As J Crew boss Millard “Mickey” Drexler is in town for the opening of the premium retailer’s UK flagship store on Regent Street, Retail Week digs out some of the best lines from one of retail’s biggest personalities.
On creativity:
“Most people underestimate the importance of creativity. Too many people overlook the importance of a beautiful product. Creativity drives growth in any business.”
On people:
“The person is a resume, not what’s on a piece of paper. Whoever gives advice about resumes in college should be dismissed. Titles don’t matter. GPAs don’t matter, nor does what school you go to. What matters is hard work, and emotional intelligence. People put ‘study abroad’ on their resume. I actually like when they don’t study abroad because that means they aren’t entitled. What about study abroad will make you a better J Crew associate? I hire a lot of waiters, waitresses. Someone who’s successful has a background that’s not predictable.”
On luxury:
“I don’t know what luxury is anymore. A good peach is luxury.”
“Whether you have wealth or not is irrelevant when it comes to appreciating quality - even if you can’t afford it, you can respect it.”
On business:
“Mission statements are a waste of time. Just live by them.”
“You can’t run a business without taking risks.”
“Most obstacles are inspiration.”
On his personal philosophy:
“Treat others as you want to be treated. Isn’t that in the Bible or something?”
On influence:
“When you say something and a thousand people are hearing it, you hope you leave an impression. I’m also sort of advertising.”
On leadership:
“I think the key to success is vision that adjusts on the way, but doesn’t at all falter. It’s about not compromising and following your gut to a certain degree, based on knowledge, instinct, etc. And not listing to the naysayers…. You develop strength through adversity. You have to keep moving towards your goal through huge obstacles. It’s not easy. Especially a business like this where there are so many moving parts. You have to build a good team and know who’s good and not good and you have to keep raising the bar on your life. For me it’s always, ‘I have to get up and do a little better today and go to work to learn.”
On the J Crew he inherited:
“A company with tasteless goods going nowhere.”
Sources include: Fashion Snoops; Fashionista; Retailfashioninsider.blogspot.co.uk; The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
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