JJ Valaya returns to couture with 'Tabriz'

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Sep 9, 2019

JJ Valaya has returned to couture after a three year hiatus and held a runway show for his new winter/festive collection 'Tabriz' on September 7.

On Saturday, Valaya held a couture runway show for his new Tabriz couture collection and released images of the event on the brand’s social media on September 8. The collection marked the designer’s return to the world of couture after taking a break in 2016.

Valaya’s new men’s and women’s couture collection is inspired by 16th to 19th century Persia and is named after the old capital of the Persian empire. The collection is made up of three lines, each with their own theme. 'Farsh' mixes designs from Persian hunting-themed carpets with Art Deco influences; 'Naqshband' showcases opulent crafting techniques, and 'Khayyam' is inspired by Persian nomads and the brand’s own tag-line 'The Royal Nomad'. 

“I had to face a harsh reality that after 25 years, I was bored of what I was seeing and quite honestly, of what I was doing as well,” Valaya told Vogue India, about his reason for taking a break from couture.

“However, a quick hiatus, it turns out, is a wonderfully honest companion. It made me realise even more how intense my love affair with couture truly was. For me, couture is not just crafting clothing. It is a deeper emotion, an experience and a luxury; one that has the ability to alter how people feel about themselves. But it is also about being honest to oneself.”

JJ Valaya, born Jagsharanjit Singh Ahluwalia, began his fashion label in 1992. Valaya is now based in New Delhi and is a founding member of the Fashion Design Council on India.