Rowing Blazers' Jack Carlson Joins J. Press

Summary

• Jack Carlson, founder of Rowing Blazers, has been named the new creative director and president of J. Press, which will mark its first-ever appearance at NYFW.
• This appointment is a natural fit for Carlson, who has a deep personal history with the Ivy League brand and is a celebrated expert in working with heritage labels.

Jack Carlson, founder of prep-inspired brand Rowing Blazers, has been named the new creative director and president of J. Press.

The appointment marks a significant new chapter for the iconic Ivy League brand, which was founded at Yale University in 1902. Carlson’s first collection for J. Press is set to debut at New York Fashion Week this Thursday, marking the brand’s first-ever appearance on the fashion calendar.

Carlson’s new role is indeed a natural fit, as he has a deep personal history with the brand. “I grew up with J. Press,” Carlson said to WWD. “I used to go to the shop in Harvard Square, and many of the first suits, shirts, ties, and belts I bought for myself were J. Press. I still have them. This role feels like coming home in many ways. I studied the classics (literally), and to me, a lot of what J. Press does is almost sacred: the button-downs, the khakis, the blazers, the Shaggy Dogs. J. Press has also had a slightly irreverent streak that resonates with me, too. I want to celebrate all of that; to build seasonal collections and collaborations around it; and to share it with more people. J. Press is an institution — in many ways, the last of its kind,” he continued.

His unique background as a designer, archaeologist, and author (he holds a Ph.D. from Oxford) provides him with a rare perspective on heritage and tradition within the fashion space. And of course, the modern prep sensibilities from Rowing Blazers make him an ideal candidate for bringing a contemporary turn to J. Press.

Carlson is no stranger to bringing a new edge to heritage brands. For example, Rowing Blazers has carried Warm and Wonderful, the knitwear label famously worn by Princess Diana. His intentions at J. Press are to celebrate its legacy of soft-shouldered suits, button-downs, and the signature “Shaggy Dog” sweater, while also introducing a new, modern editorial vision.

With plans to grow the brand tenfold by 2030 and open new stores in major US cities, this is a clear signal that J. Press is ready to reclaim its spot in American menswear. Stay tuned to Hypebeast for the latest fashion industry insights.