Draft:Alykhan Velji
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Alykhan Velji (born June 24, 1980) is a Canadian Interior Designer and media personality based in Calgary, Alberta.[1]
Early Life
[edit]Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Velji began his professional design career after graduating from Bow Valley College in 2003.[2]
Career
[edit]Interior Design
[edit]In 2006, Alykhan founded his design firm Alykhan Velji Designs[3] working with both residential and commercial clients.
Television
[edit]Alykhan got his start in television after being cast on HGTV Canada's Designer Superstar Challenge, a challenge-focused reality television show, where judges tested the skills, ability and ease on camera of 10 contestants [4]. Velji placed in third, but caught the attention of Suzanne Dimma, who cast him as a Design Assistant in another HGTV show, The Style Dept.[5] In 2011, he was cast for another reality show, this time as the designer for Team Blue, on My Rona Home, where two families battled it out to win their dream home. After 10 weeks, one family became an instant, mortgage-free, homeowner.
Beyond unscripted reality television, Velji has made countless television morning show appearances on shows including The Marilyn Denis Show. He is also half of a television duo called The Style Guys[6] with his husband Jason Krell[7]. The two have been on morning shows across Canada sharing lifestyle tips and tricks, gifting ideas, and how-to ideas.[8]
Podcast
[edit]In 2024, Alykhan launched a podcast called AVD Inspire[9], where he explores themes with guests including interior design, creativity, personal growth, and industry insights. [10] Episodes cover topics like career pivots, personal therapy experiences, and the art of staying grounded through chaos, with highlights from conversations with guests like Canadian media icon Marilyn Denis, who shares personal stories from her extensive career.[11]
Designer Collaborations
[edit]Alykhan Velji has collaborated with several Canadian companies to create collections that reflect his personal design style, including a wallpaper collection with Rollout [12], and furniture collections with Mobilia[13][14], Urban Barn [15], and Silva [16].
Awards
[edit]Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, 2010[17]
Avenue Magazine's Best Dressed, 2020
Finalist for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Immagrants of Distinction, 2022[18]
The H&H 100 Top Canadian Designers, 2024[19]
Further Reading
[edit]"Where I Work: Aly Velji of Alykhan Velji Designs" Design Milk
"The Key to This Couple's Impromptu Parties: An Exterior That Stops Neighbors in the Street" Domino
"Post-Reno, This Home’s Curvy Staircases Don’t Look Stuck in the ’90s Anymore" Domino
References
[edit]- ^ Williamson, Caroline (2021-05-18). "Where I Work: Aly Velji of Alykhan Velji Design". Design Milk. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ^ Renfrow, Selina (2010-10-19). "Alykhan Velji". Avenue Calgary. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ^ "Aly Velji Designs". Aly Velji Designs. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "GayCalgary.com - Designer Superstar Challenge: Calgarian makes good on HGTV show". GayCalgary Online. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "About – The Style Guys". Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Designer Aly Velji's renovated home is a snapshot of quiet perfection". calgaryherald. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Arnusch, Shelley (2021-05-19). "The Style Guys Make the Move to Live-Stream Shopping". Avenue Calgary. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "The Style Guys: Out-of-the-box affection | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "This Calgary Designer Just Launched a Great New Podcast for Creatives". Western Living Magazine. 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji". The Podcast Collaborative. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Alykhan Velji". Rollout. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Designer Aly Velji channels his Indian roots into a stunning furniture line". calgaryherald. Archived from the original on 2022-01-16. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Howarth, Dan (2018-11-02). "Alykhan Velji's heritage and travels influence his Modern India furniture for Mobilia". Dezeen. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Lamberton, Dominique (2023-01-24). "Designer Aly Velji Launches Gorgeous New Furniture Collection with Urban Barn". Avenue Calgary. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Canadian designer Aly Velji launches fourth furniture collection". calgaryherald. Archived from the original on 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Renfrow, Selina (2010-10-19). "Alykhan Velji". Avenue Calgary. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "2022 IDA Finalist – Immigrant Services Calgary". www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Hart, Talia (2024-11-15). "The H&H 100 - 2024". House & Home. Retrieved 2025-09-08.