HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University Hoops is sporting a new look in 2022-23, thanks to the award-winning designer Alexander Julian. Both the men's and women's basketball teams at HPU are wearing new uniforms, along with custom designed shooting shirts and warm-ups to complement the new concept. 



Alexander Julian, born and raised in Chapel Hill, is a longtime member of The Fashion Hall of Fame. He was a six-time winner of the American Menswear Designer of the Year Award and was voted to the International Best Dressed List nine times. In the late 1980s, he became the first fashion designer to design professional and college sports uniforms, most iconically the NBA's Charlotte Hornets multi-striped purple and teal, followed by the UNC Tar Heels Argyles.
 
"As the first American fashion designer to design my own signature fabrics, it was essential to reflect my design "handwriting" in my uniform design…the concept has always been "to bring sportswear into sports".
 
He is also a longtime friend and admirer of Dr. Nido Qubein, who's idea it was to enlist Mr. Julian's skills for High Point University basketball.

"When Dr. Qubein and I were coming back from a UNC basketball game together, he asked me initially to do the High Point University basketball uniforms, no one can say no to Dr. Qubein. He's so charming and wonderful and incredibly effective. What he's done with (High Point University) is remarkable."

 

"America knows Alex Julian's creative capacity and, over the years, rewarded him measurably for his work."  President Nido Qubein said.  "We are blessed to have him as an HPU friend and advocate."

 "When I sat down to actually create something for High Point University, the process for me was the same as with the Hornets and the Tar Heels, which was to try to find something unique that's visually strong and which people can identify with the team in a split second."
 
The process included Julian compiling history of High Point University and its athletic programs, which features the Panther mascot and Panther head logo. Sitting down at the drawing table with the HPU Panther logo, he thought about the Carolina Panther logo and started to research other Panther symbols within the world of sports. 
 
"I was surprised to learn there are 40 or so different Panther logos around the world. Looking at all of those and all the different shapes and sizes in crouching positions and snarling positions and all of that, the one thing they all had in common was the large fangs on the front teeth." For Julian, it did not take long to connect the dots back to one of the most iconic staples in his realm of design. 
 
 "As an apparel and textile designer, one of the most classic and timeless patterns is called a houndstooth design. I looked up the size of a panther's tooth and then I looked up the size of the largest hound's tooth that's out there, and a panther's tooth is approximately 30-40 percent larger than the largest hound's tooth. That gave me the idea to take a classic houndstooth pattern, and enlarge it in scale, to where it becomes a uniquely identifiable (and cool!) "Pantherstooth". 
 
While the design elements were a crucial part of the process, Julian states that the student-athletes who would be sporting his designs were at the forefront of his mind in his creative journey. Along with new uniforms, Pantherstooth hoopers can also be seen wearing newly designed shooting shirts and hoodies by Julian while coaches will receive quarter zip pullovers and ties. Julian worked with High Point University athletics official apparel partner, Adidas, to bring the designs to life. "They did a wonderful job of bringing my ideas to life" says Alex.

 

Julian's new team shooting shirts feature a large iconic HPU Panther's head logo, with the inside filled with the Pantherstooth design. The player's new warm up hoodies are a "retro-futuristic" combo of degrade Pantherstooth and 1920's Letter Sweaters. The coaches' quarter zip knit tops are an innovative "layered look", achieved with carefully designed digital printing, that appear as if the Coach is wearing a white collared Panther purple and white dress shirt with a Panther purple sweater vest, while in fact it's a classic quarter zip pullover knit.
 
"I'm thrilled that these new uniforms work so well for both the men's and women's teams" Alex said. "The signature textile design is the key. It's simple, it's timeless, and it appeals to men and women simultaneously, it's a win-win!"
 
"High Point University basketball joins an exclusive group to have their uniforms designed by the legendary fashion icon Alex Julian."  HPU Athletic Director Dan Hauser said.  "The unique "Pantherstooth" creates an exciting brand design for HPU and provides many applications for both team and licensed apparel."

Julian is the loving father to seven children, and he and Meg have recently moved back to his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

Alex Julian will be recognized for his work with an on-court presentation during the High Point University Family Weekend men's basketball game this Saturday, February 4 at 7 PM.