👕 “American Crew” — Interview with Mickey Drexler, ex-CEO of The Gap & J.Crew

We sit down with Mickey Drexler — the retail legend who built the modern American wardrobe. Over an 18-year run he grew Gap from $400 million to $14 billion in sales, founded Old Navy and turned it into the fastest brand ever to hit $1 billion, personally bought the Madewell name for $125,000, and later ran J.Crew. Steve Jobs put him on Apple's board, where he helped design the Apple Store — and then called him the night before Gap fired him with one day's notice. Today he's chairman of Alex Mill, the brand founded by his son.Mickey opens up about his cameo on Breaking Bad, why Jackie Kennedy was his muse at Ann Taylor, the Paris moment that gave Old Navy its name, why Gap Kids was a mistake, the loudspeaker he installed at J.Crew headquarters, and why he thinks AI will never replace human taste. He also explains the one thing he says he'll never stop doing — and the rule he lives by that made khakis cooler than jeans. Plus: his pick for the best fashion brand he never worked for, and the advice he'd give anyone going into business with family.CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro: Mickey Drexler on Building Gap, Old Navy & J.Crew1:38 - Mickey Drexler's Breaking Bad Cameo, Explained4:47 - Mickey Drexler, Ralph Lauren & Calvin Klein: The Bronx Fashion Story11:51 - Mickey Drexler at Ann Taylor & His Jackie Kennedy Muse14:09 - How Mickey Drexler Turned Gap From $400M Into $14B23:33 - Why Mickey Drexler Says Gap Kids Was a Mistake25:41 - How Old Navy Got Its Name & Took On Target37:45 - How Mickey Drexler Bought Madewell's Name for $125,00041:29 - Mickey Drexler & Steve Jobs: Designing the Apple Store48:05 - How Steve Jobs Warned Mickey Drexler He'd Be Fired From Gap49:27 - Mickey Drexler on Running J.Crew & Being a Micromanager54:45 - Old Navy's American Flag T-Shirt & the Business of American Style58:42 - Mickey Drexler on Why Fashion, Food & Fitness Live on Fads1:04:08 - Mickey Drexler: Why AI Can't Replace Human Taste1:06:19 - Mickey Drexler on Alex Mill & Working With His Son1:07:29 - Rapid Fire: TJ Maxx, Best Business Book & Timeless Style1:10:52 - Mickey Drexler's Takeaway on American Fashion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.