iNga koValerova couture

Growing up in Russia until she was 18, Inga brings her fascination with Russian culture to the runway.

Taking few weeks to craft, Inga sculpts her designs on a mannequin. Making the textile first, on a stand she starts building from tulle and crinoline. Creating three-dimensional designs with lots of volume and shape, Inga's designs are avant-garde while retaining a sense of femininity. Her collection therefore innovatively evolves the traditional elegance of Romanov regalia, bringing a modern edge through adopting her existing knitwear techniques to other textiles.

A key aspect of her designs is the use of hand embroidery, translating the wealth and also the fall of a 300-year dynasty. Much like the intricacy of Russian Fabergé eggs, the detailed handwork that goes into creating the garments is something that Inga desires people to take notice of. 'Beautiful dresses are not just created, they are sculpted, like a piece of art,' Inga says.

Her collection as moving artwork is visualised through its sophisticated complexity and the sculptural volume of the material.

The fusion between design and art is perhaps inspired by her childhood. Raised by her grandmother who was, in Inga's words, a 'skilful lady' Inga grew up surrounded by culture and talent. Her great great grandfather being a dressmaker and her grandmother skilled in stitch and crochet, Inga was taught how to make garments from a young age. Taken to artists' studios who worked on classical paintings, Inga learnt to draw various textiles, sketching with an assortment of colour. Moving to Ireland at 19 then London in 2009, Inga decided to achieve a degree in fashion at the University of West London, finishing her masters at the Glasgow School of Art.