fifth and out of the money.Julian moved to New York in 1975 and founded Alexander Julian Company. He won five Coty Award
Coty Award
The Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards were first announced in January 1942 by the cosmetics and perfume company Coty, Inc. to promote and celebrate American fashion, and encourage design during the Second World War. The first awards were presented in January 1943, with Norman Norell winning...
s for design — the first before age 30 — and later won the Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel , and then as a training ship until being put on public display in 1954...
award three times.
In sports, Julian designed the uniform for the Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets (NBA)
The Charlotte Hornets was a professional American basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They played in the Atlantic, Midwest, and Central divisions of the National Basketball Association. The Hornets began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as an expansion franchise, along with the...
when they joined the NBA, and re-designed the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
uniforms. He created the trademark argyle pattern down the sides of the uniform, added bolder trim, and used different fabrics for the 1991-92 season upon Dean Smith
Dean Smith
Dean Edwards Smith is a retired American head coach of men's college basketball. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Smith has been called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is best known for his successful 36-year coaching tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel...
's request. He also designed the stadium seating for the Charlotte Knights baseball team in 1990.
He started the successful Colours by Alexander Julian line in 1981, and was the first designer to create his own fabrics.His textile design is part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection. Later, he branched out to furniture and home furnishings, and in 2008 moved his furniture licensing to Vaughan-Bassett.
Julian was the costume designer
Costume Designer
A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
for The Player
The Player
The Player is a 1992 American satirical film directed by Robert Altman from a screenplay by Michael Tolkin based on his own 1988 novel of the same name....
, in 1992.