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JJ VALAYA for Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week 2013
MUMBAI, The opening of Indian Bridal Week, 2013 Delhi Edition was by the renowned couturier whose name is synonymous with Opulence, royalty, and rich cultural heritage of India, especially, when it comes to Haute couture. JJ Valaya marked the beginning of this extravagant bridal week with his grand show. The collection-‘The Maharaja of Madrid’ is about a factitious voyage of a Monarch who was fascinated by the Spanish art, customs and forms. JJ Valaya’s show was presented by the AMR group. The whole set designed by Schenographer Sumant Jayakrishnan was extravagant and grand in every aspect. It was a visual treat for the audience who were mesmerized by the whole ambiance of this visual spectacle. Big white royal umbrellas were set, which depicted the scene of some king’s court, with models sitting on the thrones wearing white ensembles and chunky Indian jewellery, like king and queens of Mughal Era. The quintessentially royal and opulent element which was prevalent during the whole show has always been an integral part of Valaya’s shows.
The show began with the music of birds chirping in the background, and with a male model that was playing a traditional trumpet like instrument on the ship which was right in the middle of this opulent set. The dancers rowed in white sarees gave a beautiful Kathak dance performance, together in synchronization with another dancer, who in a red evening gown, did a Spanish foot tapping dance. The specially crafted soundtrack for this particular performance was by Gaurav Raina of Medieval Pundit, and it was indicative of the fusion of Indian and Spanish cultures, forming the essence of Vallaya’s Collection for this show. The collection is divided into 5 sub-inspirations and is an amalgamation of Spanish and Indian elements. He not only incorporated the spirit of history into his avant-garde creations with finesse but also made sure that the richness of his inspiration stays intact.
The first section of the show presented collection inspired by the laces found in Spanish fans and headgears. It also displayed grandeur of Indian Jewels juxtaposed with beautiful ensembles like sarees, long-collard coats over sarees in ivory. Even men collection showcased a very intricately light embroidered sherwani and also a long anarkali like attire teamed with hanging tassles.
The second part of the show was truly inspired by the Manton de Manila- huge fringed shawls of Spain. The collection showcased the big floral prints in harmony with Indian Jamawar in paisley pattern. The blue tulle gown, with top part of the ensemble, intricately embroidered in Jacquard pattern was truly eye capturing. Beautiful bolero jackets embroidered in similar fashion was also seen paired with the gown, giving the royal touch, to the whole ensemble. The big floral, jacquard embroidered lehengas inspired by Spanish tradition were really seen beautifully blended with Indian attires.
JJ Valaya’s third part of the collection was inspired by the murals of Mexican artist, Diego Rivera who started his career with a famous Spanish artist Eduardo Chicharro. His frescos combined with the unrivalled beauty of Indian Miniature art formed the collection which was mainly in the hues of reds and blacks. Floor sweeping, long spaghetti strapped dress with a criss-cross back was truly awe-inspiring because of the intricate thread work. In men’s collection, sherwanis with bundgala were seen which were teamed with black straight fitted pants.
The next section, inspired by the armors of Spain and India, showed wide array of collection in fine metal embroideries, velvets, tulles and Georgettes. A deep maroon, velvet jacket with fine metal embroidery at the front, and in combination with wispy tulle fabric was a real stunner.
The final collection was inspired by the bull fighters of Spain also known as Toreros. In men’s collection, long ankle length sherwanis in red and heavy gold zardosi work in gold and black captured the attention. Another was the georgette sari in red print with studded gold work and teamed with turban like head gear with a lavish beautiful broach studded in the middle of the turban. To conclude the show, Kabir bedi walked the ramp in royal, long, velvet sherwani with heavy intricate gold work all over, together with thread work at hems and borders. It was was teamed with a turban and kali. The second show stopper of the evening was Kangana Ranaut, who showed up in floor sweeping lehenga in gold work, with the incorporation of paisley patterns.
AMR Group, a diversified business conglomerate with business interest in different industry verticals, feels honored to associate with JJ Valaya – Kapil Aggarwal, MD AMR Group “A name of repute in the fashion domain, one that has won laurels on myriad national and international platforms. He is indeed one of the biggest names when it comes to bridal trousseau in India. He has that flair and knack of seamlessly blending the contemporary with the traditional. AMR is delighted at the fact that India Bridal Fashion Week is being organized in the national capital for the very first time. As a business entity that’s been at the forefront of fashion & related developments in the region we feel proud to partner with it.”
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
