JJ Valaya

[1][2][3] Born Jagsharanjit Singh Ahluwalia on 8 October 1967 in the state of Rajasthan in India, Valaya spent most of his childhood traveling to different parts of the country due to his father's various postings in the Indian Army.

In this collection, the storyteller in him found expression through which he narrated the story of the female musicians of India's royal courts and their romantic affairs with the princes of the land.

His creations had juxtaposed elements of minimalism and grandeur, Western and Indian silhouettes, traditional motifs and modern drapes & feminine form.

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut was dressed in a pristine white gown teamed with traditional Indian jewellery and a rich brocade Maharaja coat.

Other elements on the ramp were faces such as Suneet Verma, Rohit Bal, Navtej Johar, Jamie Stewart, Sumant Jayakrishnan and Navin Ansal, who were among twelve that took to the runway for the designer.

Shot by noted fashion photographer Tarun Khiwal, the April 2012 to March 2013 calendar has Valaya's close friends and "wonderfully inspired individuals".

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

[8] He remains one of the biggest names in the bridal trousseau market in India, and was one of the first Indian labels to invest in sampling, research and development at their "House of Valaya" establishment at Manesar on the outskirts of Delhi.