Gap was going through a very tough period.

The earnings were going to be terrible.

The stock was dropping, and I was a nervous wreck.

I never ran a public company, and there I was.

So it took a year and a half to do the turnaround?

I'll never forget.

All the new goods hit, and it was like a rocket

ship. You know, Steve, I kept saying no for a year to join his board. That wasn't smart of my

part. And finally, he said, if you join Apple's board, I will join Gap's board. And I said,

we have a deal. Why did you leave Gap? Don fired me. The day after he fired me, told me he made a

mistake. I had lunch with a guy who runs a company and he says, how do you deal with the

creatives? It's not easy. And I said, it might not be, but the most difficult people to manage at times

are the most talented.

Hi, this is Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Business of Fashion, and welcome to Inside Fashion on the Bof podcast. This week, we have a very special conversation with someone

who has come to be known as the merchant prince of fashion.

Mickey Drexler grew up in the Bronx working at his dad's company in the garment district

and then carved out a legendary career working at Bloomingdale's, Anne Taylor, The Gap, and

Jay Crewe. These days, Mickey is working with his son on a new brand called Alex Millen. In his

conversation with BOF's chief correspondent in New York, Lauren Sherman, he shares his advice

for young executives working with creative partners. Here's Mickey Drexler, Inside Fashion.

So, Mickey, thank you for being here.

I'm happy to be here.

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