The
renowned fashion designer and couturier tells us about his journey from
being a miserable chartered accountant to becoming brand JJ Valaya.
JJ Valaya
JJ Valaya's empire boasts of labels such as House of Valaya, JJ Valaya
Muse, JJ Valaya, Valaya Quantum,
Valaya Base, Valaya Home,The Home of
the Traveler.
The renowned fashion designer and couturier tells us about his journey
from being a miserable chartered accountant to becoming brand JJ Valaya.
How do you define 'fashion' and why do people care about it so much?
Fashion is essentially about creating one’s own individuality and a distinct style statement.
In addition people are often judged first by what they wear and since
first impressions are important in today’s world, fashion plays a huge
role in projecting the right image.
When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
My story began in 1988, when interning as a chartered accountant in
Chandigarh, I realized that I had to make a drastic career change. I was
miserable auditing balance sheets.
The only spot of brightness was in my imagination, when I would dream about the decor of my office (when I would have one).
I knew I wanted to be someone else but didn’t know how to go about it.
Then I discovered the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT),
which was a brand new institute being run out of a makeshift campus in
New Delhi.
My parents though initially disappointed thereafter fully supported me.
In school, I was into large scale canvases, so the creatively charged
atmosphere of NIFT was exactly what I needed.
What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
A jacket for a friend while I was at NIFT in 1990. I cut and made the
entire jacket with my own hands and got paid a princely sum of rupees
250 for my efforts...my first earning...very special!
What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
Being honest to myself and my craft.
What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
Designers must put in all their efforts to create and believe in an identity of their own.
Often if I see 10 designers’ work, 9 possess the same DNA. Also, they
need to believe in India and all the history they are surrounded by. To
create something new and cutting edge, one must appreciate the past.
What do you like best about designing clothes?
The power to psychologically alter an individual's mindset by making
her/him feel great about the way she/he looks....beautiful clothes can
have an amazing effect on the body language of a person.
What do you dislike about designing clothes?
The constant desire for change....that’s what I believe in timelessness and edgy classicism.
How would you define your personal style?
The nomad meets the royal...
How would you define the style your line exemplifies?
Respect for craft and a belief that the old and new must coexist + a
sense of scale and drama.....essentially a life less ordinary!
Where do you get your inspiration?
From life itself...from the fact that I can visualize the end result months before it actually takes shape.
If you weren't a fashion designer what would you do instead?
A miserable Chartered Accountant.
J.J Valaya in one word would be?
Evolutionary.