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| ABOUT US |
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"I named my gift company after my father," recalls Maria Alfaro Brooks. "His name brings back such rich childhood memories of the beautiful places we traveled and the romantic qualities of his life," she added.
It was Maria's passion for international travel and love for gifts that reflect their exotic origins that inspired her to open Julian Gifts. The company was born after her husband Tim asked her to buy corporate gifts for The Austin Group, his travel management company. "Crystal paperweights or pen sets weren't cutting it," said Maria, adding "Murano martini glasses from Italy or pewter trays from Argentina were much more in keeping with what his elite clientele would appreciate."
Maria's clients, which include five star hotels, major law firms, interior designers and friends, not only love having access to gifts imported from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Latin America and more-but value Maria's exquisite taste. From $10 Parisian note cards and candles -- to $65 Portuguese platters and $1,500 Italian handbags, Maria's selections are unique, upscale, affordable and beautifully packaged.
A woman famous among friends for being a great gift giver, Maria was born in Spain and raised between Manhattan and Madrid. Her mother Celia was the daughter of a diplomatic family in Chammorro, Nicaragua. To escape an arranged marriage, Celia fled to America aboard a ship commanded by a Captain of the Merchant Marines. That handsome captain was Julian Alfaro, Maria's father. The family settled in New York City, where Celia became a pattern designer for Perry Ellis and Julian, a published poet, earned his Masters and Doctorate in Spanish and Literature, which he taught at both Fordham and Columbia Universities.
Maria, a respected entrepreneur and world traveler, is a wife and mother of two daughters. She is already teaching her daughters the fine art of shopping in foreign lands.
Julian Gifts is available on line at www.juliangifts.com or by private appointment by calling 773 281-2772 | ||||||||
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