Jack Riviera shoes: How Julia Alexander launched her loafer business

George Clooney fan Julia Alexander knows a good loafer when she sees one. The mum-of-three has launched new business Jack Riviera, bringing Hamptons inspired footwear to the streets of Brisbane.

Loves a loafer: Julia Alexander with a pair of Tipsy Jack velvet loafers from her Jack Riviera label. Picture: Russell Shakespeare/AAP

Every debonair dresser loves a loafer.

But when it came to finding a “standout pair” for her husband, Brisbane mum Julia Alexander kept coming up short.

Not content with purchasing something that didn’t quite hit the mark, the former lawyer embarked on a new career path — launching Jack Riviera, her own collection of luxury dress loafers.

Luxury: Julia Alexander with a pair of Tipsy Jack loafers from her Jack Riviera label. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

Handmade from velvet with either a silk or leather lining and a leather sole, Julia says the loafers are perfect for the winter months.

“They are very Palm Beach and Hamptons inspired,” she tells Brisbane News.

“The brand was born out of my love for the high-end international versions I’d seen and my reluctance to pay the prices. I decided there was a real gap in the market for an affordable yet stylish take on the old-fashioned smoking loafer and thought I would just design my own.”

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Strongly influenced by the sights and colours of luxury getaways, Julia says Jack Riviera personifies a man who appreciates the better things in life: barrel-aged wine, fine dining, tailored suits and handcrafted shoes.

“He’s a George Clooney style of man — charismatic, cheeky and chivalrous, all at the same time. My husband Michael loves the shoes and always gets comments when he wears a pair.”

Good trim: Hollywood hottie George Clooney is the inspiration behind new Brisbane brand Jack Riviera. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Originally popular in the 1940s through to the late ’60s, loafers have made a comeback in recent years thanks to a big celebrity following, which includes reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian’s ex-partner, Scott Disick.

Scott Disick loves a good loafer. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

Taking a classic shoe staple, Julia has given it a cheeky twist, creating five styles, each with a playful persona — the Ahoy Jack and Squadron Jack with the nautical insignia; the Tipsy Jack loafers adorned with martini glasses; Tassel Jack, which gives a nod to the demure men’s smoking slipper; and King of Jacks, which were recently seen on Aussie rules football icon Chris Judd and sport a regal lion.

Squadron Jack in emerald green, $185, jackriviera.com

Julia, 38, who has a law and international business degree from QUT, launched her collection last month. Ten months in the pipeline, she named it “Jack” after the childhood nickname given to her by her parents.

Ahoy Jack, $185, jackriviera.com

The Ascot resident has no plans to return to corporate law.

“It’s amazing how much I learned about running a business by researching online from my dining room table,” she says. “It’s been a huge learning curve for me, but incredibly fulfilling. I feel much more of a tangible reward at the end of the day than I did as a lawyer, and it means I can still be at home for the children.”

The loafers, priced at $185, are attracting a following of fashion-conscious men in their 30s and 40s.

Julia, who has three children, is now getting ready to launch ranges for children and ladies.

“Loafers are just so popular with everyone at the moment, and these really are perfect for wearing to a long lunch or a fun social occasion,” she says.

“There are a lot of loafers around, but there’s nothing quite like these.”