Lenin once admitted as silk fabric (5)
I believe the answer is:
ninon
'silk fabric' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'lenin once admitted' is the wordplay.
'admitted' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NINON' is hidden in the letters of 'lenin once'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for ninon that I've seen before include "thin fabric" , "Lightweight silk fabric" , "delicate material" , "Silk voile" , "Fine, strong, silky fabric" .)