Greg Jackson applies industrial design principles to his study of modern formalwear and sophistication.
Summary
- GREG LABORATORY approaches clothing as an industrial design exercise, prioritizing function and material science over trend.
- Founder Greg Jackson distills years of high-performance design expertise into a codified system of technical formalwear made in New York.
- The brand’s new collections offer a uniform for the modern professional, designed for versatility across different environments.
The boundaries that once defined appropriate dress have dissolved. Categories that were previously separated, work, weekend, performance, now often exist within a single day. This requires a wardrobe that can adapt without needing a change. This is the problem space Greg Jackson addresses with GREG LABORATORY. It is less a fashion label in the traditional sense and more an ongoing study in functional solutions, often stemming directly from Jackson’s own lived experience rather than an idealized future.
”Every piece I designed was due to a need I found in my daily life,” Jackson explains. “The whole ethos of the brand was based on this idea of designing clothes that are versatile and can function throughout the day. To put it in a better context, the season we’re working on now is based on a trip to Mexico I took over the summer. I went to three different climates and realized I wasn’t quite prepared. My following collection is a response to that need.”
Jackson is not proposing abstract ideas. He is an industry expert applying years of accumulated knowledge to a singular vision: “technical formalwear.” His background is rooted in the research and development environments of global corporations. His portfolio includes significant work on NikeLab, ACG, and Gyakusou, alongside projects for Adidas, the electric vehicle company Rivian and recently his work for Aimé Leon Dore. This experience provided him with expertise in technical innovation and a sharp focus on consumer needs.
At GREG LABORATORY, this background is distilled into an industrial approach. The design process is like the iterative testing in automotive development, focusing on performance under stress rather than seasonal trends. The brand operates at a premium price point, producing limited quantities in New York City, a distinct contrast to the mass market world where Jackson developed his skills.
The brand’s identity is shaped by a dialogue between geography and philosophy. New York City serves as the testing ground, where the locally made garments are subjected to the practical needs of the city. This localized feedback loop, observing interactions and listening to wearers, is crucial to the design process.
Jackson recalls a specific moment when observation translated directly into a solution: “The most recent interaction I had was with a friend of mine. He was wearing an early version of the standard pants, and he mentioned that the pockets were too big. He mentioned that I should add another pocket. I was also feeling the same way, so I updated the pants by splitting the pocket bag into two separate compartments to increase the storage and to organize everything in your pockets.”
This metropolitan grounding is balanced by a reliance on Japanese materials and an influence from Japanese minimalist philosophy, which values intentionality and understatement.
This material science is central. Jackson relies heavily on high performance Japanese textiles, chosen for properties like weather resistance, stretch, and durability. This focus is evident in the brand’s recently revealed Season 5 collection, titled “Internal Systems 001.”
The new pieces are intended to improve the core uniform’s efficacy during shoulder seasons. A new midweight Trench (PC-TS-T25) uses an oversized cut, DWR coating, and a YKK zipper with a snap collar closure system to shield against the elements. Dual window vents provide access to pant storage without exposing the wearer. The Q-zip (PC-TS-Q24) is bolstered by a more robust double-knit fleece, allowing the uniform to perform in colder conditions.
Minor adjustments further refine the system. The shirttails and chest pocket were removed from the Long Sleeve Shirt (PC-SS-LS23), improving overall uniformity. This move toward standardization feels less like fashion’s usual cycles and more like a software update, improving efficiency and removing extraneous features.
The resulting aesthetic is intentional. The brand’s silhouette is characteristically oversized, boxy, and often cropped. This is a functional choice that aids mobility and layering.
Jackson has referenced the cinematic figure John Wick as an ideal wearer, conjuring an image of someone who requires both impeccable style and lethal functionality. He describes the uniform as “armor,” designed to instill a specific emotional state beyond just physical protection.
“I want the wearer to feel a sense of success, confidence, and ease,” Jackson says. “I want them to feel like they are John Wick and can tackle any situation throughout the day.”
The concept of the uniform, for Jackson, is a tool to simplify life. By creating a system of clothing that reconciles elegance with utility, the brand aims to reduce the friction of daily life. Achieving this “sense of calmness” for the wearer requires Jackson to navigate the significant pressures of production cycles and commercial expectations. He admits the pressure is real, but the design process itself has become his refuge.
“After a couple of years of working on the brand, I quickly realized the pressure really is inevitable,” he says. “Designing has since become less of a practice but more of an escape for me. It’s a time for me to tune out all of the distractions and sit and focus for a couple of hours or so. It has become my quiet place.”
In a landscape where versatility is paramount, GREG LABORATORY offers a solution rooted in precision and purpose. Jackson is designing for a reality where the ultimate luxury is the quiet confidence that comes from being functionally prepared for anything.
