Anna's Interview with the East Anglia Daily Times

Meet the Boss: Boutique owner Anna Park adapts to changing fashions

In the latest of an occasional series of Q&A profiles, the focus falls on Anna Park, owner of ANNA boutiques.

Anna Park

: : Name:

Anna Park

: : Age:

48

: : Job description:

Owner of ANNA boutiques.

: : Where are you based?

London and East Anglia.

: : What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Running – I exercise every morning.

: : What was your first ever job?

I worked in a pub in Henley on Thames

: : What was the most unusual task you have been asked to carry out at work?

A child was once sick all over me whilst at work, so cleaning this up was quite unusual.

: : Do you remember your first day at work and, if so, what was it like and what did you do?

In terms of fashion I worked at Warehouse – it was quite surprising as we were asked to stand in one spot and not say anything unless someone spoke to us.

: : How did you get where you are now?

You always learn from others – listening and learning. I learn something new everyday that helps me in both my business and life.

: : What was your best day at work and why?

Opening my first shop in Burnham Market with my mother by my side – it was the start of something brilliant.

: : What was your worst day at work and why?

It was March 28. 1997 – in some ways it was one of the best days of my life (eventually) however, I went into labour with my second son Jack – it was unexpected – I almost had him in the shop – but managed to wait another 20 minutes.

: : What impresses you most on your own CV?

The fact that I’m a cordon bleu chef.

: : Do you think you are a good employer, and if so, why/why not?

Yes – I would say I’m a good employer. I think the proof is in the pudding and most of my staff have been with me for over five years. Even holiday staff – such as University students – generally come back and work for me in their holidays – some come back and work for me after Uni – and I have even helped some graduates get jobs as buyers for other brands.

: : What do you think are your best attributes at work?

I’m fair – I work on the shop floor and I’m one of the team. I listen to what people have to say and take it on board. I adapt to change and work hard.

: : What are your worst failings?

I worry about not worrying.

: : If you weren’t doing the above, what would you be doing?

I would have a lovely little café / restaurant serving healthy food somewhere in the UK – I’d make it special and then open a few more and make them equally special.

: : What are the attributes in work colleagues in general that you admire the most?

Loyalty and commitment – my colleagues are so loyal to me and they understand my philosophy.

: : What are the failings in work colleagues in general that you hate the most?

A lack of loyalty and commitment.

: : What’s your biggest work worry?

It’s got to be the future of the independent shops against the muscle of the multiples. That - and the downfall of shopping in town centres.

: : What’s your best stress-buster?

Yoga and running.

: : Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with my family.

: : Tell us something people might not know about you.

I’m a domestic goddess.

: : If you had the power to do any job in the world, what would it be and why?

I would bring the high street back to the independents. I would help stop it (the high street) being taken over – I’d like to bring the shopping experience back to people and have malls outside of town centres.

EADT24 

STREET STYLE round-up at London Fashion Week!

It's not only the catwalk where new trends are spotted at LFW, the street is just as important. With the recent up-filtering of street style into designer collections it is becoming ever more relevant to the fashion world. So for the past five days the courtyard of Somerset House has been awash with bloggers, photographers and trend spotters all vying for the freshest forward thinking looks to define current trends. Here is a round-up of the prevalent trends we saw at LFW.

FLUORO
Fluoro could be seen everywhere at LFW and the streets were no exception. The fluoro beanie accent was particularly favoured by LFW visitors, closely followed by fluoro socks under sandals.

ROUND SUNGLASSES 

Due to the wealth of sunshine every outfit was complimented by a pair of sunglasses, and the shape.....round.

BEANIES

Although it was sunny there was still a chill in the air (it is February after all) and many chose to wear a beanie to keep out the cold. Of course these beanies had to be artfully positioned, and if this beanie could be fluoro and teamed with a pair of round sunglasses all the better. Well done to the bottom middle fashionista for ticking all the boxes!

RAINBOW HAIR

We saw hair in every shade, and some, all shades on one head! Subtle pastel tones over platinum blondes were our favourite and perfect to take you into spring.

TRAINERS

It's good news for tired feet, trainers are fashionable (and much more sensible for running around LFW)!

Here are some of our favourite street style looks from LFW:

At the forefront of street style are the bloggers here are few of them we met sporting some amazing outfits:

Iris Bjork

Promise Armstrong

Breeny Lee

Gracie Opulanza

Stella

London Fashion Week Begins!

Somerset House hosting LFW

Somerset House became the centre of the fashion world this morning for the first day of London Fashion week! We were there bright and early battling our way through the throngs of bloggers to see the Zoe Jordan Show. Pre-show the catwalk was awash with photographers with the zeal of paparazzi as they fought to get pictures of Zoe Jordan’s ever increasing celebrity fans. Dionne Bromfield, Holly Valance and Poppy Delevigne to name but a few, were all on the front row.

Zoe Jordan Show

The show played to Jordan’s strengths, with new fabric combinations and exciting style juxtapositions, a ribbed tank top over a silk skirt, a knitted jumper under a leather dress, dressing down the dressed up to create her effortlessly cool aesthetic. Minimalism was prevalent throughout the collection with simple unfussy silhouettes and blocks of colour; slate greys accented by fuchsia and orange in the turn of a cuff, flare of a skirt or heel of a shoe.

Styles we bough for the ANNA A/W 13 collection

These pieces are made to slip into your wardrobe and stand the test of time. They are key pieces that work with what you’ve already got, our picks for the ANNA A/W 13 collection from Zoe Jordan reflect this outlook. A pink silk tee, worn on the catwalk with matching pink trousers, would look just as good with your favourite skinny jeans. A grey ribbed tank top, worn on the catwalk with a silk skirt, would look great teamed with your leather trousers from last season. Look out for the collection set to hit our stores in late July. Click here to shop the Zoe Jordan S/S collection.

Binky, Lucy and Victoria from Made in Chelsea

The cast of Made in Chelsea were out in force for a day of filming at LFW. We thought Victoria Baker-Haber looked effortlessly chic in her cute trouser suit ensemble, combining a cropped jacket with a high waisted, wide legged pinstripe trouser.

SCOOP

Left: Vintage by Fee. Right: Odd Molly

Yesterday at the Saatchi gallery the art was overshadowed at the final day of SCOOP where we got a tantalizing, pre-LFW glimpse into the collections of A/W 13.

A/W 13 looks set to be a bright one! Cult denim brand DL1961 showcased a rainbow inspired pallet while Mother displayed ornate prints and water colour cords. Dashes of neon lit up statement jewellery at Namage and Hanky Panky will continue to brighten up our underwear drawer with its fluoro hues.

Scoop exhibition interior

Chunky, slouchy jumpers, an A/W staple, featured heavily in collections. We picked up some lovely knits from Loma, luxuriously soft, the kind that you will want to throw on everyday. At Hunkydory knits were cool and oversized with a distinct rock chick edge.

A wealth of statement necklaces were exhibited, perfect to team with our chunky jumpers for dressed down chic! Cabinet’s edgy pieces stood out with their bold angular forms hinting at futuristic art deco. At Nocturne, jewel encrusted necklaces and collars served as a highlight to beautiful classic dresses.

Clock-wise from top left: Nocturne,  DL1961, Cabinet, Hanky Panky

Pret Pour Partir wowed us with its multi-tasking rabbit gilet mac! The rabbit gilet can be worn inside the mac, over the top or both pieces individually, each way looks fab. That's one hard working jacket, look out for it in A/W 13!