by HIGH POINT – High Point University expanded its all-star lineup of global leaders in the Access to Innovators Program by adding American design guru Alexander Julian. He will mentor students as the university’s Fashion, Furniture, Textile Designer and Entrepreneur in Residence.
“America knows Alex Julian’s creative capacity and has rewarded him measurably for his work over the years,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “We are blessed to have him as an HPU friend and advocate. We welcome him to our Access to Innovators Program to mentor students and share his insights.”
“I am humbled and honored to be included in the pantheon of great contributors who also are dedicated to fostering this great institute of higher learning,” Julian said.
A longtime member of The Fashion Hall of Fame, Julian became its then-youngest inductee at age 33. He is now emeritus director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the International Design Conference. A six-time winner of the American Menswear Designer of the Year Award, he was voted to the International Best Dressed List nine times.
HPU’s men’s and women’s basketball uniforms and warmups have sported Julian’s Pantherstooth designs since the 2022-2023 season. In the 1980s, Julian became the first fashion designer to design professional and college sports uniforms, including race uniforms and car colors for Mario and Michael Andretti, Paul Tracey and Nigel Mansell. He has been named the Motorsports Designer of the Year.
Julian also designed the Charlotte Hornets basketball uniforms, the Charlotte Checkers hockey uniforms and the Charlotte Knights baseball uniforms. He also earned an American Institute of Architects Award for designing the multi-colored seats inside the Knights’ stadium. The University of North Carolina’s Tar Heels basketball team uniforms and all UNC sports teams feature Julian’s argyle design.
“As the first American fashion designer to design my own signature fabrics, it was essential to reflect my design ‘handwriting’ in my uniform design,” said Julian. “The concept has always been to bring sportswear into sports.”
Julian’s textile design is included in the permanent collection for the Smithsonian Design Museum. As a loving father of seven children, Julian says he’s thrilled his signature design appeals to both men and women. He and his wife, Meagan, divide their time between his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and their Connecticut home, which has been featured on the cover of five magazines. Julian was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor of North Carolina.
In addition, Julian was the first and only fashion designer to win the American Society of Furniture Designers’ Pinnacle Award for furniture design. He received Home Magazine design awards twice and was creative director for the National World War II Museum’s Higgins Hotel in New Orleans.
His designs have appeared in films and on popular TV shows, including “Seinfield,” “The Cosby Show” and “Family Ties.” As a board member of Americans for the Arts, Julian chaired the Congressional Breakfast on National Arts Day with a memorable speech.
