Millard Drexler
Encyclopedia
Millard "Mickey" S. Drexler (b. August 17, 1944) is the current chairman and CEO of J.Crew Group
and formerly the CEO of Gap Inc
. He has been a director at Apple Inc. since 1999.
He studied at the Bronx High School of Science
, City College of New York
, and University of Buffalo. He later received a M.B.A. from Boston University Graduate School of Management.
In the mid-1970s, Drexler was a merchandising vice-president at Abraham & Straus
in Brooklyn, New York. He has also worked at Ann Taylor
, Bloomingdale's
, and Macy's
.
On May 22, 2002, however, Drexler was abruptly fired by Gap founder Donald Fisher
.
in 1989 with its first store at the South Street Seaport
in New York City. J. Crew quickly hired Drexler after his abrupt departure from Gap. Drexler has sought in his role of CEO to reposition the J. Crew brand as a truly upscale boutique. What was once a moderately priced, American, dressy-casual brand is quickly becoming an upscale, dressy-vintage American brand with "frills included".
In May 2006, J.Crew CEO Millard Drexler, announced plans to launch a chain of casual stores in August under the name Madewell. The name comes from a former workwear company based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Madewell will be a separate company from J.Crew.
J.Crew
J.Crew Group, Inc. is a multi-brand, multi-channel, specialty retailer. The company offers an assortment of women's, men's and children's apparel and accessories, including swimwear, outerwear, loungewear, wedding, bags, hair accessories, belts, jewelry, and shoes. As of January 30, 2010, it...
and formerly the CEO of Gap Inc
Gap (clothing retailer)
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
. He has been a director at Apple Inc. since 1999.
He studied at the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
, City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
, and University of Buffalo. He later received a M.B.A. from Boston University Graduate School of Management.
In the mid-1970s, Drexler was a merchandising vice-president at Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
in Brooklyn, New York. He has also worked at Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor (retail chain)
ANN INC. is an American group of specialty apparel retail chain stores for women, headquartered in New York City, . The stores offer classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories...
, Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
, and Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
.
Gap
Drexler is often credited with Gap's meteoric rise during the 1990s. Until then Gap had been a relatively small chain selling private and public brands. Under Drexler the company made a dramatic shift to private brand merchandise and expanded rapidly to become an iconic part of 90's pop culture. Television advertisements featuring young models and catchy music such as "Mellow Yellow" and "Dress Me Up In Your Love" came to epitomize the relaxed American casual look that defined the Gap brand.On May 22, 2002, however, Drexler was abruptly fired by Gap founder Donald Fisher
Donald Fisher
Donald George Fisher was an American businessman who founded The Gap clothing stores.-Personal history:...
.
J. Crew
The J.Crew Group, an American clothing and accessories retailer based in New York City, founded in 1983 with the launch of its catalog and expanded into brick-and-mortar retailingRetailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
in 1989 with its first store at the South Street Seaport
South Street Seaport
The South Street Seaport is a historic area in the New York City borough of Manhattan, located where Fulton Street meets the East River, and adjacent to the Financial District. The Seaport is a designated historic district, distinct from the neighboring Financial District...
in New York City. J. Crew quickly hired Drexler after his abrupt departure from Gap. Drexler has sought in his role of CEO to reposition the J. Crew brand as a truly upscale boutique. What was once a moderately priced, American, dressy-casual brand is quickly becoming an upscale, dressy-vintage American brand with "frills included".
Madewell