October 2004
JJ Valaya showcases winter collection
New Delhi:
India's renowned couturier and Swarovski's brand ambassador
for India J.J.Valaya on Tuesday showcased his Fall Winter
Collection 2004-05 in the national capital New Delhi. The
collection was called "Ethnosphere", translating the realm
of style and the web of human culture around the world and
drew its inspiration from mythologies from different parts
of the world. The ensembles, that moves beyond mundane utilitarianism
and tweaks itself into its contemporary avatar, for both women
and men, flaunted the style and shimmer of couture, created
using exquisite Swarovski crystals set amidst various hand
craft techniques. The mythologies on which the collection
was based included five well thought out directions, - "Mongolia",
"The Prince of Potpourri", "LA Femme Fakir", "Shamiana" and
"From Dawn to Decadence".
The designer used
deep colours of the forest, the spices and jewel tones and
yet had shades of pastels and neutrals like taupe, ivory and
antique gold highlighted by Swarovski crystal. The collection
includes reinterpreted versions of five of JJ Valaya's favourite
collections from the couture line, all of which have been
amongst the bestsellers of the last ten years, and JJ Valaya's
best-known signature, his trousseaux collection. "I think
the entire collection has turned out to be quite interesting.
We have creatively been able to clearly divide the studio
Valaya and the JJ Valaya collections and of course our trousseau
line. It will be divided over five collections between men's
wear and women's wear. It will cover interesting amount of
colours as a pallet and of course very effective use of Sarowski
crystals," Valaya said. However, those enthralled by the show
admitted that it was very different from the decade before
and perhaps can be defined as the decade in which Indian fashion
truly found its footing. "I think the whole show was very
dramtic. It was very spectacular, it was very Moulin Rouge
if you ask me," said Neeta Puri, a writer and a visitor to
the show.
Valaya effectively
combined tradition with elements of contemporary styling for
the women's wear. He had fun with the idea of fur by bonding
it with denim; teamed up with the finest of silks and signature
embroideries treated in a modern manner. The forever-Valaya
signature embroideries, now in raffia, beads, dori, pearls
and Swarovski crystals are in sync with custom- developed
crystal transfers. With respect to silhouettes, Valaya issued
updates on the corset and the saris, tweaked and tested, and
the churidar gave way to the churi-pant. Part pure and part
posh is how the men's wear can be best described. The collection
consisted largely of slim trousers, sharp Jodhpurs, evening
shirts and the signature Valaya sherwanis. Valaya has clad
his men in a variety of easy but trendy styles and in fabrics
ranging from corduroy to developed silks. Swarovski crystal
buttons in muted tones, embroidered Jodhpur jackets and sherwanis
in sophisticated colour combinations and traditional handcrafts
also made way in Valaya's collection. With his latest interpretation
of fashion trends, Valaya set the ramp alight once again this
season, creating what he calls "reality couture," - real people,
real inspiration, real fun and real style yet tweaked with
modern styling.
Oct 20, 2004
