Ann Taylor Appoints Two Executives

Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (New York) has named two executives to fill roles within its Ann Taylor Stores division. Lisa Axelson has been appointed senior vp, design, for Ann Taylor Stores and Mary Kay O'Connor-Wente has been named senior vp, director of stores.

The two appointments mark a strategic step by the company to rejuvenate the Ann Taylor brand and strengthen its fashion positioning, under the leadership of Christine Beauchamp, who became president of Ann Taylor Stores in August 2008. “I am delighted that Lisa and Mary Kay are joining Ann Taylor,” says Beauchamp. “They both share our passion to transform Ann Taylor into an enduring style destination for what's chic, sophisticated and relevant now.”

Axelson most recently was senior vp, design, for Club Monaco, a division of Polo. She began her career at Gap Inc., working on the Banana Republic and Gap brands for 10 years. Her first collection with Ann Taylor will debut in the Fall 2009 season.

O'Connor-Wente joins Ann Taylor Stores from West for Express, where she was zone vp. Prior to Express, she held various field leadership roles at Victoria's Secret.