Lisa Axelson & Mary Kay to join Ann Taylor Stores Division

17 Oct '08

3 min read

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation announced that the Company has hired two talented executives to fill critical roles within its Ann Taylor Stores Division. Lisa Axelson has been named head designer, and Mary Kay O'Connor-Wente has been named head of stores.

The two appointments mark an important, strategic step by the Company to rejuvenate the Ann Taylor brand and strengthen its fashion positioning. With these two critical roles in place, Christine Beauchamp, president of Ann Taylor Stores since August 2008, has assembled a dynamic team to modernize the brand.

"I am delighted that Lisa and Mary Kay are joining Ann Taylor," said Beauchamp. "They are both remarkable talents who share our passion to transform Ann Taylor into an enduring style destination for what's chic, sophisticated, and relevant now."

Axelson joins Ann Taylor Stores as Senior Vice President, Design. She was most recently Senior Vice President of Design for Club Monaco, a division of Polo, since October 2005. She began her career at Gap, Inc., working on the Banana Republic and Gap brands for 10 years.

"I'm thrilled to have the incredible opportunity to restore a chic, fashionable point of view to Ann Taylor," said Axelson. "I hope to deliver covetable pieces that are modern and sophisticated and make our clients feel fabulous," she added.

Aside from her extensive design expertise and deep knowledge of the marketplace, Axelson is known for her fresh point of view, confidence, and enthusiasm. "Lisa has a feminine, cosmopolitan design aesthetic, as well as boundless energy and drive," continued Beauchamp. "She will be a true asset to the brand, and our clients will be excited by the result."

Axelson's first collection with Ann Taylor will debut in the Fall 2009 season.

Mary Kay O'Connor-Wente joins Ann Taylor Stores on November 3 as Senior Vice President, Director of Stores. O'Connor-Wente was most recently Zone Vice President, West for Express, where she drove successful business results through effective development and management of her field leadership team. Prior to Express, O'Connor-Wente was a top-performer in various field leadership roles during her 15-year tenure at Victoria's Secret.

"I am proud to be joining Ann Taylor," said O'Connor-Wente. "I look forward to energizing the field leadership organization and unlocking the amazing potential of the Ann Taylor brand."

"Mary Kay is a passionate leader with vast experience and a proven track record of success in the retail industry," said Beauchamp. "I am confident that her breadth of knowledge and experience will strengthen our team as we work together toward rejuvenating the Ann Taylor brand."

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation

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