Mickey Drexler
Millard S. Drexler | |
---|---|
Born | New York City, U.S. | August 17, 1944
Alma mater | Boston University (MBA) |
Occupation | Businessman |
Millard "Mickey" S. Drexler (born August 17, 1944) is an American businessman, who is the CEO of
Early life and education
Born to Jewish parents in the Bronx, his mother died when he was 16.[5] He studied at the Bronx High School of Science,[6] City College of New York, and University at Buffalo. He later received an MBA from Boston University.[5][7] He used to live in San Francisco, California but moved to New York to continue working for Gap Inc.[8]
Career
In the mid-1970s, Drexler was a
He was onGap Inc.
Drexler is often credited with Gap's meteoric rise during the 1990s. Prior to his involvement, Gap had been a relatively small chain selling private and public brands. Under Drexler the company made a dramatic shift to private label brand merchandise and expanded rapidly to become an iconic part of 1990s pop culture, such as "khakis, basics and casual Fridays".[11] Television advertisements featuring songs such as "Mellow Yellow" and "Dress You Up in My Love" showcased the relaxed American casual look that defined the Gap brand.[12][13] During his time at Gap Inc. he had worked alongside Steve Jobs, who was a board member of Gap Inc. at the time and a friend of Drexler.[14]
On May 22, 2002, however due to a sales slump and ballooning debt, plus his management style which clashed with the Fisher family, Drexler was abruptly forced to announce his retirement by Gap founder Donald Fisher. Drexler stayed on as CEO until September 26, 2002, when Paul Pressler was named as his successor. Drexler was bitter about his ouster but it was validated when sales rebounded one month after his departure.[15]
J.Crew Group
The J.Crew Group, an American clothing and accessories retailer based in
On June 5, 2017, it was announced that Drexler would step aside as chief executive. He had been unable to stop a several year slide as consumer tastes changed.[16] Drexler noted that "J.Crew raised prices and underwent expansion during years when consumers became more and more thrifty".[17] On January 18, 2019, Drexler announced his retirement as chairman, but will remain a strategic advisor to the Office of the CEO and the board.[2]
Alex Mill
As of 2021, Drexler is the CEO of Alex Mill, a clothing brand started by his son.[18]
In popular culture
Drexler has made a guest appearance in an episode of the AMC drama Breaking Bad called Confessions, in which he plays a car wash customer. Drexler said his scene took nine takes to film.[19]
References
- ^ Saltzman, Stephanie. "Outdoor Voices Names Mickey Drexler Chairman of Its Board of Directors". Fashionista. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ a b J.Crew. "Millard Drexler Retires as Chairman of J.Crew Group, Inc". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ Edelson, Sharon (January 29, 2014). "Millard 'Mickey' Drexler Talks Price, Creativity, Career". WWD. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ GAGNE, YASMIN (December 9, 2023). "'You have to be difficult': How Gap and J.Crew icon Mickey Drexler became the king of mall-brand retail". Fast Company.
- ^ a b Lutz, Ashley. "Mickey Drexler Has A Crucial Quality That Most Executives Have Lost". Business Insider. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ Kosman, Josh (October 17, 2016). "Can struggling J.Crew be saved?". New York Post. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- businessoffashion.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ Gordon, Meryl (November 19, 2004). "Former Gap Visionary Mickey Drexler's Redemption at J.Crew - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Nick Paumgarten (September 20, 2010). "The Merchant". The New Yorker.
- ^ "The Apple board member who helped design its retail stores is retiring". The Verge. Vox Media. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
- ^ a b Aquino, Aimee Groth, Judith. "Meet The Guy Who Saved Ann Taylor, Made Gap Cool And Put J. Crew In The White House". Business Insider.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Gap, Inc. - Falling into the Gap, New Stores, New Leader". www.referenceforbusiness.com. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- ^ "VIDEO: Mickey Drexler, Chairman and CEO of J.Crew, on Leading the Clothing Retail Giant - Ladybrille® Magazine". Ladybrille® Magazine. March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- ^ Gordon, Meryl (November 19, 2004). "Former Gap Visionary Mickey Drexler's Redemption at J.Crew - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "Mickey Drexler's Redemption". New York. Retrieved November 22, 2002.
- ^ Drexler out as chief executive NYTimes, June 5, 2017
- ^ "These companies are closing locations in 2020". February 11, 2020.
- ^ Kapner, Suzanne, Mickey Drexler, Former Gap and J.Crew Boss, Is Running a Fashion Brand Again, Wall Street Journal, July 8, 2021
- ^ Moin, David (August 28, 2013). "Mickey Drexler Makes Cameo on 'Breaking Bad'". wwd.com. Retrieved August 28, 2013.