Taste might be the most valuable skill in business today. But what is it, exactly? And how do you know if you have it? In this episode, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessihempel/">Jessi Hempel</a> sits down with legendary retail executive <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/millard-mickey-drexler-1b00a9269/">Mickey Drexler</a> to explore the magic behind great taste—and how it shapes products, brands, and careers.
Mickey is known as the “King of Retail.” Over his decades-long career, he transformed Gap into a 1990s style powerhouse, invented Old Navy, revitalized J.Crew, and launched Madewell. Today, he’s the co-founder of Alex Mill, a fast-growing apparel brand he started with his son.
Jessi and Mickey discuss: 
• Why taste is more than pattern recognition—and why AI can’t replicate it 
• How intuition, curiosity, and listening fuel creativity and business success 
• Lessons from building and reinventing iconic fashion brands 
• How to rebound after career setbacks 
• The role of taste in spotting products that move markets and shape culture 
• How to cultivate your own taste, no matter your field
Continue the conversation with us at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/events/7358951487806316546/">Hello Monday Office Hours</a>! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

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Mickey Drexler on Taste, Intuition, and Building Iconic Brands

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