The ramp turned into a durbar for J.J. Valaya’s show at the Delhi Couture Week. The designer aimed to bring the Turkish empire alive with grand props, a regal setting and a heavy dose of embroidery, delicate motifs in metal work, zardozi, badla and semi-precious stone on his garments.
His show on the opening day of DCW Wednesday night saw a crystal chandelier adding to the grandeur of the entire set-up for the collection titled The Azark.
“My collection has been inspired by Turkish empire,” Valaya said.
The line was reminiscent of his last showcase at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), and he made no bones about it.
“I have taken the same inspiration that I showcased at the grand finale for WIFW last season, but this time it’s a couture version. ‘Azrak’ in Turkish means rare and uncommon, and that is what my collection is all about,” he added.
From saris, achkans, lehangas to anarkalis — there was everything that a woman could ask for. Even the menswear had some interesting designs in the form of sherwanis and jodhpuris. A high-point of the collection was an innovative mix of belts and jackets on saris.
Embroidery played a vital role in Valaya’s collection and represented the design aesthetics of the Ottoman empire. Fabrics such as silk, dupion, jacquard, georgette and lush velvet looked elegant on the garments, in shades of ivory, red and green.
Among the guests for the show were designers such as Anju Modi and Rohit Bal, apart from some of Valaya’s family members.
Valaya opted for an off-site show, away from the main venue of the five-day DCW, to mark the launch of his new initiative, JJ Valaya Luxury Weddings.
“The purpose of doing an off-site show is to mark the launch of JJ Valaya Luxury Weddings, where one will experience the grandeur of the bespoke wedding concepts and my trousseaux all under one roof,” he said.
