Jaipur, Feb 9 Designer J J Valaya, known for his royal collections that redefine luxury and craftsmanship in traditional wear, says he always aims to create something that celebrates India.
Valaya established his brand in 1992, and since then, it has become synonymous with Indian luxury fashion.
The designer presented his latest collection “The Valaya Man” at the finale of the 4th edition of India Men’s Weekend 2026. The event was organized by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the House of Glenfiddich, which ended on Sunday.
He told PTI that the idea behind the collection was to create something that is “wonderfully regal, elegant, and authoritative,” while celebrating Indian craftsmanship. “Our entire focus is on celebrating Indian handicrafts, textiles, and heritage.”
“We are the royal nomads. That’s a principle that has been followed for 33 years. This is our 34th year, and I believe in it,” he said.
The designer said it’s not uncommon for him to be showcasing at an event, especially one focused on menswear, as he has been creating outfits for men for years. He also noted that it significantly contributes to his business revenue.
“For me, it’s not uncommon because in all my couture shows, wherever I do them, I always have a large section dedicated to menswear,” he said.
“Also, from a business perspective, it contributes significantly to a large segment of our revenue. So, for me, menswear is just as important as womenswear. In fact, I enjoy playing with two completely different ideologies, but yet woven together with a common thread, which is our aesthetic,” he added.
His latest collection featured formal suits, bandhgals, sherwanis, and floral lehengas paired with belts, velvet suits, and saris, all incorporating geometrical shapes.
Asked if the constant flow of fashion content on social media makes it challenging to create something distinctive, Valaya said that as a designer, his only competition is with himself.
“You have to remember that you have been around since the inception of Indian fashion. Then you created a brand that is respected, revered, and trusted more than anything else… After a while, a designer has to compete with himself, to create something even better than what he did last year. And that’s really what I focus on primarily, just trying to make sure that whatever I do, is something that excites me and therefore excites the audience,” he added.
He also praised Indian designers for taking over the global stage.
“Indian designers are brilliant and are now making inroads into international markets. We have an amazing pool of talent in the country. I am so glad that some of them are branching internationally, so more power to them,” he concluded.
FDCI’s India Men’s Weekend featured showcases by leading designers including Abraham and Thakore, Rajesh Pratap Singh, and Ujjwal Dubey’s Antar-Agni, among others.
Valaya established his brand in 1992, and since then, it has become synonymous with Indian luxury fashion.
The designer presented his latest collection “The Valaya Man” at the finale of the 4th edition of India Men’s Weekend 2026. The event was organized by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the House of Glenfiddich, which ended on Sunday.
He told PTI that the idea behind the collection was to create something that is “wonderfully regal, elegant, and authoritative,” while celebrating Indian craftsmanship. “Our entire focus is on celebrating Indian handicrafts, textiles, and heritage.”
“We are the royal nomads. That’s a principle that has been followed for 33 years. This is our 34th year, and I believe in it,” he said.
The designer said it’s not uncommon for him to be showcasing at an event, especially one focused on menswear, as he has been creating outfits for men for years. He also noted that it significantly contributes to his business revenue.
“For me, it’s not uncommon because in all my couture shows, wherever I do them, I always have a large section dedicated to menswear,” he said.
“Also, from a business perspective, it contributes significantly to a large segment of our revenue. So, for me, menswear is just as important as womenswear. In fact, I enjoy playing with two completely different ideologies, but yet woven together with a common thread, which is our aesthetic,” he added.
His latest collection featured formal suits, bandhgals, sherwanis, and floral lehengas paired with belts, velvet suits, and saris, all incorporating geometrical shapes.
Asked if the constant flow of fashion content on social media makes it challenging to create something distinctive, Valaya said that as a designer, his only competition is with himself.
“You have to remember that you have been around since the inception of Indian fashion. Then you created a brand that is respected, revered, and trusted more than anything else… After a while, a designer has to compete with himself, to create something even better than what he did last year. And that’s really what I focus on primarily, just trying to make sure that whatever I do, is something that excites me and therefore excites the audience,” he added.
He also praised Indian designers for taking over the global stage.
“Indian designers are brilliant and are now making inroads into international markets. We have an amazing pool of talent in the country. I am so glad that some of them are branching internationally, so more power to them,” he concluded.
FDCI’s India Men’s Weekend featured showcases by leading designers including Abraham and Thakore, Rajesh Pratap Singh, and Ujjwal Dubey’s Antar-Agni, among others.
