JJ Valaya on Debuting His First Handbag Line with the Raj–Jagjit, A Design Inspired by His Parents

Known for building one of India’s most enduring luxury fashion legacies, couturier JJ Valaya has long defined opulence through his signature chevrons, intricate craftsmanship, and a design language rooted in history. This year, the designer expands that universe with the launch of the house’s first dedicated handbag line — a move he sees as a natural extension of the world he has spent decades creating.

“For years, my work has been about building a complete universe around the idea of timeless luxury. Couture was always the starting point, and accessories felt like the most organic progression of that world,” he says.

At the heart of the debut collection is The Raj & The Jagjit, a partner-piece design named after his parents. The larger structured Jagjit bag gently houses the smaller Raj bag, forming a symbolic composition of protection, grace, and enduring companionship — a deeply personal narrative translated into leather, embroidery, and form.

The line introduces multiple silhouettes that move between occasion dressing and everyday luxury, but for Valaya, the intention remains the same: to create objects that carry memory and legacy, meaning, and a sense of timeless identity. In conversation with Manifest, the designer reflects on storytelling through accessories, heritage as a design language, and why true luxury must always outlive trends.

The Raj & Jagjit bag is deeply personal, inspired by your parents. What was the emotional journey of translating that relationship into a design object?

My parents have been the most defining influence in my life, both personally and emotionally. Naming the bags after them was never a marketing idea — it was instinctive. It felt like the most honest way to begin this chapter of the brand.

The larger structured Jagjit bag houses the smaller Raj bag, forming a symbolic composition of protection, love, and an enduring bond. The two can be carried together or independently, but their relationship remains the heart of the design. It is my tribute to their grace, their strength, and the values they instilled in me.

Did any historical or cultural references shape this accessories line?

My work has always drawn from history, travel, and heritage. I believe immense beauty has been created in the past, and our responsibility as designers is to rediscover it, reinterpret it, and make it relevant for today.

The accessories line follows the same philosophy. You will see references to old-world opulence and heritage craftsmanship, but expressed in a way that feels contemporary rather than nostalgic.

The idea of one bag holding another as a symbol of protection is very poetic. How did that metaphor evolve during the design process?

The idea began as two independent bags. But as the design evolved, their relationship started to feel more meaningful. When the smaller bag sat within the larger one, it almost felt like an embrace.

My father was an army man — disciplined, strong, protective. My mother had a deep love for embroidery and craft. That dynamic of strength and grace naturally shaped the design. The bags became a tribute to both of them and the balance

they brought into my life.

Do you see the Raj & Jagjit bag as more than an accessory — perhaps as something meant to be passed down?

Absolutely. I believe true luxury must stand the test of time. When someone invests in a piece like this, it should never feel seasonal. It should live with them for years, and ideally travel across generations.

Even today, discovering a vintage luxury object brings immense joy. That is the sentiment I hope these bags will carry — something meaningful long after trends have passed.

What was the biggest design challenge in translating the Valaya aesthetic from couture to handbags?

The real challenge was distillation. In couture, opulence comes through layers, embroidery, and movement. With a structured object like a handbag, especially in leather, you have to express that same regality through proportion, form, and material.

It became less about surface decoration and more about architectural clarity, while ensuring the piece still felt unmistakably Valaya.

The Valaya name has defined Indian luxury for decades. How does this handbag line expand the narrative of the House?

I see it as a natural evolution rather than a shift. We have built a very clear design language through couture, and accessories allow that language to travel into everyday life.

A handbag lets someone carry a part of the Valaya universe with them even when they are dressed simply. In that sense, it expands the world of the brand in a very organic way.