Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for January is Alexander Julian, award-winning fashion designer.

He's won every major design award in menswear and appeared on the International Best Dressed List nine times, but Alexander Julian's favorite parenting style is playing Mr. Mom to his five kids. "I love to bring my kids on work trips, especially if we can ski or there's a beach, and I'm lucky that I can often work from my home studio, which my kids are in and out of all day."

But this best-dressed dad admits balancing work and family is tough. "The hardest thing in the world is to walk the tightrope between doing what you need to do to support your family and yet having actual time with them."

Julian has worked hard to successfully negotiate that tightrope. "I was born in a men's specialty shop in Chapel Hill, wearing oxford cloth diapers," he says, laughing. But in actuality, Julian did grow up in his father's men's specialty shop. "It was the best kind of design education," he says. "My parents taught me the practicalities of the business, as well as the aesthetics, and it was all consumer-based so I learned to pay attention to what customers want."

This warmhearted classroom-in-the-round bred an obvious quick-study. At age 29, Julian won his first of five Coty Awards for Outstanding Menswear Designer, and just a few years later, he became the youngest inductee into the Coty Fashion Hall of Fame.

Fashionably Fun
But despite his designer icon status, Julian makes sure to carve out plenty of time with his family. "My kids are what I do this for," he says. "Ever since I first had kids, they've been the light of my life, and we spend a lot of time together."

When Julian and the kids aren't joking around in his home office or design studio, he proudly watches them learning design by osmosis just like he did. "I learned to speak the language of design in my father's store, and I think it's important to expose kids to good ideas and then empower them," he says. "I try and make my kids feel they can do anything if they really try, which is what my parents did for me."

Julian's kids, boys 9 and 13 and girls 7, 16 and 33, like to hear about his creative projects, some of which Julian selects for pure fun. He was the first fashion designer to design Indy car uniforms and car colors for Paul Newman's race team featuring Mario Andretti. Another time Julian outfitted the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, the first menswear designer to create professional sports uniforms. And he's worked with Michael J. Fox and Jerry Seinfeld and designed costumes for Robert Altman's film The Player.

Sunshine and Snow
After Julian finishes a big project, the family, including his "ultimate wife" of 17 years, Meagan, heads out to play. And they're often carrying a staggering amount of luggage when they go. The Julians once spent a month on the beach in France, where Julian and Meagan slipped away at times to feed their passion for antiquing at flea markets in Paris. And the family likes to shred the slopes in Park City, Utah or wherever else the snow is steep and deep. But some of Julian's favorite times are "playing" at home with his kids and a houseful of their lively friends.

Like many of today's dads, Julian's biggest parenting challenge is "screens." "It's hard to control screens – computer screens, TV screens, Gameboys – you have to be diligent and tough," he says. "Those electronic babysitters allow parents free time but that's exactly what they are: a babysitter." Still, Julian knows it's tough to limit screen time, which is why he sometimes resorts to desperate measures, such as flipping circuit breakers in his home.

And when the lights come back on, Julian talks his kids, and whichever friends are over at the time, into playing games. They gather to play Charades or wage tournaments with cards, backgammon and chess.

Of course, it's not always easy keeping the peace with five kids and miscellaneous friends all willing to give input. "Trying to instill generosity of spirit is a lesson we keep hammering," Julian says. "You have to show kids by example. You can't expect to sit around at home after working your butt off all week. When you're home you belong to your kids."

Avoid "On the Road Again" Blues
Julian does have to hit the road for work, and he brings his family when can, but often he has to travel alone. He advises traveling dads to call every day and talk to each of their kids and their wife, of course.

Keeping in touch makes travel bearable for Julian, but whether he's traveling to consult on a TV show or movie or to promote his home products and furniture line or his newest "Private Reserve" menswear collection, his heart is at home.

"I just returned from a fundraiser and fashion show, with live commentating, and at the end, 600 people were applauding, which was wonderful, but the best thing was to arrive home on Sunday morning and have my kids all jump up to give me a hug," says Julian. "Hugs from my kids are the best. They make it all worth it."

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