Julian Lark, The Man, The Brand, The Mogul

Julian Lark, The Man, The Man, The Brand, The Brand, The Mogul The Mogul

Julian Rashard magazine.” magazine.” Lark, started waiting tables at a restaurant straight out of straight out of Fashion school. All the while However his decision wasn’t However his decision wasn’t set on the premise of showset on the premise of showcasing his own designs and casing his own designs and creations, Julian looked creations, Julian looked around him, and saw all around him, and saw all the raw talent that was the raw talent that was designing clothes and trying designing clothes and trying to find a solid entry point to find a solid entry point into the industry and begin into the industry and begin his life; one would say he his life; one would say he had a lot on his plate. As he had a lot on his plate. As he sat down in the booth on his sat down in the booth on his lunch break, Julian decided lunch break, Julian decided “I’m done asking for help “I’m done asking for help and being ignored.” Sending and being ignored.” Sending email after email and essenemail after email and essentially being left on read every tially being left on read every time, Julian says to himself time, Julian says to himself “ I am going to start my own “ I am going to start my own going unnoticed and going unnoticed and ignored just like his and ignored just like his and showcased that. showcased that. Essentially providing Essentially providing and paving away for and paving away for innovators and creainnovators and creatives alike, to gain tives alike, to gain recognition and recognition and get noticed in get noticed in the industry. the industry.

“Not being given the opportunity, I created one, and it was the best thing I ever did.”

Starting the Kontrol Magazine

Originally deciding to make and style all the clothes and just have people wear and rock them seemed like the gold mine idea, but after the 2nd issue dropped, quickly realizing, this is a lot! Spending literally 24hrs sewing clothes in his room, Julian knew that this was not a sustainable model and a change needed to happen. Consulting his husband at the time, about becoming a full time stylist and literally giving away the sewing machine plus fabric. While strategically laying the foundation of Kontrol magazine with the number one rule of “If you want to shoot with the magazine you have to be styled by me.” Building not only his brand credibility but also his portfolio of being a talented stylist. Which positioned Julian to gain the majority of his clients through the Kontrol Magazine.

12 years later

Kontrol Magazine celebrates turning 12 years old this year. With 12 symbolizing the number of perfection, Kontrol’s 12 year had a seemingly imperfect start, which has delayed their official 12year celebration. So unofficially, officially May will be their grand 12 year celebration roll out. However, like every preteen in the world, with age comes wisdom and being the only black owned fashion 1st magazine for this long, has come with its fair share of bumps, bruises, scrapes and scratches. Leading to the philosophy to “stop asking permission, just build it and they will come.” Spoken like a true innovator.

“These past 12 years have been good, but they could have been better, and that just means I need and will be leveling up on myself to be better.”

12 yrs means that there is nothing he cannot do. 12 years means that when he ignored the world continuously telling him that what he was doing wouldn’t work, he made the right decision by blocking that negative energy. 12 years means that Julian lark continues to move based on his intuition, discernment and his own journey. Not many people, let alone businesses can say they saw and surpassed year 12, this is a feat worth celebrating and commemorating.

Becoming a Force in the industry

At some point we all want to be “That” person. The person who is a force in their industry; when they speak, the room is silent and it’s as if the world has stopped. A force is in constant motion, never stagnant, never stuck but continuously moving forward. Unfortunately few know how to become and continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Julian Lark is what we consider a force in the industry. From the beginning of his career, stale and complacent are never words used to describe Julian or his work. “ I never wanted to be who people told me I should be.” He is able to give something new with every look, innovate and inspire others through his own creativity.

Every force is not the same, as they shouldn’t be, but the one thing that the force of Julian Lark had, is that he does not and will not follow trends. Julian’s pieces are timeless. No matter the decade you are in, if you see his work, it will still resonate with the time. That is a force that is constant motion. For the record, trendy, does not get you to the Emmys or Grammy’s being timeless does. “I remember styling my client for the red carpet and the day of the televised event they said my client couldn’t walk. I let her publicist know that this gown says that she’s walking the red carpet. When she got out of the car, that’s exactly what she did.”

When did you know “I have arrived and I Am not leaving”

Him: Getting hired by Anita Baker. They found me on instagram, after seeing the work I did with Lynn Whitefield and was trying to find out who the stylist was, which was me of course. They wanted me to style Anita Baker for the BET Awards where she was accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award. That was the moment I knew that anything I wanted to do, I could do and I was “That Man!” No Need to downplay who I am and the work I do anymore, so I gave myself a pat on the back.

Sweetest memory you have in your career

Him: I am a true believer that a closed mouth doesnt get fed. There was an opportunity as a stylist, and you know it can be hard to get into certain parts of the industry and I wanted to get into television but I had know clue what to do or how to do it. I remember having a conversation with a good friend talking about how I wanted to get into television, not even knowing that she was getting ready to shoot a pilot and made me a part of that pilot. Knowing nothing about wardrobe styling or how to do it, I called up Melinda Williams from soul food and she literally walked me through what needed to be done and not done. It was at that moment I realized it’s not about not asking for help it’s about ensuring that you are surrounding yourself with people who you can learn from and then turn around and help someone else.

Whats Next For Julian Lark

Him: I am transitioning out of styling this year. Starting in May I will be launching the Julian Rashard Group which is a branding and media company that builds websites, marketing materials, logos, videos and stylings for small brands to provide them the opportunity to level up. If you are starting your business, we literally help you from the ground up and get you to a luxury level. I am also getting ready to launch my makeup line Revel by Julian Lark.

Julian Lark True Or False Quiz:

 T or F Julian is a virgo  T or F Julian’s love language is physical touch  T or F Julian Called his Dad when he 1st saw Brandy  T or F Julian was star struck meeting Kimora Lee Simones  T or F Julian starts his morning with Gospel Music  T or F Julian still is dangerous with a thread and needle.

JUNETEENTH is a day to be remembered, when African Americans were finally liberated from slavery in 1865, years after the Civil War ended. Join the celebration with an evening of painting. Get step by step instruction to create a beautiful canvas painting that celebrates giants in African American history. Enjoy curated music, learn, and create a memento of this joyous day.

AS THE CITY of Winter Haven expands its efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion, it is our goal to provide meaningful interactions that improve community relations, encourage collaboration, and bring forth a sense of pride. This observance of the emancipation of slaves in the United States will be focused on education, the arts, supporting local business, and unification. Utilizing the many nonprofits and local educational institutions within Polk County, the festival will promote and provide an abundance of education and health resources. By strategically infusing the visual and performing arts, this event will enhance each attendees’ understanding of African American Culture. The City’s goal is to provide fun and safe activities, community awards, contests, and games while enjoying influential jazz and r&b musical acts.

THE 2021 Juneteenth Music Festival invites all to join, online, for a positive, educational and entertaining day celebrating African American history and the mission to make Juneteenth a national holiday. The goal of the 2021 Juneteenth Music Festival is to educate the larger population about the important American milestone that is Juneteenth and generate awareness to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

WE recognize and honor the importance of Juneteenth with this presentation of Black music mixed live from the great altar by Oakland-based DJ Nina SOL. Nina’s curated selection of gospel, R&B, jazz, Afro-Caribbean and other celebratory sounds pay homage to artists and musicians who have helped to shape American music.