WE’VE PARTNERED WITH SEGA TO CELEBRATE SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

We’re excited to announce that we have partnered with SEGA to create a new capsule celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog. The collection blends classic American collegiate style, ’90s nostalgia, and Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson’s childhood love for the SEGA Genesis.

“WHEN I WAS A KID, BEFORE I EVER WANTED TO BECOME AN ARCHAEOLOGIST OR A CLOTHING DESIGNER, I WANTED TO DESIGN VIDEO GAMES. I DIDN’T BECOME A VIDEO GAME DESIGNER, BUT THIS IS THE NEXT BEST THING.”

According to Jack: “When I was a kid, before I ever wanted to become an archaeologist or a clothing designer, I wanted to design video games. As a little boy in London, I designed my own Sonic the Hedgehog game (with colored pencils and about a hundred pieces of paper). I sent my idea to SEGA headquarters, and they replied with an encouraging letter and a set of enamel Sonic the Hedgehog pins. I didn’t become a video game designer, but this is the next best thing. I wanted to create a collection that brings together our aesthetic and my nostalgic ’90s dream.”

The collection includes a cashmere sweater emblazoned with Sonic’s face adapted from an early ’90s knitting pattern book, a zip-up polar fleece, heavyweight rugby jerseys, a French terry loopback hoodie, piqué icon polos, cotton tees and mesh shorts, along with accessories like baseball caps, a heavy-duty canvas tote, necktie, and bullion goldwork blazer badge.

Jack adds: “Everything we do at Rowing Blazers is connected to my life in one important way or another. A lot of it has to do with the things I loved growing up: the sports, the brands, the culture. I grew up in the ‘90s playing Sonic the Hedgehog on the SEGA Genesis (and its British counterpart, SEGA Megadrive). Sonic has always been such an interesting character to me. In the original games — the ones I grew up playing — he was a little bit brash, a little bit punk. He was different from other cartoon and video game protagonists. He was very ‘90s.

“OF COURSE, THERE’S A KIND OF IRONY TO IT BECAUSE SONIC HIMSELF ISN’T REALLY VERY PREPPY, BUT THAT’S THE FUN OF IT. AND I LOVE MAKING THINGS THAT I WISH WOULD EXIST.”

“There have been a lot of Sonic clothing capsules created over the years, but I wanted to do something elevated, really beautifully-made, and kind of timeless in its aesthetic. Of course, there’s a kind of irony to it because Sonic himself isn’t really very preppy, but that’s the fun of it. And I love making things that I wish would exist. I love Sonic, but if I’m going to wear something with Sonic on it, I’d like it to be really well-made — I’d like it to be something like a rugby, a piqué icon polo, a cashmere sweater. Something a little unexpected.”

The Sonic the Hedgehog collection is available now — only at the new Rowing Blazers flagship store and right here at rowingblazers.com.