Alexander Julian: "I'd Like To Design New Hornets Unifroms"

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

For those that don't know who Mr. Julian is, he is the original designer of the purple and teal pinstripe uniforms that the likes of Grandmama, Mugsy, and and Zo wore.

 

This is particularly special, because it shows that after all of these years, Julian still hasn't lost interest in the Charlotte Hornets.

 

Full Link to Article: http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Alexander-Julian-Id-Like-To-Design-Hornets-Uniforms-208503861.html

 

Excerpts

 

Alexander Julian told me that story by phone Tuesday, and if anyone knows about the teal and purple, it’s him. He came up with the combination, and the original Hornets uniforms that featured it. “I brought that combination to the public,” he said.

 

In a way, the Charlotte Hornets were more successful in couture than they ever were on the court. By 1995, the Hornets were selling more jerseys than any other NBA team, despite the fact that they would never make it past the second round of the playoffs.  In 2010, eight years after the team left town, the Charlotte Hornets brand still created about $1 million in “impact value,” according to a report from The Charlotte Observer. Hornets Starter jackets still command a good price on eBay, and teal and purple snapback hats still sell well in stores.

 

Julian isn’t surprised that the colors have never gone out of style. Now 65, he splits his time between North Carolina and Connecticut. Julian left his hometown of Chapel Hill for New York in 1975, and made a name for himself in fashion with his colorful menswear.  He still has a clothing store open on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill—the same one his father opened in 1942. Inside, there are argyle sweaters featuring the Carolina Blue of UNC, where Julian went to school. There are bowties. Polo shirts. And there are colors. A lot of colors.

 

There’s one that he really likes-- teal. It’s a color that just looks good on everybody, he said. Add purple, and you’ve got a combination that’s held up for more than 25 years. Julian calls them his signature colors. They’re the ones he used when Shinn asked him to create the uniforms for Charlotte’s new NBA franchise.

 

Julian was the first professional fashion designer to come up with a sports uniform, and the success of the Hornets’ duds led to a call from then-UNC basketball coach Dean Smith. He liked what Julian did in Charlotte. Maybe he could do the same thing for the Tar Heels.

 

If you’ve ever wondered why there’s argyle running down the sides of UNC’s jersey, now you know.

 

Jordan knows Julian. The two worked together when Julian was designing North Carolina’s uniforms. And recently, Jordan released a pair of his signature shoes in teal and purple. The two men kept in touch over the years. “We’re Carolina people,” Julian said. “We’re always in contact with each other.”

 

Still, Julian admits he hasn’t talked to Jordan in several years, and he hasn’t spoken to anyone from the Bobcats about designing their new uniforms. He’s still pleased that even after a quarter-century, the Hornets style is still popular and the teal and purple haven’t gone away. “It was a great honor,” he said. “I’d love another shot at it.”

 

[carolina-chuck]

Great News!!!!!!!

[JefDav84]

He got it right the first go around, and would have no problem trusting him the second time around.

[Jase]

There must be pinstripes.

[JefDav84]

As long as we bring back the teal it will be fine.  The original jersey's were classic, but if you all remember we had some alterations done in the later years.  I would not be opposed to something new and fresh, but stay as close to the original as possible.  

[panthersphan]

This is so exciting!!!!!

MJ and Julian know each other and are both UNC guys, I really see this happening!

Very cool article! Didn't know that the pinstripes (albiet Carolina blue) were a nod to UNC or that he is the man behind the argyle pattern that's become iconic with the Tar Heels...not a Heels fan but interesting nonetheless

[PantherAZ]

Lets make this happen!

[rscott94]

Really cool news! (also this "Huddle Hornets edition" is bad ass