Royal Nomad

A pioneer of design who took a break from the fashion scene, bounces back, in all his glory as the rightful King of Couture.

- Chitman Kanwar Ahuja

Born Jagsharanjit Singh Ahluwalia, the name was shortened to JJ Valaya to define the journey of a chartered accountant who went on to become the couturier behind the Valaya fashion label. Having been brought up in an army background, the designer was always awestruck by the grand lifestyle that the officers beheld. From the gallant march pasts to the welfare workshops taken by his mother for all the wives of the jawans; these childhood experiences acted as major influences that pushed his creative streak.

Having spent almost three decades in the Indian fashion industry, the designer is a treasure trove of fashion trivia and an inspiration who made a major comeback on the runway. Today his empire boasts of labels such as, House of Valaya, JJ Valaya Muse, JJ Valaya, Valaya Quantum, Valaya Base, Valaya Home and The Home of the Traveler.

Growing years

“Army kids are bought up differently. I changed six schools because my father got posted every three years. We grew up in a different kind of environment, where we learnt how to let go of old friends and make new ones, we knew how to adapt to new homes, we knew how to shift in a minute; we would just pack and move. My mother was an avid kidswear designer and her forte was party dresses for girls. Within that, her forte was embroideries. She used to do smocking, French knots, shadow work and all the kinds of things that people don’t hear much about nowadays, but were popular back then,” says JJ.

He further adds, “I was constantly exposed to craft, colour, embroidery and the beauty of this country. I used to paint and was the best artist in school for years. And, that one decision worked out beautifully for me...”

Emergence and rule