Designer showcases new line

Displays of brightly colored shirts and ties greeted friends and family members Monday night as they gathered to taste wine and preview the fall 2004 collection of Alexander Julian's designs.

But for the fashion designer himself, the event was more than just a preview of his fall line. It was a return to his hometown.

"I feel complete," said Julian, who received all of his career training in Julian's, which was opened by his parents in 1942. The family business has been located at 140 E. Franklin St. since its opening.

But times have changed since Julian lived in Chapel Hill. A 1969 UNC graduate, Julian said he has seen dramatic changes on Franklin Street. The area now has "less character and texture in downtown."

But Julian said the shop itself has not changed much. It remains a step ahead of other clothing stores, he said.

Julian and his younger sister, Missy Julian-Fox, inherited the store from their parents.

"We talk almost every day, even more on football and basketball game days," Julian-Fox said.

Although Julian lives in Connecticut, he is still a co-owner of the store. "He's a daily partner, just not in the store," his sister said.

The two siblings grew up in the store and even spent a summer vacation looking at shoes in Italy, Julian said. "I had a very unusual childhood in that I had swatchbooks as building blocks," he said.

But Julian said the town also had an impact on his designs, which can be seen in his Carolina Collection. "This store and my parents and Chapel Hill are a merged image for me," he said.

This merged image continued at the event as several family members and close friends came to support Julian. He made sure to greet people as they entered the store, including several men wearing his designs. Whether they already were wearing his designs or not, several men tried on new jackets.

Former Chancellor Paul Hardin, a close family friend and customer for many years, attended the preview with his wife and grandson.

"Alexander's work is avant-garde, dramatic, and it's very successful," he said.

Julian's preview was intended to promote his fall line, which includes more than clothing. He is also a furniture designer and "wine chef" and has created a collection of wine, bottles and corks.

Julian said his designs are versatile. They are used for both women's and men's clothing and also can be seen in his line of furniture.

"Everything bounces off of everything," Julian said. The argyle pattern he used as a sweater design is the same one used on the uniforms for UNC's men's basketball team.

This fall, Julian has focused on using black and jewel tones together. Because he uses all of his own textiles, the designs are unique and timeless, he said.

"The best way for someone to rationalize good clothes is versatility," he said. "These are all about spoiling yourself. They're intelligent indulgences."

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.