Blamo! Jack Carlson on J. Press and Made in America
Feb 2, 2026
Jack Carlson, president and creative director of J. Press and founder of Rowing Blazers, stewards a century-old Ivy menswear brand while honoring its roots. He discusses reviving J. Press’s Cambridge presence, balancing heritage with new audiences, preserving American and UK manufacturing, refining core products like shirts and ties, and using storytelling and visuals to keep the brand authentic.
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J Press Is Keeping Local Factories Alive
- J Press makes a higher percentage of its product in the U.S. and UK than most American brands its size, preserving domestic craft.
- That manufacturing footprint creates responsibility: J Press effectively sustains dozens of specialized factories and local jobs across the US and UK.
Meeting A 50 Year Tie Maker
- Jack visited a J Press tie factory and met a 96–97-year-old tie maker who has been making ties for J Press for over 50 years.
- The man is a Holocaust survivor who rose from errand boy to factory owner and still shows up to work every day, highlighting deep generational craft continuity.
How Japanese Ownership Protected J Press
- Japanese ownership since the 1980s insulated J Press from pressures to offshore or chase margins, allowing it to keep traditional production methods.
- That foreign market strength let the U.S. business remain 'untarnished' operationally and maintain old‑school craftsmanship.
