A great inspiration for my collection was going to the Theatre Museum to see the actual costumes used in 'The Firebird' and 'The Rite of Spring'. These were breathtakingly beautiful and inspired me in terms of colour and embroidery. Tamara Karavina and Anna Pavlova, both ballerinas associated with Russian ballet, were also great inspirations.

Both outfits were mainly influenced by Russian architecture. The silhouette of the coat derived from the onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral, and the colour pallet and fabric choice were inspired by Sergei Diaghilev's set design for 'The Rite of Spring'. The dress mirrors the colour and elaborate decoration of the Winter Palace interior.

The costumes of the dances in the Ballets Russes were a dominant influence in my design development, and the layers adorning 'The Firebird' were a great source of inspiration. A series of prints evolved into sketches with sculptural fluidity. Russian architecture provided my inspiration for the outer garment reversing the solely decorative approach of the onion dome by combining function with aesthetics.

750 kilometers ... Mood of color... Petersburg: cold, cloudy, constrained. Moscow: bright, shouting, colourful. .... Mood of the form... Petersburg: strict, harmonous, direct. Moscow: orbicular , magnificent, expressive. 750 km: the length of a road which unites them

My inspiration derived from the tiered interior of St. Petersburg's Marisnky Theatre and the elegant opulence of 'The Firebird' ballet. In contrast to this a picture of the bitter journey to Moscow, which ends in the Red Square, with the golden dawn slowly silhouetting the onion shaped domes. The Muscovite peasant's dress has a golden thread, which also reflects this golden dawn.

If I was Chagall'I become him. As Chagall I want to transmute some motifs into symbols that stand for visual shape. I see two ballets and two cities through Chagall's eyes, and attempt to transform colour and rearrange lines and shape. Then I draw two paintings, which are now these garments.

In designing the delicately draped dress I found inspiration from details of the costumes worn in 'The Firebird', and from the Neva River flowing through St. Petersburg. For the outer garment I was inspired by the skyline of Moscow, the soft, rounded shapes of the onion dome cupolas and the tribally inspired costumes in the ballet 'Rite of spring'. The jacket has a simple construction, and the stiff fabric creates an interesting and voluminous shape.

Two contrasting elements of Russian heritage- opulence and romanticism versus traditional peasant style dress- the basis of inspiration for my garments. The hand made and recycling element was a big consideration in designing and using old fabrics was important throughout my work.

The idea of Russia as an optical illusion, as something that had vanished like a childhood memory, was a central theme of Russian verse abroad. As Georgy Ivanov put it: Russia is happiness, Russia is all light. Or perhaps Russia disappeared into the night. And on the Neve the sun does not go down, and Pushkin never died in our European town, And there is no Petersburg, no Kremlin in Moscow. Only fields and fields of snow.

Natasha's Dance. By Orlando Figes. A Cultural History of Russia.

The collection has been inspired by the traditional Ballets Russes costumes and patterns along with the unique architecture, lustre and colours of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Creating full and semi-sculptural silhouettes, the designs depict the very essence of glamour with the combination of vibrant colours, luxurious fabrics and attention to detail.

I wanted my collection to reflect what I felt were the characters of these contrasting cities. Shape and choice of fabric became key in mirroring the beautiful movements reflected in the art and dance of the people of St. Petersburg and in portraying the statuesque qualities of Moscow.

The dress was inspired by a tiny feature of an original costume from 'The Firebird', and has been designed in the form of a sarafan with voluminous sleeves inspired by a bird. The second outfit was inspired by the story of 'The Rite of Spring'. To make these two outfits work together I designed a cape in a full circle which looks like a bird spreading its wings as it lifts up its arms to fly. The colour is inspired by the Russian history centered on the Red square!

This collection is about the differences between Russia old and new. In travelling to St. Petersburg I wanted to capture a real essence of the country and, most importantly, of the people; an experience exploring the relationship between the Russia of the Ballets Russes era and the capitalist Russia of today.

"In a certain land, in a certain kingdom - as they say in old Russia - on the far side of a certain tangled wood, a garden shimmered like a green jewel." 'The Firebird', by Stravinsky

Chagall was an experimentalist who never lost touch with his peasant roots. The outer garment has an earthly landscape tone overlaid with an elaborate contrasting theatrical element. Musical lightness of touch and movement with rich but subtle golds and creams in the dress reflect the elitist French influence in the Tsarist St. Petersburg.