Leaving The Party While It's Still Full - Jack Carlson

News broke yesterday that Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers will be moving on to his next adventure. And in all honesty, for many of us who started as fans, became loyal customers, and then got to know Jack a little bit - it's somewhat bittersweet.  

It is not everyday that a brand like Rowing Blazers comes along.       

                   

In the time since Rowing Blazers launched, several other brands have come and gone. A few quite surprisingly so. So yes, the success of Rowing Blazers took a bit of luck, but luck tends to favor the well-prepared.

Jack Carlson is many things - a champion rower, Doctor of Philosophy (Archeology at Oxford), author, and creative director. And perhaps paramount to his success, and that of Rowing Blazers - he is a genuinely nice guy.

I am the proud owner of more Rowing Blazers gear than I really have space for, but I wouldn't trade any of it. A lot of it is because it looks great (even on my declining form) and it is well-made. But it's more than that. What makes Rowing Blazers great is what makes any iconic brand truly great. It's the people. And Jack and his team created something truly magical, something beyond a brand. Rowing Blazers is much more - it has became a club that you would want to be a member of. Inclusive, fun, and joyful -

The individual ideas for collaboration were wonderful - Babar, US Rowing, the NBA just to name a few. But I think it is even more telling to look at the arc of Rowing Blazers as a whole. It has become a touchstone for so many brands and designers since.

My only regret is not getting the Croquet Stripe blazer while it was available, but you never know, it might come back someday ; )

To be clear, Rowing Blazers will continue on, and I suspect will remain at the forefront. But it will not be the same. That is neither good or bad, but it is fact.

I am grateful that I've had even a small glimpse into this wonderful world as a loyal customer and fan. And if I'm honest, I am happy for Jack Carlson - not everyone gets the opportunity (to quote Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani) to "leave the party while it's still full".

So thank you Mr. Carlson, you have made my sartorial life so much more than it might have been ; )