Yana Smalgo: 15 Mins To Flee Ukraine, Finding Hope in The U.K. & Building Back With Fashion

The Capsule in Conversation

In this weeks very special episode Natalie is joined by Ukrainian fashion designer Yana Smaglo to discuss the realities of Russias invasion of Ukraine, a hopeful journey to the U.K. and returning to her career in fashion to support her homeland, her fellow Ukrainians living in Britain and the British economy. During the episode Natalie hears how Yana was given 15 mins to make a life changing decision and leave her apartment in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv as Russian military forces began a three pronged attack on cities across the country. Yana goes into detail about her tumultuous journey to the UK, including a three week stay in Poland with nothing but a small bag and her passport and how the kindness of strangers helped her finally make her way to friends in the U.K. Yana recalls the moment she realised the successful career and business she had built for herself in Ukraine no longer existed and how she had to find a way of returning to work and fashion whilst residing in the U.K. She tells of how she used all of her skills to develop online fashion brand ‘Nenya’ that would support Ukrainian designers by importing their pieces to sell to the U.K. market, meaning she could contribute to both the economy in Ukraine and in Britain. Listen in for a truly inspiring conversation filled with bravery, passion and determination. Please visit https://www.nenya.online to support Yana and her new enterprise.