Jule Dancewear’s Julia Cinquemani
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
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Many people are drawn to dance because it is a means of self-expression, allowing individuals to share their emotions with others and have a creative outlet to relieve stress. In many ways, clothing operates similarly to dance for many people, as it communicates a lot about a person’s identity and can invoke specific emotions in viewers and wearers alike. Founder of Jule Dancewear Julia Cinquemani knows all too well that wearing clothes that don’t fit right can make a significant impact on people, particularly with dancewear. Combatting this phenomenon was the inspiration behind Jule Dancewear, as well as creating dancewear products that cater to dancers with a variety of body types. Read on to learn more about Julia’s journey to Jule Dancewear.
Julia grew up in Dallas, Texas where she began dancing at age four. “I was very passionate about ballet and left home at age 16 to train year-round at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle,” she shares. Later on, Julia ended up signing her first professional contract at Los Angeles Ballet, where she danced for seven years, even earning a promotion to Soloist in 2014 and Principal Dancer in 2016. “I then joined Miami City Ballet in 2017 where I danced for four seasons,” she shares. Highlights from her time at Miami City Ballet include Aria 1 in Stravinsky’s “Violin Concerto,” Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and War Girl in “Symphonic Dances.”
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One of Julia’s favorite parts of ballet was the discipline involved with it and being able to express herself within the studio. “Part of expressing myself was how I presented myself; how I did my hair and what I wore to class,” she shares. At age 14, Julia began designing and sewing her own ballet skirts to wear to class. Eventually, she began creating and selling these skirts to her friends. Shortly after this, as the skirts gained more popularity, Julia was approached by her local dancewear store asking if she wanted to start carrying her own line of wrap skirts in the store. What started as her individual outlet of expression soon became a product for others to enjoy as well.
Jule Dancewear was established in 2011 to “reshape dancewear.” Julia’s mission is to “design and produce dancewear that offers support, conforms to all body types, is high quality, and incorporates the latest in fashion with a commitment to ‘made in the USA.’” “Support” is a crucial aspect of the products Jule Dancewear offers. Julia shares that during her teenage years, when her body began changing, she realized she needed a leotard that provided more optimal coverage and support for herself. “I hated that my ill-fitting leotards were making me self-conscious in a profession where confidence is key,” she says. This is what inspired her to incorporate the support of a sports bra in her leotards in her leotards. “As a result, we are known for reshaping the dancewear mold to support all body types,” she shares.
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In addition to stunning leotards and wrap skirts that flatter an array of body types, Jule Dancewear has become well-known for its “meshie” tights and crop tops. Intended to flatter and accentuate muscle definition, these high-quality mesh tights and crop tops make for unique, colorful, and comfortable outerwear to wear over the top of leotards. Julia shares that Jule Dancewear has “many new products” coming soon, so stay tuned for more!
Julia shares that she’s always loved the way a good outfit makes her feel. This feeling was one of the main sources of inspiration for her products. “My goal in the design process is to bridge fashion and function,” she says. Julia points out that it helps that she spends most of her days in a leotard and tights, as it allows her to seek inspiration for designing products that make her look and feel her best.
For those who are interested in starting their own business, Julia advises them “to have patience and commit to creating in a field that [they] are passionate about.” Once you realize that you can be the solution to the problems you’re facing, many doors are opened.
