The beginning of the journey to 35: JJ Valaya’s Siddi collection

As the House of Valaya prepares to celebrate 35 years of couture excellence next year, JJ Valaya chose Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 to unveil not just a new collection, but the beginning of a milestone chapter. The celebrated fashion designer presented SIDDI, his Autumn/Winter 2026 couture collection, alongside the launch of an exclusive couture bridal salon at his Delhi flagship, The World of Valaya, located within JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity. Together, the new collection and dedicated bridal space signal the House's continued evolution while reaffirming its enduring commitment to craftsmanship, luxury and timeless design.

For SIDDI, Valaya turns his gaze towards the remarkable story of the Siddis of India, using their centuries-long journey as a metaphor for cultural exchange, migration and identity. Rather than recreating history, the collection reimagines it through the refined language of couture, exploring how traditions transform as they travel across continents and generations.

"SIDDI began with the idea of a journey, one that crossed oceans, geographies and centuries, eventually creating an identity entirely its own," says Valaya. "I was fascinated by the Siddis of India and by this extraordinary confluence of African origins with the many cultural influences absorbed over generations on the Indian subcontinent. But this is not a literal interpretation of a community or its dress. For me, it became a larger meditation on movement, memory and identity, and on how cultures evolve when they travel. Through the unmistakable vocabulary of the House of Valaya, SIDDI translates that thought into a contemporary couture narrative of embellishment, colour, texture, geometry and ceremony."

That philosophy finds expression in a collection that spans bridal couture, occasion wear and menswear. Opulent lehengas, contemporary saris, fluid anarkalis, majestic sherwanis and sharply tailored bandhgalas are elevated through the House's masterful craftsmanship. A palette of antique gold, ivory, champagne, black, rich earth tones and deep jewel hues provides the backdrop for intricate zardozi, aari, and dori embroidery, accented with metallic thread work and shimmering crystal embellishments that have long defined the Valaya aesthetic.

Among the most emotionally significant pieces in the collection is a couture interpretation of the iconic Valaya Shifting Leaves Chevron. First created for his daughter Hoorvi's wedding before making its runway debut, the design is rendered in an understated palette of black, beige and metallic tones. The piece exemplifies the House's uncompromising attention to detail and exceptional artisanal craftsmanship, while introducing a new design milestone in the Valaya legacy.