In this episode of The Talk – by Mentorguru, we meet a woman who hasn’t just designed clothes — she’s redesigned her entire life. Pia Paulsen, also known as Pia Fab, has transitioned from being a successful force in the commercial fashion industry to a trailblazer for sustainability, awareness, and radical personal responsibility.
This isn’t just a story about a career shift — it’s a powerful testimony to what happens when you dare to listen to your inner voice, take full ownership of your life, and carve out your own path.
A Creator With a Conscience
Pia studied at the French fashion school Esmod and launched her own studio — POLYESTER — before she had any real experience in the industry. As she puts it: “What could possibly go wrong?” The answer: everything. But that was also the start of a crucial journey.
Eventually, she found herself in the fast fashion machine, where the pace and pressure to produce stood in stark contrast to her values. One thing especially gnawed at her: copying others’ creative work, and the widespread greenwashing she saw in the industry. As her awareness grew, so did her need to break free.
Jumping Off the Hamster Wheel
Pia had climbed to the top as Head of Design, but meaning was missing. She jumped — without a backup plan.
After a period of deep reflection, further studies in sustainability, and hands-on work in textile sorting with Fretex, she found herself returning to a place where she could truly make a difference: the classroom.
Teacher and Mentor – On the Other Side of the Desk
Today, Pia teaches at Esmod — the very school where her journey began. She mentors final-year students, helping them not only with design skills, but also to find their voice, their inner drive, their creative soul.
“It’s not about shouting the loudest or being the weirdest. It’s about finding your own engine — when you do, you always know the answers, and you’ll always be able to shift gears when things get tough.”
She also teaches sustainability — not as a trend, but as a baseline for the future of fashion.
Confashion – Fashion With Purpose
Pia hasn’t stopped creating. She recently launched Confashion.no — a curated marketplace for Norwegian designers working with redesign and sustainable fashion. The goal? To make conscious fashion both visible and profitable.
“It’s not enough to have a great product without great distribution. Confashion is the missing link.”
She challenges an industry that produces over 100 billion garments annually — enough to give every person on Earth 12 new items a year.
“We could clothe the entire global population for the next 50 years without producing a single new item — if we just took better care of what we already have.”
Taking 100% Responsibility – and Borrowing Belief When You Need It
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation is about ownership — the honest, raw kind of ownership we all need to take.
“I am my only problem — and I am also the only solution.”
When you take radical responsibility, you stop blaming your boss, your upbringing, or society. You start building. But Pia is also honest about what that process feels like — and how important support is along the way.
“I’ve had coaches and mentors who gave me brutally honest feedback. And sometimes, when I didn’t believe in myself, I borrowed their belief in me. That’s one of the greatest gifts a mentor can offer.”
A truth that hits deep for anyone working in growth, coaching or education.
So How Do You Actually Take Back Control?
We asked Pia what advice she’d give to someone feeling stuck:
“Follow the joy. That’s where your direction is.”
She speaks about slowing down to reconnect with yourself, using journaling and meditation as tools to hear your inner guidance. Then? Set a goal. A big one. One you don’t know how to reach — yet. Because just starting the journey will get you moving again.
Pia’s Top Three Steps to Reclaim Your Life:
- Slow down. You can’t feel anything if you’re always rushing.
- Turn inward. The answer isn’t out there — it’s within you.
- Set a joyful, daring goal. Even if it feels impossible, start walking.
The Bottom Line – Be You, Not Perfect
If Pia could tell her younger self one thing?
“You don’t have to be perfect. Be Pia — that’s interesting and unique. Authenticity is the most attractive and meaningful thing there is!”
