A Chester fashion graduate has been hailed as a rising star after her art gallery runway show.

University of Chester alumna Alexandra Novacki took a significant step towards her ambition of creating a major fashion house in the north, after her runway show at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

The show, held on October 5, highlighted her brand’s eagerly awaited 2024 Couture Runway collection to more than 200 guests.

The fashion design graduate has since received a huge response, with attendees describing the event as "a show that was nothing short of absolute excellence."

Others said it was "a deeply emotional experience.

"The audience cried with the models and northern fashion spoke louder than ever before."

In attendance were notable figures including actors, brand directors, journalists and designers, all of whom showered praise on Alexandra, her collection and the event.

The runway was not only a display of fashion but also a platform for artistic performance.

The show was a hit with the audience (Image: Amelia Gale-Hasleham and Sarah Scott) The models were accompanied by live music from artist Elle Graham and pianist Bobby Locke, and featured prosthetic tears, hair artistry and handmade jewellery that brought the collection to life.

Ms Novacki said: "I am still speechless with the response to this show after spending so long building the collection away from the public eye.

"I exposed a piece of my heart in this collection, and I can feel that the audience felt that.

"Seeing people so emotional with fashion is what I aim to do.

"Runway should be personal."

In light of the success of her latest collection, Alexandra is committed to establishing the north of England’s first major fashion house.

The collection furthers the theme of Alexandra’s pre-collection released earlier this year which took inspiration from the natural beauty, rich colours and dramatic views she was surrounded by during her upbringing in the Derbyshire Peaks.

The brand produces bespoke made-to-measure garments alongside runway and annual events and aims to step into the red-carpet scene, leading the way in 2025 alongside the release of a ready-to-wear collection.

Graduating from the University of Chester in 2023, her debut haute couture collection, Furious Creatures, was unveiled at Chester Cathedral last year.

She was nominated for the title of Emerging British Womenswear Designer at the 2022 Northern Fashion Week, and has designed and crafted looks for the Cannes Film Festival, as well as working with celebrities including James Martin to create one-off garments.

Designer Alexandra Novacki (Image: Amelia Gale-Hasleham and Sarah Scott) Her work has been displayed on Bond Street and featured in publications including Swanky Magazine and Schön! Switzerland.

In March, Alexandra also hosted an Industry Evening of Couture in Chester, where she brought together northern talent, from designers, to stylists, right through to experts in hair, make-up and modelling.

The networking evening offered the chance for the northern fashion scene to step out from behind the runway and celebrate their work together.

More information is available by emailing info@alexandranovacki.com, or visiting her website and her official Instagram page: @alexnovacki.