It’s a special year for noted designer and couturier J.J. Valaya, who is celebrating his 20 years in the fashion industry. To commemorate his 20th anniversary and as part of his year-long celebrations, the designer launched a limited edition financial year calendar. Ace fashion photographer Tarun Khiwal, who started his career by shooting JJ’s fashion folio, shot the calendar for this occasion.
Talking about the calendar, Valaya says, “We live, eat, breathe fashion every single day of our lives and what could be a better tribute to a glorious 20 years than having all my friends in the industry take part in the initiative. We did a financial year calendar as opposed to an annual one simply because it shows my belief in the business of fashion.”
The collector’s edition of Valaya’s annual calendar features some of his contemporaries in the industry like Rohit Bal, Ashish Soni, Manish Arora, Suneet Varma along with famous models and FDCI president Sunil Sethi. “My journey is my inspiration and all these amazing individuals, whose company and friendship has made my journey special, are dear friends. So whilst most are competitors, there exists a special bond that we all share beyond our professional worlds. This calendar celebrates the integrity and oneness of the fashion fraternity. Besides celebrating two decades of Valaya, it also celebrates the spirit of fashion.”
Even after two decades of successful career in fashion, the designer still gets nostalgic while talking about his initial days of struggle. He mentions, “There are several occasions in the journey of fashion and all so special, but one of my most special moments still belongs to the very beginning of my career, when I heard that I had made it into NIFT way back in 1989.”
Talking about his other interest — photography — the designer reveals, “The photographer in me is my alter ego. But my photography to me is my art. It’s a brand new journey that commenced last year with my debut fine art photography show, ‘Decoded Paradox’, a portraiture series based on Delhi. This year, I am putting together my second show which will be based on architecture.”
JJ’s 20 years in the fashion industry will be celebrated throughout the year. Plans include a coffee table book and a grand retrospective show. He also plans to celebrate his association with a royal family and two vintage Valaya tours.