By Christina Baican

Ev Bessar, a Russian designer who lives in Harlem, debuted her Fall and Winter 2016 Collection in this season’s New York Fashion Week at Gotham Hall, a venue in midtown.

Bessar, who moved to New York in 2011 to study fashion at Parsons School of Design, said she wanted to convey a sense of strength and healing in her latest collection; she co-founded a charity organization called HeartED, which raises funds for children who suffer from congenital heart defects.

The designer’s latest looks, androgynous and rich in dark feathers, fur and leather, was inspired by the Firebird, a character in traditional Russian folklore known for its mysterious healing powers and blazing red hue.

Here is a visual tour of her collection’s journey from inception to runway.