Binder1 Inner_JRD

in style
He surprises you with his jovial and
witty personality. Meet JJ Valaya, a
man who needs no introduction in
the fashion world. With over two
decades of impeccable designs and couture, JJ
Valaya is excited about entering the big 50 and
looking forward to creating more and more
interesting designs.
JJ Valaya’s couture collections have always been
elaborate and definitive. On his design process he
shares, “Every designer has an ethos, which they
run through everything they do. This
makes me wonder, have I complicated
my life too much? I keep things
simple. My quest has always been
to find simplicity in maximalism.
It's not easy and brings upon many
challenges. However, I don't see
life in any other way. I don't think
I will ever be able
to do clean lines
in interiors. This is
what makes each
designer unique.
You have to be
yourself. You are
silly if your try and
be everyone.”
He believes is no rule book. Rules bind you.
And, boundaries and creativity normally don't
work. He believes more in individuality, whether
it is a person or a space. “A person has a personality
and so does a space. Every space is not the same.
You have to look and sense the need. We are
more like psychologists. We try and understand
people and what they want. We try and give them
something that will change them positively. I
have seen people wear certain clothes and see
a difference in the way they walk and talk and
come across, because they are feeling good about
themselves.” The same thing is at home, if you love
the space you are in, your entire attitude changes.
Indian design and couturier
JJ Valaya speaks to Crème on
entering phase two of his creative
evolution and why he doesn’t
believe in praising his work
It is not about what is in trend or about latest
designs or where you bought it from? It is more
about what the garment or space does to you from
a deeper level. That kinds of defines it.
His fashion brand has been around for two
decades and has managed to create an impact.
What keeps him up and going to achieve and
deliver more? “Oh, I have just begun. I am in the
last year of my 40s and will turn 50 next year. But
my creative and energy levels are maybe higher
than when I joined National Institute of Fashion
Technology (NIFT). This also means
i am all set to get into phase two of
my creative evolution. I am looking
forward to it because everything
that could possibly go right or
wrong has happened. I have learnt
my lessons and reached where I had
to in terms of recall. Now the journey
is mine.” His piece
of advice for soonto-be
brides is to
stand in front of
the mirror and
be honest. Don’t
blindly follow
trends because your
best friend or worst
enemy was wearing something. This doesn’t work
anymore. If your instincts say yes, then go for it.
You will know what looks best on your, not your
aunt or mother or best friend.
To sum it up he shares what sets his label
apart from the rest? “We are in a visual medium
and any designer who is raving and ranting on
how he is so unique is an idiot. I have the biggest
library but don’t read a single book. I just look at
books. I take it in visually. Fashion, art, interiors
and photography should be judged by people who
wear, buy or look at it. They should make opinions,
we shouldn’t.” g
info@crememagazine.in
50 march 2017 www.crememagazine.in