Tethered Everywhere

Adapting to plurality has always come effortlessly to JJ Valaya, the pioneering couturier who is now playing in Hollywood's big leagues

- NIDA NAEEM

Framed between two cloister columns with F stone carvings at the Qutub Complex, JJ Valaya had a redux of sorts: Back in 2015, the luminary of Indian couture was the one behind the lens, photographing artist Subodh Gupta dressed as a maharaja at this very location. Decoded Paradox, Valaya's exhibition of large-scale photographs, showed royal subjects juxtaposed against present-day Delhi. His fine art photography practice harbours a deep connection with his designs. "I began to slowly realise that my art and photography lies to a large extent in my love for portraiture, architecture and travel," he says.

Over the past three decades, Valaya has fine-tuned his sundry passions to create a design dynasty that might as well be one-of-its-kind. Alongside bridal couture, RTW and bridge-to-luxury collections, Valaya Home, which offers luxe furnishings and decor, has been a part of the repertoire since 1996.

House of Valaya is not just a brand; it's literally his home, built with his brother TJ. Serendipity has always been on their side. Aside from complementary skill sets, it was a sign that they were both born on the eighth of October, but eight years apart.