Valliyan
Valliyan is an Indian jewellery label founded in Mumbai by Nitya Arora around 2008. It makes avant-garde, mixed-media fashion jewellery in brass, copper, stones and pearls.
| Founder | Nitya Arora |
|---|---|
| Base | Mumbai, India |
| Started | Around 2008 |
| Materials | Brass, copper, stones, pearls |
| Website | valliyan.com |
What is Valliyan?
Valliyan is a jewellery label from Mumbai, India, founded by Nitya Arora when she was 21 and fresh out of college. The name comes from the Punjabi word for hoops, inspired by the first pair of hoops her grandmother gave her.
History
Arora, who had no formal jewellery training, began by sketching designs and having them made by brass keychain makers on Colaba Causeway. Early stockists included Bombay Electric and Ensemble, and the label later opened its own store.
Products and positioning
Valliyan treats jewellery like art objects. Its avant-garde, mixed-media style draws on Art Deco and Gothic architecture, bold colour, geometry and motifs such as the Bombay skyline.
- Brass and copper
- Polki, tourmaline and pearls
- Rose gold finishes and cane weaving
Arora designs when inspiration strikes rather than by season and keeps the brand deliberately small. She also runs an apparel label, Malai.
Why it matters
Valliyan is one of the longest-running independent fashion jewellery labels in India, showing that a niche, design-led brand can endure without scaling into mass production.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Valliyan?
Valliyan was founded by Mumbai designer Nitya Arora.
What does the name Valliyan mean?
It comes from the Punjabi word for hoops, inspired by a pair of hoops from the founder's grandmother.