Day 3 of ICW: A cornucopia of culture, colour and craftsmanship
Forty-eight pieces comprising both menswear and womenswear exemplify JJ Valaya’s characteristic savoir faire
While JJ Valaya ferried us back in time, Dolly J made a case for the free-spirited bride at the ongoing India Couture Week, organised by FDCI, in association with Hindustan Times.
JJ Valaya’s fashion acumen can be judged by his knowledge of motifs and embroidery, finely entwined in his bridal and groomswear. His first virtual show, Bursa, at India Couture Week, presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) in association with Hindustan Times, was a visual narrative of the Ottoman empire, known for its ornamentation and artwork. The collection was further enriched with Turkish flora and fauna prints. The focus was on three key silhouettes that dominate grand Indian weddings — lehenga, sherwani and saree.
Presenting a one-of-its kind virtual show, JJ Valaya shared, “Bursa had always been a fascination for historians, medieval explorers and travellers, including the likes of the famed traveller Ibn Battuta who, on his visit to Bursa in 1331, was impressed by the then Sultan as he enjoyed the city with the fine bazaars and wide streets, surrounded on all sides by gardens and running springs.”
His work did transport us to that era of the Ottoman Turks. Fortyeight pieces comprising both menswear and womenswear were made out of fine silk and velvet fabric with Swarovski crystals, silk threads, beads, pearls and Zardozi beautifully sewn into the ensembles. It’s hard not to fall in love with JJ’s belted saris and elegant bandhgalas — both of which remained the key highlights of the presentation.