Sorry for the Wait: Are you ready???

Alfred Julius: NEW SITE COMING SOON!!!

Are you ready for the revamp??



We are.





New site coming March 2012. Finally, what you all have been waiting for....

May the day bring you joy,


Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Josh Rubin(collab gifting)

Family,

    I had the great pleasure of sitting down with and having a great conversation with one of  the tech generations great entrepreneurs, Josh Rubin. He is the founder and chief executive of CoolHunting. The lifestyle blog and go-to site for everything “cool”. During our exchange I had the opportunity to gift him the collaboration set, which I worked so diligently with Activist Eyewear (sets still available).  From his  reaction, he was truly appreciative of the effort and thought that went into the design. The set was featured on the Coolhunting.com website, to our true delight. Thank you Josh.  Enjoy the pictures.

May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, Founder and Head Designer

Alfred Julius: Tariq Trotter (collab gifting)

     Family,

      The Alfred Julius supporter and Front man for the legendary band, The Roots, Tariq Trotter continues to show support to the brand. We have made custom pieces for him in the past, which he has worn on the late night show with Jimmy Fallon. Out of respect, I felt it only right to gift him the collab set in honor of his new release “Undun” (amazing piece of work by the way). Check the pics below.


May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer


P.S. One of my favorite tracks off the album is "On Time” . enjoy.

The collaboration: Alfred Julius x Activist Eyewear

The launch party went off with out a hitch. Now I present to you the lookbook of the collaboration. If you love what you see, please don’t hesitate and go to  Activist Eyewear and purchase your set today!!!

May the day bring you joy,


Chike Atu, founder and head designer

The Collaboration: Alfred Julius x Activist Eyewear

   With the open spirits of the gents of Activist Eyewear, We were able to make something really special happen. I will be posting ALOT of pics the night and how it went down... I’m thankful and the journey has just begun.

May the day bring you joy, 

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

We DID IT!!!!

Hello Family,


    Its been a little time since I last posted simply because.... well.... I have been working.. and tweaking some kinks before Alfred Julius 1st public debut. It was HARD and I appreciate every moment of it. This hard work, ideally will lead to something of great feats and lead to success for the brand and all involved. Thank you family for supporting me and all the crazy ideas I might have.



May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: What’s in a name??

Dear Family,
     
       Over the process of launching a brand, I have been dealing with a lot of details that I want to be part of the Alfred Julius presentation. What fabrics do I want to have in the initial collection?, what the ultimate design is?, what’s the price point?, who is my customer?, and What will I name these design choices?
    Well we at Alfred Julius are proud to announce the official names of the 5 original designs that will be part of the ground breaking collection. Yes, even the names go into deep consideration. At Alfred Julius nothing is by mistake or by chance, we strive to make a quality impact on the world of Men’s accessories. Proud to reveal the names (no pics, yet).

The Regnant Collection

The Baron

The Gent

The Viceroy

The Potentate

The Opulent

May the day bring you joy,


Chike Atu, founder and head designer.

P.s. Nothing wrong with looking up any unfamiliar words being used. Trust me, we used the references to make sure each word was true to the Alfred Julius brand.

Alfred Julius: Gentlemen of Alfred Julius

Hello Family,


    Last night I was struck with an idea. It is not even 24 hours old, but I think it continues to implement the lifestyle I want the brand Alfred Julius to convey to the world. I want to start a men’s mentor program, small initially, that will start in a local high school and hopefully eventually branching out from that base.
     The name of the program would be “Gentlemen of Alfred Julius”. It would give me the opportunity to introduce the youth to different worldly cultures. Teach the young gentlemen what different opportunities are right in front of them. I have no intentions of this being a “Men’s Fashion” club, but more depth then that... leaning more toward encouraging this ideal group of 20 young men to pursue their dreams wholeheartedly.
     I already made a nice little brainstorm layout of how it would be done and the different components of the group. I have a quality list of That is the goal I have with Alfred Julius, to make the brand truly a lifestyle. Something that reaches beyond buying a bowtie. The bowtie is simply an extension of the man, if the man is built weak, he will crumble anyways, despite how nice his accessories are.
    As I near closer and closer to “officially” launching the brand for commerce purposes. I will continue to work with my team to find other ways to expand culturally to solidify my purpose for Alfred Julius the lifestyle.



“...Alfred Julius, for the masculine gentlemen.”




May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Music

The Roots - How I Got Over

  This is just a great motivational track. Just gets the spirit going and keeps me motivated to keep pushing for my day of “success”. How my “success” will be defined is still pending....

