Rita Mylett has no qualms when it comes to posing for before and after pictures wearing ATIR Shapewear.

“If I didn’t do it, who is going to do it?” she says matter-of-factly.

“It’s not the most flattering thing to have to do, but it’s just to show people that it works.”

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And while her sophisticated control-slips and bodysuits have fans that include Off The Rails presenter Sonya Lennon and RTÉ’s Maura Derrane, the softly-spoken Mayo mother-of-two really is the best ambassador for her own brand, which she started with just €1,500 when a stroke made her reassess her priorities.

“Things happen in life that drive you forward,” she says thoughtfully, “and push you out there to meet your challenges.”

Firm Foundations

Originally from a dairy farm, Rita lives outside Castlebar with her husband Pádraig and children Nicholina (18) and Pádraig (21).

Before taking on the likes of Spanx and Trinny and Susannah, she worked in microbiology and finance before moving into human resources. But in 2003 she suffered a minor stroke.

“I got my right side back quickly but I was left with quite a drag on my left for a few months. Because I was left-handed, I really struggled with writing,” she explains.

“I also really struggled with three-syllable words. I’d be halfway through something and then I’d have to say: ‘What can I say instead of that word?’

“But I was one of the lucky ones. I got to go back to work, I got to live my life and I got to see my children growing up.”

Indeed, the stroke actually served as the impetus for Rita to pursue a long-held dream. Having always had an interest in fashion and design, Rita returned to college and set up RMI Branding, where part of her work involved style-coaching for women.

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A common request was what foundation or shapewear could camouflage common problem areas, such as the dreaded “muffin top”.

“I used to always swear by one particular brand,” says Rita. “But I remember one occasion where a woman said to me: ‘I get that but it just ends up rolling, so I end up with two tummies instead of one.’

“I said to myself: ‘Well, you can’t recommend something if you don’t have the solution.’ And then one night I was just lying in bed and I had one of these lightbulb moments and said: ‘Sure if you just added straps to that.’”

Rita sketched a basic design for a control slip that would sit comfortably under the bust, and looked for a way to make her idea a reality. When a South American acquaintance mentioned that her sister made lingerie in Brazil, Rita invested €1,500 of her savings in working with her to come up with a prototype, with particular emphasis on a nylon-free fabric with a mix of elastane and polyethene (used in the scalp of wigs for comfort and breathability) to resolve the rolling issue, placing an initial order of just 20 pieces, which she sold to family and friends.

“They had to pay the full price because I couldn’t afford to give it away,” says Rita, “And that gave me a little bit of profit for my next order.”

And that’s exactly how ATIR (Rita spelled backwards) grew, especially after the banks gave her short shrift.

“They actually said: ‘If you think it’s such a great idea, spend your own money on it,” she recalls. “I never went back to the banks after that. Everything we did, I waited until I had the finances for it.”

Shaping Up

One of her first breaks came at a Network Mayo meeting, where a boutique owner offered to stock ATIR Shapewear to test the market. In 2009, an award for best new business in Mayo led to a Network Ireland RSVP national title, while a slot on TV3’s Xposé prompted clothing chain Wallis to stock her products.

But to manage future growth, Rita had to move production from Brazil to Ireland. To stretch her budget, she got a sewing machine adapted to meet her needs and, before setting up a dedicated workshop, she worked from “the good room” of the family home. She currently employs four full-time staff, plus one part-time worker between Galway and Mayo.

The ATIR collection now includes slips and body suits in sizes XS to XXL, ranging from lightweight and medium to firm control. Features include double support panels that can be worn to the front or back and interchangeable straps. And while Rita acknowledges the price range of €65 to €75 might seem steep, she believes it is an investment.

“If you have somebody who is going out in a sales role or representing a company, the way they present themselves makes a difference,” she says, as an example.

“So there is no point having the most amazing dress or the most fabulous suit, and the tummy is out. It’s about highlighting the good parts and camouflaging the not-so-good, which we all have.”

ATIR currently supplies 16 independently-owned Wallis stores, as well as 74 boutiques nationwide. Since August, it also supplies a store in Britain and the Channel Islands. ATIR products can also be bought online, with LEADER funding 50% of the website set-up. But despite the rapid growth, Rita remains resolutely hands-on.

“I wouldn’t think twice about taking 50 pieces and running them up on the machine, or adding the lace and making the straps,” she says, adding that her friends and family have been hugely supportive, with her son helping with deliveries, her daughter modelling and her husband on everything in between.

“Even if it means doing the cutting, he will do it,” she says.

Looking back, Rita believes that before the stroke she would never have had the courage to start ATIR. She hopes her story might inspire others to shape their own future and prove it’s what’s underneath that counts.

“No matter what age you are,” she says, “it’s never too late to follow a dream.”