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Images: Kangana plays the blushing bride

Designer JJ Valaya showed his collection titled 'Alika in Yonderland' on Day 4 of the Delhi Couture Week.

Drawing inspiration from a courtesan named Alika, 'it visually pieces together her desire that the true love she feels for a royal is accepted by him and she is finally set free of the life she was born with.'

'Set in her dreams, the collection is a voyage undertaken in her deepest senses. The colours of the collection depict what she feels in her dream, starting with love and purity, and then hope followed by despair and finally triumph and celebration,' says Valaya.

Let's take a look...

The collection began with ivories and golds and moved into richer textures and hues of pinks, reds and maroons creating more traditional bridal ensembles. First up is this beautiful ensemble in off-white and gold. The jacquard jacket with paisley detailing is very elegant. The frilled skirt adds a kitschy touch.

Vintage white

Valaya had a little something for the men as well. One of the more stand-out creations was this shimmery white silk sherwani with checkered embellishment all across the body.

Applique elegance

Next up is this pretty net sari with delicate lace detailing on the border. While the sari is pretty enough, the choli gets our thumbs up wiyth its pretty white applique.

Golden goddess

Seen here is a delicate net sari beautifully overlaid with golden applique and heavily embellished choli. Quite exquisite, we think!

Introducing the Alika jacket

Valaya introduced the Alika jacket this season, which he describes as a mix beteen a shirt and jacket. It 'loosely shares its DNA with an Indian traditional garment, the sadri' and is poised to be 'the one 'must have' high-value luxury style statement for the fashion elite'.

Paired with a reddish-pink fishtail ghagra with fine embroidered detailing, the ensemble is in rich yet elegant in its simplicity.

Kangana dazzles

Actress Kangana Ranaut was radiant in Valaya's showstopper.

With a vision to create 'the most exclusive wedding outfit ever in the history of contemporary Indian couture', the outfit was put together by 100 craftpersons working for over 1,200 hours. The ensemble is hand embroidered with a healthy helping of semi-precious gems like onyx, Peruvian opals, pearls and garnets along with Swarovski crystals and antique metal.

A bevy of beauties

At the end, the models sashayed in in a host of vibrant ghagras all paired with Valaya's signature Alika jacket.

Taking in the applause

And finally the designer walked down the ramp with his showstopper to thunderous applause.