Mickey Drexler | The magic of merchandising

Mickey Drexler is probably the most famous merchandiser in the fashion world. Merchandisers are known for their magical ability to combine art and science, analytics and gut feel, experience and predictive skills.

Over twenty years, Drexler built the Gap into a bonafide worldwide business from a struggling 400-store regional chain, using his product and merchandising skills and a 20-piece wardrobe that he kept on a list in his drawer while middling it out in other roles that didn't inspire him.

I came across this conversation from earlier this year between Mr. Drexler and Charlie Rose, one of America's most respected and talented interviewers. Charlie Rose says he "wants to go to school" on Drexler's experience -- which exactly what he does, getting underneath the mystery of merchandising through a series of stories and examples from Drexler's career.