With each passing season, JJ Valaya stamps his imprint on Studio Valaya with an ever firmer hand, taking off on another global sojourn, one full of mystery, culture and stimulating colors. The Valaya LIFW 2005 collections this year are a tribute to the sheer genius of Georges Remi (1907-1983) popularly known as HERGE, the creator of perhaps the world's most prolific comic book characters - TINTIN. Herge was a traveller and it is this very aspect that was most exciting for the entire collection to revolve around him and the book series. Through Tintin, Herge gave his reader not just an interesting story but a virtual tour of various parts of the world thereby creating his own global arena…one where fantasy and reality mingled and flourished.

Comprising of young glamour splashed with bold details, the 51 outfit collection of womenswear and menswear revolves around three components from the TINTIN series:

Prisoners of the Sun
A collection in Black and Ivory set in Peru. Inca motifs and custom woven fabrics further accentuated by rough wool and crystal embroidery and beaded detailing. Lycra and linen constitute the main fabrics.

Bashi Bazouk
Inspired by one of Capt. Haddock's oft used abuses- Bashi Bazouk actually were mercenaries in the Ottoman army. An antiques pallate where Printing and subdued surface treatments provide the required cutting edge to a collection rife with glorious layering and textural experimentation. Lycra Velvet, voiles and georgettes rule the line.

Tintin in Tibet
Herge's favorite work inspires a lush pallete of Tibetan interpretations in a contemporary statement. Coats, Corsets, raw silk embroideries and vivid prints jostle with modern styling and detailing in this vibrant collection.

The designer's personal mantra is to have fun through a very serious and researched way. As the collections moved from Peru to the Ottoman Empire to finally culminate in Tibet, his research went beyond the obvious suspects namely costume, colors and cultural influences to the exciting possibilities of modern adaptations of such fabulous inspirations which is reflected in the cuts, textures and styling of the collection.

Finally, the haute couturier in Valaya ends up putting interesting details in his ready to wear line, providing contemporary temptations for a jet-set lifestyle from Ibiza to Mumbai. The magic remains that none of this can be nailed down literally as retro or costume, yet, at a time when fashion is weary of overt gimmickry, it is this very quality of global research and thematic presentations that never fail to set a Valaya apart.

Valaya by Skin Sin

JJ Valaya has recently joined hands through a licensing arrangement with international fashion footwear brand Skin Sin to launch a new label of designer footwear, called "Valaya by Skin Sin". The collection will be on display on ramp during the India Fashion Week 2005 and will be available across all Valaya and Skin Sin fashion boutiques in India and overseas by end August 2005.

JJ Valaya Couture Fall-Winter 2005-06

The thread of inspiration for this year's fashion week collections shall be further accentuated in all its glory and grandeur in the House of Valaya's flagship label JJ Valaya's Couture collections to be shown later this year.