Exclusive: Rowing Blazers’ Founder Jack Carlson Exits the Brand

Jack Carlson, founder of the New York-based preppy streetwear label Rowing Blazers, is departing from the brand after serving as its main designer and creative director for eight years.

Carlson also confirmed in an exclusive interview with The Business of Fashion that Rowing Blazers’ co-founder, the veteran fashion executive David Rosenzweig, also departed from his role as the brand’s director of strategy shortly after a majority stake in the label was acquired by Burch Creative Capital in February 2024.

“I feel very happy and grateful for everything that I did at Rowing Blazers,” said Carlson.

Since its launch in 2017, Rowing Blazers has cultivated a cult following by reimagining traditionally WASP-y prep styles — like rugby shirts and collegiate rowing club blazers — through the lens of streetwear culture. The brand gained recognition for its diverse and inclusive lookbooks along with high-profile collaborations — partnering with brands ranging from Gucci to Target.

Carlson said that since the acquisition, his role has largely been focused on directing collaborations personal to him, adding that the brand has scaled down on them to focus more on its mainline products and women’s offerings. Collaborations with the Spanish women’s label La Veste, The Explorers Club, and “Paddington Bear,” were Carlson’s last projects for the brand. Carlson said he still owns a small stake in the business and believes the brand is being left in good hands.

“They’re bringing it more into the mainstream and that’s to be applauded, It’s also part of why it makes sense for me to start a new chapter of my life,” said Carlson.

Since being acquired by Burch, which also owns stakes in brands such as Staud and Danielle Guizio, Rowing Blazers has made key investments in talent such as hiring former J. Crew executive Laura Willensky to be its new CEO in May 2024. Carlson shared that Rowing Blazers is planning to re-open a flagship in New York City this fall and anticipates a new creative lead for the brand to be announced in the coming months.

Carlson said his immediate plans for the future is to finish a new book on the history of rugby shirts with Neal Heard. However, he hopes to continue pursuing design projects across fashion, watches, cars, and interiors. Within the realm of fashion, Carlson said he’s particularly interested in reviving heritage brands, which he did during his time at Rowing Blazers with British knitwear labels such as Warm & Wonderful.

“At Rowing Blazers, I got to make so many of my dreams a reality,” said Carlson. “That’s what makes me feel good about moving on to the next thing.”