Jack Carlson (rowing)
Jack Carlson | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 22, 1987 United States |
| Occupation(s) | Designer, author, archaeologist, former rowing coxswain |
| Known for | Founder of Rowing Blazers; revitalization of heritage brands Warm & Wonderful, Gyles & George, Arthur Ashe; U.S. national rowing team coxswain |
Jack Carlson (born May 22, 1987) is an American creative professional known for his work as a designer, author, archaeologist, and former coxswain on the U.S. national rowing team. He is the founder of the New York-based clothing label Rowing Blazers and has been instrumental in revitalizing iconic British and American heritage brands such as Warm & Wonderful, Gyles & George, and Arthur Ashe. In 2024, Carlson transferred ownership of Rowing Blazers to Burch Creative Capital, an investment firm led by Christopher Burch, co-founder of Tory Burch.
Carlson competed for the United States at three World Rowing Championships, securing a bronze medal at the 2015 competition held in Aiguebelette, France. With a background in archaeology, he has published multiple books and scholarly articles.
Early life and education
Raised between Boston, Massachusetts and Hampstead, England, Carlson completed his undergraduate studies at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service, focusing on Chinese and Classics. During his time at Georgetown, he captained the rowing team and earned an Allbritton Scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Brasenose College, Oxford.
At Oxford, Carlson combined his expertise in Chinese and Classical studies to conduct comparative research on Ancient Rome and early Imperial China. After obtaining a master's degree, he was awarded a prestigious Clarendon Scholarship to undertake doctoral research. His dissertation, guided by Dame Jessica Rawson and R.R.R. Smith, explored the use of symbols, imagery, and imperial authority in both the Roman Empire and contemporary Qin-Han China. While studying at Oxford, he participated in both the Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club and the Oxford University Boat Club.
Writing and archaeology
Carlson’s archaeological fieldwork includes excavations at the Etruscan site of Poggio Colla located in the Mugello Valley, Italy. He has contributed numerous academic papers to journals such as Antiquity, the New England Classical Journal, and Foreign Policy.
In addition to academic writing, he authored and illustrated A Humorous Guide to Heraldry as well as Rowing Blazers, a richly illustrated volume detailing the heritage and customs surrounding rowing jackets worn at prestigious events like the Henley Royal Regatta.
Carlson is a fellow of several distinguished organizations including the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Numismatic Society, the Royal Asiatic Society, and The Explorers Club. He also holds lifetime membership with the Archaeological Institute of America.
Design and fashion
Renowned designer Ralph Lauren discovered Carlson through an advance copy of his book Rowing Blazers and subsequently hosted launch events that introduced him to influential figures in fashion. This exposure motivated Carlson to create his own label and design studio under the same name, Rowing Blazers.
Originally concentrating on tailored blazers for rowing clubs and related organizations, the brand quickly diversified its offerings beyond traditional rowing apparel. Today, Rowing Blazers enjoys recognition for its high-profile clientele including celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet, Pete Davidson, Gwyneth Paltrow, athletes like Russell Westbrook, entertainers like Justin and Hailey Bieber, members of BTS, and actress-producer Mindy Kaling.
Carlson is acclaimed for his innovative fusion of classic tailoring with sportswear and streetwear aesthetics. The brand has been prominently featured in publications like Vogue, Esquire, and The New York Times. GQ praised it as "the brand that's saving prep by kicking down its walls," while Men's Journal described it as embodying "classic British and Ivy League iconography with a post-modern, punk twist."
His portfolio includes numerous collaborative projects, notably watch lines developed with luxury brands such as Tudor, Seiko, TAG Heuer, and Zodiac. Additionally, Carlson has partnered on footwear collections with companies like Sperry Top-Sider, Hunter, and K-Swiss. Capsule collections have also been produced in collaboration with retailers and organizations including J. Crew, the NBA, Barbour, Umbro, and FILA. In 2022, he joined forces with American handbag brand LeSportsac to develop their premium Arc En Ciel line.
In 2023, Carlson designed a vibrant Oxbridge-inspired collection for luxury fashion house Gucci, featuring items ranging from formal white tie tailcoats to mesh athletic shorts. The associated campaign was shot at scenic locations around Lake Como. That same year, he launched an extensive collection titled "A Club for Everyone" for retail giant Target. This line included apparel for men, women, children, as well as pet accessories, games, and home goods—offering inclusive sizing options alongside adaptive clothing styles. The collection premiered during New York Fashion Week before launching in over a thousand Target stores nationwide; many items sold out rapidly after release.
Beyond his own brand initiatives, Carlson has played a key role in revitalizing heritage labels such as British knitwear brands favored by figures like Diana, Princess of Wales, including Warm & Wonderful and Gyles & George; he also rejuvenated American tennis lifestyle brand Arthur Ashe.
In 2024, Carlson divested a majority stake in Rowing Blazers to Christopher Burch’s investment company Burch Creative Capital.
Rowing
Carlson served as a coxswain for the United States at the World Rowing Championships in 2011, 2014, and 2015, securing a bronze medal in the lightweight men's eight event in 2015. In 2013, he achieved victories at both the Head of the Charles Regatta and the Henley Royal Regatta, where his crew won the Britannia Challenge Cup, equaling the record time established in 1993.
During his time at Oxford, Carlson coxed the victorious Lightweight Blue Boat in the 2011 Henley Boat Races and participated with Isis in the 2010 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. From 2011 to 2014, he was part of the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club and took on the role of head coach for Oriel College Boat Club, leading them to claim the Summer Eights Headship on two occasions. Prior to his Oxford tenure, Carlson rowed and coxed at Georgetown University, where he was team captain in 2009, and began his rowing journey at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School.
Other activities
In 2023, Carlson undertook an expedition to the South Pole accompanied by his seventy-two-year-old father.