Saturday, September 23, 2023

Target’s Just-Launched Collab With Rowing Blazers Is Taking Us Back To School In Style

If there's one thing that's basically catnip for fashion lovers, it's a hot-off-the-presses Target designer collab — and this next one is one for the books. Well, maybe textbooks.

Just in time for back-to-school season, Target has launched its fall designer collection, and it's with none other than Rowing Blazers. The American design label is best known for its irreverent, modern interpretation of the classics: Think suiting, knitwear, rugby shirts, and the like that enjoy a cult following.

Rowing Blazers x Target spans over 100 pieces across adult and kids’, accessories, home decor, outdoor, and even swag for your furry friends. Prices start at $5, and apparel items will be available in sizes ranging from XXS to 5X. The collection dropped online and in select stores on September 23 and, as has been the case with past Target collabs, the adorably preppy pieces are already flying off the shelves. Ahead, shop the highly-coveted Rowing Blazers x Target collab and read along as Rowing Blazers' founder and creative director (and former US national rowing team coxswain!) Jack Carlson walks us through the collection.

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Tell us a bit about Rowing Blazers.
Jack Carlson: "Rowing Blazers is a brand and design studio that I founded about six years ago. We’re known for our irreverent, colorful slightly subversive take on the classics."

Rowing Blazers x Target Glass Jar Candle, Tobacco and Cardamom, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Dog Decorative Bookends, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "We’re also known for the collaborations we’ve done, as well as this cult following and celebrity clientele that we’ve somehow attracted over the years. I really don’t understand how that happens, but it’s very cool."

Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Logo Baseball Hat, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Crest Football, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Crest Beer Stein, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
R29: Tell us about how the partnership with Target came about.
JC: "Target reached out to us kind of out of the blue almost two years ago and I was thrilled when they did. At first, it was very casual, like 'We’d love to learn more about the brand, maybe at some point in the future we can do something.' I didn’t think something would happen right away, but I was hopeful."

Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Logo Baseball Hat, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Plaid 2-Pocket Jacket, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Letter Patch, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "Target is so well known for its designer collaborations and the names they’ve collaborated with, I’m very honored to be in that company. They have executed those collaborations so beautifully and so well, and they’ve been so successful. I was super excited and then just a few weeks later, Target reached back out and they were like, 'We’d love to move forward with a collaboration.' That was a very, very exciting moment."

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Graphic Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rose Print Belt Bag, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Crest Skateboard, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
R29: The collection obviously has Rowing Blazers all over it, but were there any specific references or pieces of inspiration you looked to?
JC: "I really wanted the collection to be the quintessential Rowing Blazers, and have all the categories we’re so well known for: The blazers, of course, rugby shirt, the knitwear, the outerwear. But there was also the opportunity to do so many categories that we have never done before, like pet accessories or home décor."

Rowing Blazers x Target Kids' Duffle Coat, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Kids' Ivy Print Straight Chino Pants, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "I wanted to really lean into the brand DNA because this is going to be so many people’s first time learning about the brand, experiencing the brand, buying something from the brand. And I didn’t want to dumb it down, either. I wanted to keep those really elevated pieces like the outerwear, the duffle coats, the camel polo coat, double-breasted blazer."

Rowing Blazers x Target 'Kindness' Graphic Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Vertical Stripe Corduroy Collared Canvas Jacket, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "We also wanted to lean into the American collegiate aesthetic, and keep the colors and patterns we’re so known for. I didn’t want to be like, 'We’ll make this a little more wearable by toning down the colors.' I wanted it to be true Rowing Blazers, with the graphics, the colors, even the fabrics as well."

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Sweater, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Vertical Stripe Corduroy Collared Canvas Jacket, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "I wanted it to be very elevated and up to [the standard] we’re known for. This is going to be the introduction to millions of people so it needed to be true to the brand DNA."

Rowing Blazers x Target Alphabet Print Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Faux Shearling Crest Baseball Hat, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
R29: What are some of the pieces you’re especially excited about? Any predictions on what you think will be the first to sell out?
JC: "It’s so hard to pick favorites in the collection. The things that we’re so known for, like the rugby shirts, or the sweatshirts and tee shirts, I think all of that will be very popular. I also think some of the more elevated pieces that are some of my favorites will also attract a lot of people’s attention, too."

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Graphic Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Greek Runner Ceramic Ice Bucket, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "Outside of apparel, the yellow and navy striped canvas weekender bag and dopp kit are so beautiful. And there’s a jacket with a corduroy collar, too."

Rowing Blazers x Target Rose Print Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Stripe Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "Also, I love the fact that almost everything in the collection is customizable. You can get these little chenille varsity letters, and I designed a lot of the collection with that in mind: 'Is this going to look good with someone putting their initials or their name a funny phrase?' And I think so much of it will."

Rowing Blazers x Target Stripe Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
R29: You’re in such amazing company when you consider Target’s past designer collaborations and how much they mean to people who love fashion but may not be able to exclusively shop designer all the time. What does it mean to share the brand with a wider audience?
JC: "It means so much. We have done a lot of collabs in the past, but from my perspective, this is the biggest and most important one we’ve done because it will reach so many people."

Rowing Blazers x Target Rose Print Fleece Zip Up Jacket, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Logo Baseball Hat, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "The collab is so in line with the vision that I had from the beginning for the brand, which is creating a club for everyone. And when you think, this will be in over 1,000 Target stores, the average price point is less than $30, and we’re able to have fully inclusive sizing from XXS to 5X, that means a lot."

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Zig Zag Print Tie, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Stripe Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rose Print Ceramic Vase, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target
JC: "[Target x Rowing Blazers] is in a way, the culmination of my vision for the brand, so it’s incredibly exciting."

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Sweater, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Zig Zag Print Pet Tie, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Weekender Bag, $, available at Rowing Blazers

Rowing Blazers x Target Crest Logo Weekender Bag, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Crossbody Bag, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Tote Bag, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Pet Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Cube Pouf, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Logo Baseball Hat, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Croquet Stripe Cable Knit Sweater, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Crest Logo Belt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Logo T-Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Graphic T-Shirt, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Crest Logo Belt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Crest Football, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Stripe Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Croquet Stripe Cable Knit Sweater, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Crest Logo Stripe Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Stripe Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Corduroy Logo Baseball Hat, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target 'Kindness' Graphic Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Plaid Pleated Skirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Duffle Coat with Arm Patch Crest, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Plaid Pants, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Twill Pants, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Twill Pants, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Duffle Coat with Arm Patch Crest, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target 'Kindness' Graphic Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Twill Pants, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Zig Zag Print Tie, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target All Over Print Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Button Blazer, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Rugby Stripe Sweater, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Zig Zag Print Pet Tie, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Rose Print Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Alphabet Print Crewneck Sweatshirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Twill Pants, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target


Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Men's Plaid Pants, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Stripe Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Crest Logo Stripe Collared Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt, $, available at Target

Rowing Blazers x Target Adult Zig Zag Print Tie, $, available at TargetPhoto: Courtesy of Target

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