Three years on from arriving in the UK, refugee Yana Smaglo is taking her new fashion company 'Nenya' to BBC's Dragons' Den.
Since losing everything in the war, from her livelihood and business, Yana arrived in the UK with just a backpack and her laptop.
With support from Yorkshire businesses, and meaning ‘motherland’, the fashion company ‘Nenya’ launched.
Supporting fashion companies back in Ukraine, Nenya now showcases Ukrainian fashion across the world, selling in over 120 countries and now has a turnover of £120,000.
The clothing which is both stylish, practical and eye catching is definitely catching people’s attention, and finding a great place in the marketplace across eight continents.
Yana said:
“I have been incredibly lucky with the support for my new company over the last couple of years, and I am extremely proud of everything my team in Yorkshire have helped me to achieve.
“I still have even bigger dreams for Nenya, and having created a livelihood for myself, would like to employ other refugees to give them the same support and encouragement that I have benefited from."
The show will air on Thursday (23rd January) at 8pm, and Yana is accompanied and still supported by two of the original team who helped her set the company up.
Among the team will be Claire Strachan - a Harrogate resident who offered to take on the role of Yana's PR Manager for free.
Claire will be modelling the clothes on the show, which was filmed in June last year.
Yana added:
“I have struggled gaining additional investment for my company as a result of the visa situation for refugees, so when I was asked to consider applying to go on the show after winning one of the 42Under42 in Yorkshire Business Insider magazine, it felt like another amazing opportunity.
“It was an incredible experience doing Dragon’s Den and we had a brilliant time, I can’t wait to see it on the television next week.
“It was fascinating meeting other applicants and a real atmosphere of entrepreneurialism throughout the filming.
“Actually going through the grilling from the Dragon’s is an experience like no other!”
PR Manager Claire Strachan said:
“This is the next stage in Yana’s journey and the Yorkshire press have also supported her throughout to get to this point.
“We are very excited to be showcasing Nenya on national television and look forward to the reaction to Yana’s significant achievements.
“To go from arriving in the UK with nothing, to where she is now, Yana is truly a credit to her country, and her support for those still there is remarkable.”
The spring range from Yana’s new selection of stylish designer Luxe leisure clothing range can be found on her website.
This includes a range of pretty pastel and softly muted, trousers and tops, with many knitted high-quality garments suitable for most age ranges.
Project leader Antonia Kinlan said:
“We are so proud of how far Nenya has come, and the determination and resilience shown by Yana is so inspiring.
“Having pulled together Yorkshire businesses to help to support Yana and launch the company, we had an amazing team creating her branding, PR, legal support, and business connections – all free of charge, purely to help Yana get on her feet.
“Combining Ukrainian fashion with true Yorkshire grit, we are proud of everything the team has achieved, and can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring.”
Find out more online here: https://www.nenya.online/
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