Drexler Joins Warby Parker Board

Millard Drexler, ceo of J. Crew Group Inc. (New York), has joined the board of Warby Parker (New York), as the three-year-old online fashion eyewear e-tailer continues its push into retail.

According to The New York Times, the addition of Drexler formalizes what Warby Parker executives have described as a burgeoning mentor role as the company moves beyond its origins as an online retailer. Earlier this year, Drexler had invested in the company as part of a $41.5 million financing round.

 “I am excited to join the Warby Parker board,” said Drexler, who also sits on the boards of Crew and Apple Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.). ““I like and respect [co-ceo’s] Neil [Blumenthal] and Dave [Gilboa] and love what they have created with Warby Parker — they have completely reinvented the eyewear business.”

“We’re growing really rapidly and developing a major retail strategy,” Blumenthal told The Times. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have him in the boardroom for these major decisions?’ ”