Starting with a black and white collection and then moving into sepia tones, followed by hand stained naturals and into a digital story; Valaya’s very regal line of garments was a study in crafts, fabrics and embellishments. Assorted white squares covered the walls of the Grand Hyatt Ballroom to project the images by J J Valaya, the designer - now also an acclaimed photographer. The backdrop on the stage was a collection of camera lenses and the show a very controlled and tightly designed revealed Valaya’s expertise as a designer and a visualiser of extreme crafts and embellishments.
Opening with the black and white section there was a mix of men’s and women’s creations – mandarin collar waist coat with white motifs, long gowns with tiny embroidered boleros or bodice and paneled sheer kurta and black churidars. The Sepia line had delicate brown and off-white work for printed saris with crystal work, extended sleeve kurtas, lehengas and cholis with net dupattas and paisleys embroidered skillfully for men’s Raja coats.
For the colour and digital segment, Valaya started with ravishing red for paneled long coats, velvet embroidered jackets with saris, bandgalas and lehengas with embellished yokes and then added digitally printed saris in royal blue and black dappled with rich crystals, stones and sequins finishing with a stunning floor length halter kurta in ink blue.
Bringing in his very popular Alika jacket, Valaya presented it with saris, lehengas and tunics. The lush saris in lamé studded with precious stones and crystals were visions of beauty in black and white digital prints. Gorgeous lehengas with velvet godets, gleaming crystals, encrusted embroidery and gold detailing appeared on specially woven fabrics. The silhouettes were a fusion of the traditional and contemporary as tiered creations were layered and flowing Farshiyas gave a royal touch to the garments.
The showman that Valaya is, he kept the most awesome for the last as he unleashed a final fashion blitz of dazzling lehengas with a mindboggling assortment of different versions of the Alika jacket in raw silk, shot silk, brocade and lamé all unbelievably beautiful to view. Accessories revolved around the very slim belts with pouches that appeared around waists, hips or on the bodice with saris and tunics. A very innovative take on bags indeed! For ultimate grandeur and opulent creations it is J J Valaya’s “Tasveer†collection presented by Aircel that women will undoubtedly long for not only this season, but for years to come.
