Anne-Marie McAuley

With more than 20 years of global fashion retail experience behind her, Anne-Marie McAuley is the Programme Lead for Portobello Institute’s business of fashion programmes. Her background spans buying, merchandising, retail operations, and leadership, bringing a real-world perspective to the classroom and giving students direct insight into the commercial fashion industry.

Industry Experience & Career

• Over 20 years’ experience in global fashion retail, complemented by more than a decade in lecturing and training
• Specialist expertise in fashion buying and merchandising, retail operations, leadership, and training and development
• Experience working with global brands including Saks Fifth Avenue, The Body Shop, and Claire’s Accessories
• Holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and business, alongside QQI level 6 qualifications in Train the Trainer and Supervision and a Postgraduate Certificate in college teaching
• Developed Portobello’s student internship programme in partnership with industry names including Primark, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Pamela Scott, Lifestyle Sports, and Diesel
• Mentor with Enterprise Ireland and Meath Partnership, and a panellist of trainers for ETB

Anne-Marie’s Pathway in Fashion

Anne-Marie’s fashion career started in retail while she was studying in the USA, working in department stores including Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. Those early roles taught her an important lesson she has carried throughout her career: understanding your customer is key.

She later joined Saks Fifth Avenue as an assistant before progressing into junior and senior buying roles and then retail operations. Along the way, she developed extensive experience across buying, merchandising and leadership, while discovering how much she enjoyed coaching and developing people.

After returning to Ireland, Anne-Marie became Retail Operations Manager for The Body Shop Ireland. There, she worked across training and business development and developed a concession concept for pharmacies that went on to expand significantly.

Her growing interest in developing people eventually brought Anne-Marie into education. For the past ten years, she has led Portobello Institute’s business of fashion programmes – the BA (Hons) Fashion Buying & Merchandising and BA (Hons) Fashion Management.

She explains: “My career has evolved from commercial leadership into shaping future talent, combining industry expertise with education to create meaningful career pathways for students.”

Bringing the Fashion Industry into the Classroom

Anne-Marie believes fashion education should remain closely connected to the industry students are looking to build their careers in.

Her teaching is grounded in real commercial practice, integrating live case studies, current market trends, and practical projects such as range planning, buying simulations, and retail analysis.

“I also work closely with industry partners to provide guest lectures, internships, and real business challenges for students to solve,” says Anne-Marie.

“My approach is highly interactive and industry-led, with a strong emphasis on applying theory to real-life scenarios.”

Career Opportunities in Fashion

Fashion offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond the creative roles many people first associate with the industry.

Graduates can progress into buying and merchandising, product development, retail management, and visual merchandising. There are also opportunities in e-commerce, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

Anne-Marie has supported Portobello Institute business of fashion students in securing head office roles with major retailers, internships with global fashion brands, and positions in buying and merchandising.

Building Confidence Through Practical Learning

Confidence, Anne-Marie recognises, can be one of the biggest challenges students face, particularly when they are preparing to enter a competitive industry or beginning to apply their learning in professional settings.

“Many students underestimate their ability,” she explains. “Practical learning, continuous feedback, and real-world scenarios help them see what they are capable of.”

Anne-Marie describes her approach as “holistic”. She provides academic guidance alongside mentoring and career coaching, giving students structured, and one-to-one input as they develop their decision-making and professional abilities over time.

“I absolutely love what I do and genuinely embrace helping a person to develop and grow,” she says.

Advice for Future Fashion Students

Anne-Marie encourages anyone considering a career in fashion to take an active role in their own professional development.

“Be proactive, stay curious, and take every opportunity to gain experience,” she advises. “The fashion industry rewards people who are willing to work hard, think creatively, and continuously learn.

“A positive, resilient, and open mindset is also key. Students who are willing to step outside their comfort zone and embrace challenges are the ones who succeed.”

Why Portobello Institute

Portobello Institute’s strong focus on practical, career-driven education closely reflects Anne-Marie’s own approach and values.

“The focus on real-world learning, industry engagement, and student guidance sets the experience apart,” she explains.

“Students are not just learning theory – they are developing the skills, confidence, and experience they need to succeed in their careers.

Smaller class sizes also allow Anne-Marie and the wider teaching team to get to know students as individuals, balancing academic expectations with an understanding of their personal needs and wellbeing.

“I am passionate about what I do,” Anne-Marie adds with pride. “My aim is always to create an engaging and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and build meaningful careers.”

What Students Say

Stephanie Burns, a graduate of the BA (Hons) Fashion Buying & Merchandising at Portobello Institute, says: “Anne-Marie has the rare ability to make learning both interesting and enjoyable.

“Through the amazing stories of her first-hand experience in international business and her unique and fun teaching methods, she was able to inspire me in a way of wanting to be the best student that I could be.

“I was scared of going back to education after a long absence but Anne-Marie made the transition so easy. She encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, helped me recognise my strengths, and gave me the confidence that I needed to go forward and pursue my dream career in the fashion industry.”

Explore Business of Fashion at Portobello Institute

Ready to turn your interest in fashion into a professional career? Discover Portobello Institute’s BA (Hons) Fashion Buying & Merchandising and BA (Hons) Fashion Management programmes, and learn from experienced industry professionals including Anne-Marie.