This is the story of how i got an order from the V&A to be stocked in their new museum opening in April 2026.
It was before christmas i received an email from a buyer, they had discovered my brand goodordering on social media. I think specifically it was my Goodordering instagram account. I had posted some smaller paracord keyrings and phone straps that i had made alongside the usual cycling bags i sell.
I was very excited but also cautious, i had similar emails in the past that didn’t really amount to anything.
A few emails went back and forth and i made a small presentation showing the items that i had made and the prices of them. I also told her a bit more about myself and my brand Goodordering. The buyer needed to present my brand (and in a way me) to the team at her work.
I was hoping that alongside the charms and keyrings, they would also be up for trying some bags. I didn't say which ones i had more of in stock, i was keen to see what she thought would be a good match for the V&A shop without me influencing her. It turned out that they liked this tartan rolltop backpack. Which i was chuffed that they wanted to order some of these as i absolutely love this bag but it definitely has not been as popular as some of the other (more boring) styles that i have designed.
Overall, the buyer that "discovered" Goodordering and introduced me to her team seemed to really be on my side and was excellent with communication. They ended up sending me a PO in January 2026 as an initial order. The quantities were decent, especially for the smaller items.
I did a lot of work on the packaging options. The packaging had to protect the contents but also not be too over the top, an important consideration for people who are more sustainable-minded. (as we all should be).
I used a couple of different packets for the packaging. but all of the items feature my sticker - Hand made in hackney. i thought it was important to emphasise the brands heritage, being a local brand to the new V&A museum opening in East London.
It was very nice of my wife Mia who helped me with packaging up all the items ready to send off to the museum in time for the opening.
V&A East, which is due to open to the public on Saturday, April 18 2026. Opening just shy of a decade after it was first announced as part of the £1.1 billion development of Stratford’s East Bank cultural quarter, the 7,000 square metre museum will bring together exhibits that speak to both east London’s creative heritage and the voices that are shaping contemporary culture across the globe today.
I am very excited about visiting the museum in april 2026 and seeing my products in the gift shop, it really is a dream come true.
