This article is from page 68 of the 2009-11-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
ENNIS native Anita Lyons is the toast of London town as the fashion1- sta takes the world of clothes and de- sign by storm.
The 31-year-old is the internation- al business manager for Arcadia, a company that is better known to Irish shoppers as the mammy of Top Shop, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins, Burtons, Evans and Outfit.
This week, the Irish community in London paid tribute to the hardwork- ing and successful businesswoman
through one of its publications, highlighting her as one of the most powerful Irish businesswomen in the English capital.
Anita is no stranger to the world of retail and some would say her role within the retail clothing company was even pre-destination.
Her mother is the proprietor of Eileen’s boutique in Ennis, while her father owns Kelly’s corner shop.
As a child she was taken to trade shows and quickly became familiar with the business.
She was determined, however, that
she would never end up in the busi- ness and studied for an arts degree and a business post-grad at the Na- tional University of Ireland, Galway.
However, an open day held by Ar- cadia in Dublin changed her mind and she began work there as a gradu- ate trainee. She soon became a vital part of the company and became brand manager in the Oxford Circus branch. From there she was promot- ed to her current position, with inter- national responsibilities.
She was quickly given the major undertaking of setting up the Rus-
sian and Eastern European market.
Her glamorous lifestyle has also seen her shop with Beyonce and sit beside top models at world movie asi Rene
Although she thrives in the com- mercial corporate world and has no plans to leave the job anytime soon, the Ennis woman hopes to one day open her own business. What that business would be is still a mystery.
For now, she works hard to stay ahead of trends and remain one of the most fashionable Irish women in London.