May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Inspiration

Sunday’s Best, Chicago 1941

     This is currently the inspiration for the ad campaign I will do for Alfred Julius, S/S 2012 and the official launch of the brand. The image is timeless and still has so much life rooted in it. I have countless friends and associates that have this image hanging in their places of work and home out of honor and reminder of class. I want to let it be the base of inspiration and “flip it” as they say in my neck of the woods. I have the shoot all planned out. Just need the models, the car, and of course the Bowties!

May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Advice

“...despite how painful and boring it may be, before starting down a path make sure you make a map of where you want the company to go...” - Woodson D. Walker




May the day bring you joy,


Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Collaboration

col·lab·o·rate:

 [kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

verb (used without object), -rat·ed, -rat·ing.

to work, one with another

Alfred Julius: Priorities

   I received today, what will be one of the most important purchases for the Alfred Julius brand. That is the custom Die shape for my bowtie design. It might look like just some metal, wood, and screws, but for me its the beginning of my dreams coming into fruition. The distinct shape and size of an Alfred Julius Bowtie is something we pride ourselves on. We continue to push the limits of design and fabric selection everyday.  I’m thankful to have this part of the manufacturing portion of my brand complete. Next month... we begin the process of getting e-commerce website! Times are exciting and moving, come with us on the journey.


Hope the day brings you joy,

Chike, founder and head designer

^DIE  (d)

n. pl. dies or dice (ds)

1. pl. dies A device used for cutting out, forming, or stamping material, especially.

Alfred Julius: Aloe Blacc (update)

Hello Family,

      Well that was quick! Late last week I got a great email from Aloe Blacc, letting me know that he had the opportunity to perform on the German talk show, Harald Schmidt, and he wore his special made Alfred Julius Red Perforated Leather Bowtie. He has been a great support of the brand, Alfred Julius, and will always have our support in return. Thank you, Aloe Blacc for your generosity.



May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

p.s. Click the link to see the Man and the bowtie in action.

Aloe Blacc

Alfred Julius: Aloe Blacc 2nd Edition

     First off let me say, I’m not stalking Aloe Blacc!... but it does seem I post about him often. The brother is incredibly talented and he serves as a huge inspiration to the Alfred Julius brand.  I had the great opportunity to speak with him after his latest show, he spoke highly of the last gifting (Blacc Leather with Camo Band). He said the was able to put some good milage on his last European Tour. It was only right to bless him with another piece, this time inspired by his “Good Things” album cover. It is the S/S ’12 Red Perforated Leather Bowtie, with button snap closure. It truly a beautiful and unique piece. The moment of exchange was captured we great skill by Walter Pinkney.

May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Official Logo (patent pending)

This will be the official logo of the Alfred Julius Brand (patent pending). I’m pleased with the very minor tweaks we made and ready for the next step of the Journey...

(patent pending)

May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: The Journey

Hello my family,


    It’s been far too long, but I’ve been busy... really busy actually. I made a very smart move and finally have a very creative graphic artist, who has the same vision I have for the brand. One can’t do it ALL by themselves and I have learned that. So my “main man”, Jeremy Paten is welcomed whole heartedly. Also a tighter logo will be posted... like next post! LOL.  I have also continued to work on being comfortable during the networking moments. These are things as a business man and designer that you will be faced on “The Journey”.
   I have also become stronger in business. There are many levels that I’m facing in just trying to get something as simple, yet classic as a bowtie. Taking quotas and finding the best bet for your money is smart thing to do. I took a lead on a manufacture of Dye’s (cut pattern, typically made of metal) in NYC and doing this actually saved me $350. That’s not millions of dollars, but when working independent, its a bundle.
    These little things are what making my journey a little more enjoyable. Keeping the humble spirit alive and asking for help when needed and listening to advice when given. I feel as a team, Alfred Julius is only getting smarter and stronger. The vision is clear. Alfred Julius, for the masculine gentlemen.


May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Music

OutKast - Growing Old

This is easily one of my favorite songs of all-time. With every listen the song encourages me to keep going, because no matter what the current state is in my life/career, change is inevitable. It’s up to me to make that change a positive one. Thank you OutKast and Dungeon Family, respectively. 

May the day bring you joy, 

Chike Atu, founder and head designer

Alfred Julius: Business Relationships

   It’s quite simple. You never know who you might meet or might need for assistance in your business career. Some say never burn a bridge.... I say never expect someone to re-build the bridge for you. I will forever be humble and respectable in business and personal matters. Remaining humble allows for any and all relationships to be mended and once again profitable. I’ve learned this through experience, not just conversations.



May the day bring you joy,

Chike Atu, founder and head designer