JJ Valaya's courtesans make a date with Dubai

Well in time for the festive season comes top Indian designer JJ Valaya’s newest show, a presentation of Indian and Arabic garments at two events in Dubai.

Inspired by the female musicians of India’s royal courts and their romantic affairs with the princes of the land, Alika, his fall/winter range of finely worked jalabiyas, kaftans saris and anarkali-churidars will be on display from October 1 to 4. The first event is a bridal show at The Address Dubai Mall on Friday and Saturday, while an exhibition of Valaya's clothes will be held at The Address Dubai Marina from 11am to 6pm on Sunday and Monday.

Expect a range of fabrics such as jersey, dupion, georgette and fine velvets, finely worked over in embroidery, appliqué or simple laser cuts, in what Valaya calls an attempt to provide a perfect blend of the past with cutting-edge contemporary chic.

Born in Jodhpur in India’s desert state of Rajasthan, army brat Jeet Singh Ahluwalia has come a fair way from his days as a chartered accountant.

In 1989, aged 22, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in fashion and enrolled in the National Institute of Fashion Technology (Nift) in Delhi. Upon graduation, the flip of a coin sealed his fate: He would launch his own label, with older brother TJ Singh looking after the business side of things.

The House of Valaya, today considered one of India’s top fashion houses, was born in 1992 with three people working out of a 150 square feet office. Today the group has several labels across the fashion and interiors sector an employs more than 250 people, working out of 40,000 sq ft head quarters in Delhi.

His clothes have been worn by various GCC royals and celebrities including Joseph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

Valaya is married with two daughters.

Private appointments can be made by emailing valaya@eim.ae.

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