Julius Lumsden

Creative Director:
Product + Concept
Branding + Market Position
Trend Analysis + Application

I am an exceptionally talented conceptual and analytical design director with a deep and profound understanding of the design process and critical thinking. Applied commercially, this can develop individuals, design teams, product lines and entire brands to new - even unexpected - levels of market success.

My approach and application of design and critical thinking encompass practical and experiential global perspective. I synthesize abstract concepts and transform them into compelling concrete marketing narratives and product, and have both a methodical process and intuitive vision for identifying marketplace voids and successfully filling product niches.

Design Consultant:
Creative Process Development
Marketing + Brand Narrative Development
Design Production + Development

With an increased commercial success and international market potential of products and brands as a primary objective, I advise designers and executives on the development of cross-cultural identity, narrative, and appeal.

I develop and individual’s and/or team’s talents and strengths, and a more broad and keen sense of product and brand meaning and value.

Lectures/Public Speaker:
Discovering Creative Voice
Inspiration + Discovery
Critical Thinking + Breakthrough

The creative process is the machine that transitions conceptual thought into concrete products and brands that drive commercial success and impact our world. But creative process is not creative voice.

Creative voice must be effectively developed and nurtured in order to best utilize the machine that is the creative process, and to realize and maximize the ambitions of an individual, group, brand or company.

My lectures and workshops allow individuals and entire design teams realize and maximize their potential.

http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Rodney-Smith-s-photographs-evoke-past-4187150.php

http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Jiun-Ho-showcases-international-aesthetic-3882072.php

I teach Trend Forecasting, Branding, Marketing and Fashion as an Identity and barometer of social changes.I also teach Fashion Collection development.

I inspire my students to think critically, to challenge them selves and to discover their creative voice The goal is to empower them to go out into their careers with confidence and an ability to articulate that vision to realize their ambitions.

Professor of Business , Branding, Fashion History.

One of my students was asked on The Art Academy's Blog what her favorite class was. This is the link to that blog - http://www.fashionschooldaily.com/index.php/2013/05/23/student-spotlight-fiona-siao/

"What has been your favorite class that you’ve taken?

The Academy of Art University provides students with a variety of classes, each giving the ability to build one’s strengths step-by-step. It is difficult to say which class is my favorite as each one has helped me in a different way. The class that helped me to realize my passion for the fashion event production field was Dynamics of Fashion with Julius Lumsden. Two years after I finished his class, I still remember the discussion from our first day. Instead of following the traditional teaching methods of lecturing us (a class which was 90% Asian students) about Western fashion, Lumsden asked us to share the fashions we had seen in Asia. A man of British decent, Lumsden encouraged us to figure out the connections between the cultural backgrounds of Asia, the current fashions of Asia, and the fashions of the Western world. He wanted his students to cultivate our fashion tastes and senses by watching fashion shows from main metropolitan areas from around the world. That was the first step in arousing my interest in producing fashion shows."

Developed concepts , brand messages , behind the creation of a collection. Utilized all aspects of art, fashion and social history to inspire students to think about the deeper meaning behind the products they were creating.

Co owned Iceroom.inc. I conceived and created a Pret A Porter collection under the label "Julius Lumsden"

I designed an evening /cocktail collection in Italy.A high end Pret a Porter collection that was made by Valentino's , Armani's and Prada's manufacturers in Italy. I designed the collection in new york and travelled to select in Lake Como . All sample fittings done there as well.It was sold in New York.Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Holt Renfrew ( Canada ), Saks, Ultimo, Joyce ( Hong Kong), Razooks (CT) and beyond.

I was recognized by Fashion Group International at their 'Rising Star Award' in 2003 and was nominated along side Peter Som , Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler.

Tim Gunn, Chief Executive Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc /Project Runway said ,

" I am aware of Mr. Lumsden's drive and determination to design deriving from the way he inspired his students each semester with challenging projects that nurtured their creativity.

I have seen his design work and recognize his enormous talent asa fashion designer. He has a unique vision and the fashion world need his designs.i trust that what ever Mr. Lumsden does he will do with excellence and professionalism"

Aug 8th 2008

Designer is Residence for the Company: created costumes, back drops, and collaborated with lighting technicians to create the look for the ballets I designed

'Thou Swell' , honoring Richard Rogers Centennial, choreographed by Peter Martins, Director of New York City Ballet.The inspiration for this work was 1930s evening gowns and tuxedos, working with the world famous broadway show couturier Barbara Matera's.I designed shoes in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik for the ballet. This ballet had its world premiere at NYCB's Winter Gala .

'Vespro', choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti of La Scala , Milan , Italy, commisoned by new York City ballet.I designed constructivist inspired costumes and created a lighting concept for the set that evoked Mark Rothko's plater sombre epic paintings.

'Guide to Strange Places' , choreographed by Peter Martin's, I designed the set for this ballet.A dark amorphous sky evoking the narrative of the ballet.

Peter Martins, Director of NYCB said,

" In each instance I was extremely impressed with Mr.Lumsden. He delivered creations that were aesthetically diverse and perfectly appropriate to the production. He embraced each project's unique design challenges with enthusiasm and energy, and showed both discipline and professionalism throughout the process.

Mr.Lumsden clearly has enormous talent as both a fashion and a costume designer , and i am happy to recommend him to you"

Dec 6th 2007