Meet: Good Fabric

Polina spent over a decade working in the Fashion industry after graduating from London College of Fashion, UAL at brands such as Burberry and Anya Hindmarch.

When she was made redundant during the first lockdown, it provided Polina a chance to reassess her priorities. This led to setting up Good Fabric, an online fabric store where you don’t have to make the choice between beautiful, colourful or sustainable fabric. All the fabrics stocked have at least one eco-credential.

She spoke to us about Good Fabric and her time at LCF.

Since graduating you’ve worked for some of the biggest names in fashion in Production/Product Development. Can you tell us more about your career?

After graduation, I remember as it was yesterday, I had 11 interviews and I was struggling to get a job until Anya Hindmarch called me and offered me a job as an office manager. I loved the brand and really enjoyed my interview with them, and this was probably my best career decision ever. Two months later I was promoted and was offered a job as junior production manager and I’ve been in production and product development for 12 years.

I’ve been incredible lucky in my career, as I had amazing mentors or managers that taught me so much. I also had very bad managers, but I’m glad I had those in my career too. It taught me more about leadership, work dynamics as well as teaching me to stand up for myself in a work environment and in general, made me confident in my own skills.

In 2020 you started your own company, Good Fabric. What inspired the career change? What’s your experience of starting your own company been like?

I have been made redundant during first lockdown in 2020 which was a blessing in disguise. I was struggling to balance work and motherhood, so having been furloughed for couple of months gave me time to breathe, think, recharge, get excited about the next chapter of my life.

I wanted to use all my skills and knowledge in the industry and yet be present for all the important moments of my daughter life, so being my own boss was the obvious answer.

I love every moment of running my own business, even when I work till 11pm or weekends, but it doesn’t feel like work. The saying ‘do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life’ definitely resonates with me.

One thing I’ll note is that running your own business can be lonely, sometimes you just need another professional opinion or ability to talk through your ideas out loud. Your family and friends mean well, but I really needed a professional opinion rather than friendly one. This is the time where the little black book of contacts has been very helpful.

You finished your BA (Hons) Fashion Management at LCF in 2011. What was your time at LCF like? What were some of the highlights?

It was hectic, in a good kind of way.

Whilst studying I had a part-time job as well as internships all throughout my 3 years at LCF. It wasn’t a must by any means, but I was determined to get as much experience in the industry as possible before graduating, after all one of the amazing benefits of being an LCF student, is that it opens door to internships and placements.

So yes, I was very busy with studying, working and being 20-year-old and enjoying London life.