WE'RE A PASSIONATE CLOTHING MANUFACTURER

1. A City of Tradition
As we say in Ukraine: life is like an embroidered cloth—each stitch tells a story. I am Anna Kharitonova, and this is my story—a tale of how a small, dedicated workshop in Poltava grew to become one of the most respected boutique manufacturers for luxury fashion brands.
My story begins in Poltava, a city with a rich textile tradition. In our apartment in the historic center, where echoes of centuries-old craftsmanship resonate through the streets, my babusya (grandmother) Nadiya taught me the secrets of our craft. Poltava is renowned for its traditional embroidery, and this heritage was present in every lesson she gave me.
2. The Choice of Poltava
Choosing Poltava as the home for my workshop wasn’t a coincidence. The city has a long history in textile production, and local craftspeople are known for their refined handwork techniques. Here, among historic buildings and the peaceful atmosphere of the province, I found the perfect place to blend quality and tradition.
3. A Different Path
After graduating from the Kiev Institute of Design and Technology, I returned to Poltava and worked briefly in several local workshops. What I saw troubled me—quality sacrificed for speed, craftsmanship giving way to quantity. I knew there had to be a different path.
4. The Birth of a Workshop
In 2004, with my grandmother’s blessing and a family loan, I opened my first workshop. It was modest—just two sewing machines and a cutting table—but it was mine. Every morning, I would arrive before sunrise, warming the space with our samovar, preparing for another day of pursuing perfection.
5. Masters of the Craft
My vision was different from the start. While others chased volume, I focused on perfection. I began with three skilled seamstresses, each chosen for their exceptional attention to detail. As our reputation grew, I carefully selected more artisans, never allowing our team to exceed fifteen people. This wasn’t just a business decision—it was a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality control.
Each member of our small team is more than an employee—they are artists in their own right. Natalia, my first hire, can tell the quality of silk just by touch. Maria’s buttonholes are so precise they’ve become our signature. Olena’s eye for pattern matching is unmatched in all of Poltava.
6. A Breakthrough in Luxury
Our breakthrough came when a French luxury house discovered our work. They were surprised to find such a high-quality workshop in Poltava, away from the well-known fashion cities. But this location proved to be our strength—here we could work in tranquility towards perfection, away from the hectic pace of big cities. The serenity of Poltava was reflected in the precision of our work.
When their quality inspector visited, he spent hours examining our work. “This isn’t manufacturing,” he said, “this is art.”
7. Resilience in Wartime
When the war began in February 2022, everything changed, even in our relatively peaceful Poltava. Some team members had to flee, but seven of us remained. We moved our machines to a safer location, finding shelter in the historic cellars of an old Poltava building. Our small size became our strength—we could adapt quickly, move when needed, and keep supporting each other.
Our international clients stood by us, understanding that each garment now took longer to complete but maintained the same extraordinary quality. They didn’t just want our craftsmanship—they wanted to support our resilience.
8. A Future Stitched with Hope
Today, our small team continues to create beauty from Poltava amid chaos. Our workshop may be modest in size, but our dedication to quality remains immense. Each of our fifteen craftspeople represents not only the finest traditions of Ukrainian workmanship but also the specific expertise that has characterized Poltava for generations.
The future I see is one where “Made in Poltava” becomes synonymous with the highest quality—representing not just our craftsmanship, but the unbreakable spirit of our city and our people. As my grandmother always said, “A perfect seam takes time, but lasts forever.”
- Anna Kharitonova
Poltava, 2024