J.Crew’s Mickey Drexler joins Outdoor Voices—could this mean changes ahead?

The driving force behind what J.Crew and Gap are today will now be overseeing the growth of athleisure startup Outdoor Voices, a big signal that the young brand’s indie days could be numbered.

Millard “Mickey” Drexler has been appointed the first chairman of the activewear brand known for its super-soft, downtown-cool pieces, according to Racked. It’s huge step for Outdoor Voices (though not totally jaw-dropping, since OV got its first big break from J.Crew back in 2014).

Since the brand has its sights set on going mainstream, could that mean your favorite cool-girl brand will lose some of its hip factor?

“I have been impressed with Tyler and Outdoor Voices since day one,” Drexler said, referring to the brand’s 28-year-old CEO and founder, Tyler Haney, according to Business of Fashion. Haney’s ambitions are no joke; she has said she wants to compete with the likes of Lululemon and Nike, and Drexler’s appointment is in step with Haney’s goals (this year alone, she plans to open seven new US stores, according to TechCrunch).

Since the brand has its sights set on going mainstream, could that mean your favorite cool-girl brand will lose some of its hip factor? Maybe. Drexler will reportedly be working alongside Haney on product, merchandising, and hiring, so their working relationship may determine what we see in future collections.

But really, it could just mean the rest of the world is ready to try on that neutral, minimalist aesthetic too. Your entire yoga class is about to look chic AF.

Need more athleisure in your life? See what you need to pre-order from Barneys’ fall activewear collection, or denim jackets that go perfectly with leggings.