Mickey Drexler | Reimagining Brands & Historical Homes in the Hamptons
12/20/23 • 46 min
Welcome to Made in the Hamptons , I’m your host Jill Laurence and this week I have a wonderful conversation with the man regarded as the merchant prince, former gap and JCrew CEO, Mickey Drexler.
Mickey opens up about his early days in the retail industry at big names such as Bloomingdales and Ann Taylor, where he would sharpen his skills to move onto a pivotal role at the Gap. During his tenure he created the mega brand Old Navy, which would soar to unimaginable popularity, turning the Gap brand from a failing jean shop to an $18billion retail giant.
Things would take drastic turn though as Mickey would be ousted from the company and you’ll never believe who delivered the startling news.
He would soon rebound at JCrew, where he also created the Madewell brand, turning the struggling preppy retailer into a design darling and favorite among the budding influencer industry. Today, he is a partner at Alex Mill, a brand the embodies the timeless and attainable design that Mickey is long known for.
We also chatted about Mickey’s impressive real estate collection namely his love for renovating historical homes in the Hamptons, one of which was Montauk’s Eothen, the former long time estate of Andy Warhol, which has entertained such famous names as Jackie Onassis, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Halston and many more.
I found it to be a wonderful conversation about resiliency, determination and hard work and I think you will really enjoy it as well. So without further ado, my conversation with Mickey Drexler.
Made in the Hamptons podcast celebrates dynamic leaders and tastemakers, their stories, and how The Hamptons has played an important role in all of it.
Host: Jill Laurence
Production: @madeinthehamptonsmedia
Website: madeinthehamptonsmedia.com
Welcome to Made in the Hamptons , I’m your host Jill Laurence and this week I have a wonderful conversation with the man regarded as the merchant prince, former gap and JCrew CEO, Mickey Drexler.
Mickey opens up about his early days in the retail industry at big names such as Bloomingdales and Ann Taylor, where he would sharpen his skills to move onto a pivotal role at the Gap. During his tenure he created the mega brand Old Navy, which would soar to unimaginable popularity, turning the Gap brand from a failing jean shop to an $18billion retail giant.
Things would take drastic turn though as Mickey would be ousted from the company and you’ll never believe who delivered the startling news.
He would soon rebound at JCrew, where he also created the Madewell brand, turning the struggling preppy retailer into a design darling and favorite among the budding influencer industry. Today, he is a partner at Alex Mill, a brand the embodies the timeless and attainable design that Mickey is long known for.
We also chatted about Mickey’s impressive real estate collection namely his love for renovating historical homes in the Hamptons, one of which was Montauk’s Eothen, the former long time estate of Andy Warhol, which has entertained such famous names as Jackie Onassis, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Halston and many more.
I found it to be a wonderful conversation about resiliency, determination and hard work and I think you will really enjoy it as well. So without further ado, my conversation with Mickey Drexler.
Made in the Hamptons podcast celebrates dynamic leaders and tastemakers, their stories, and how The Hamptons has played an important role in all of it.
Host: Jill Laurence
Production: @madeinthehamptonsmedia
Website: madeinthehamptonsmedia.com
Previous Episode
SAIE Beauty Founder Laney Crowell | Building a Brand & A Home in the Hamptons
This epiosode I have an insightful conversation with top selling, clean beauty founder Laney Crowell. Her brand Saie Beauty launched in 2019 and has shot to the top of the ranks at mega retailer Sephora and became a social media darling with its glossybounce lip gloss and glowy super skin foundation to name a few.
Dubbed the clean complexion experts, the product are not only free of harsh chemicals and preservatives but also are packaged in sustainable materials, which is the underlying ethos of the company.
Laney and I chatted about the living and raising a family in the Hamptons, how her journey in the beauty industry started, the challenges of navigating the pandemic just months after launching, the importance of building a sustainable brand, her favorite beauty products and places in the Hamptons and more!
Thanks to our episode sponsors for their generous support:
US Bank
The Robert Johnson Foundation
Made in the Hamptons podcast celebrates dynamic leaders and tastemakers, their stories, and how The Hamptons has played an important role in all of it.
Host: Jill Laurence
Production: @madeinthehamptonsmedia
Website: madeinthehamptonsmedia.com
Next Episode
Charlotte Moss | Design Legend, Author & Philanthropist Shares Insight into Building a Lasting Business
Interior design legend, author & philanthropist Charlotte Moss discusses her decision to start her own firm, her first clients, adventures in retail, the most difficult decision she’s had to make in business, the joy of travel, her home and gardens in the Hamptons, turning a family tragedy into good will for others and much more!
Website: charlottemoss.com
Instagram: @charlottemossco
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Don‘t forget to get our exclusive summer wine collection in partnership with Wine 365, a hand-picked wine set that can be delivered to your doorstep! Includes the finest French and Italian wines such as Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, packed and ready with FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS until August 24th!
Go to Wine 365 to learn more & order today:
https://wine365.com/made-in-the-hamptons/
Made in the Hamptons podcast celebrates dynamic leaders and tastemakers, their stories, and how The Hamptons has played an important role in all of it.
Host: Jill Laurence
Production: @madeinthehamptonsmedia
Website: madeinthehamptonsmedia.com
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