The story of Raj and Jagjit: How a handbag captured a childhood
A designer captures his parents holding each other in leather form
Indian fashion designer and couturier JJ Valaya spent decades building a reputation entirely on heavily detailed clothing. Fashion houses usually hit a point where garments feel a bit incomplete on their own. He is now taking a massive leap into accessories with his very first dedicated handbag line.
The absolute standout of this debut happens to be a deeply personal piece of work. He created the Raj and Jagjit bags as a direct tribute to his parents, and the actual design tells their story. The larger Jagjit bag works like a firm, protective outer shell. The smaller Raj bag tucks safely right inside it. When you put them together, they basically mimic a physical embrace.
Valaya walked me through his thought process during our chat. His father served in the army, completely representing strength and discipline. His mother brought warmth, grace, and a deep love for craft into their home. The bags serve as a physical manifestation of that exact relationship and balance. Shifting away from soft fabrics to hard leather took some serious adjustment for the brand. Clothing relies on movement. Handbags require rigid architecture and form. Valaya had to figure out a way to express his usual regal style using solid shapes and metal.
Artisans down in Jaipur handcrafted all the sculptural brass hardware for the collection. The design team then paired that heavy metalwork with quilted leathers, rich velvets, and bespoke suede interiors. He specifically focused on materials built to handle real daily life. The goal is for people to carry them season after season, avoiding items that get forgotten in a closet after a few months. A handbag finally lets people bring a small piece of the Valaya world into a totally regular Tuesday. You can throw on a completely basic outfit and still hold that high-end luxury right in your hand.
The larger Jagjit bag acts as a protective shell, with the smaller Raj bag nestled inside. Together, they look like an embrace. It felt symbolic. My father was an army man — he was all about strength and discipline. My mother was warmth and grace. The design just reflects that balance between them. --- JJ VALAYA
