Step inside Jaipur’s newest concept store by Gauravi Kumari

Jaipur’s centuries-old legacy has always been one thriving in arts, culture, luxury, and design. The bursting by-lanes of the Pink City hold within them many gems, both literal and metaphorical. And modern-day royal custodians of the city’s heritage are on a mission to put them in the spotlight. At the forefront of this shift is Gauravi Kumari from the royal family of Jaipur, who co-hosted galas with Anita Dongre and Ralph Lauren last year, apart from continuing to further the cause of female empowerment with her brand, The PDKF Store. Her latest endeavour is The Palace Atelier—a concept store for the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, envisioned in collaboration with French designer Claire Deroo—housed within the young royal’s home, the City Palace of Jaipur.  

A DESIGN DESTINATION

 

When in Jaipur, inspiration is all around. From vintage stores to the hidden, historic corners in the palace, a multitude of influences came together in an eclectic interpretation to inform the design sensibility of this 2,000 sq ft store. One that can be best described as quirky ‘Jaipur modern’ flair. Broken into themed galleries that have been drenched in a riot of colours—the palette is inspired by the ‘Pachranga’ (five-coloured) flag of Jaipur as well as hues of royal rooms such as Chandra Mahal, Sarvato Bhadra and Pritam Niwas within the palace—each section is teeming with curios and charm.

As for what you can buy here—everything, from clothes by Kanika Goyal, Lovebirds Studio, and Saloni; fine jewellery from Tallin, Amrapali, and The Gem Palace; and accessories from Bhavya Ramesh and Ecru; to objects, gifts, and clothing from an in-house line.

The design of the store is as much the hero as the collections it houses. You will find a customised vintage post box, a colour-coded library, vintage photographs, and art, and a bespoke print fabric wallpaper by designer Peter D’Ascoli. Also, dressing the store are knickknacks sourced from vintage stores across Rajasthan, and even the royal family’s personal heirlooms such as the travelling trunks of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. “We found and restored so many beautiful pieces from our old storage units to add character and authenticity to the space,” reveals Gauravi.

THE HEART OF IT

 

Gauravi adds that The Palace Atelier was envisioned as, “a representation of all that is the best of the heritage of Jaipur’s art, architecture, and culture, as well as the contemporary panache of modern India.” They formed a fitting artistic alliance with Delhi-born clothing label Lovebirds Studio. The brand showcased their Spring/ Summer’24 collection ‘Maybe This Is How We Meet’—a poignant love letter to Jaipur—at the Jaigarh Fort, an experience merging fashion with art installations.  

An unseasonal downpour cleared up only a few hours before the show, painting the sky in dramatic, magical hues. The gusting wind and a string sextet provided the melancholic background score for the 75 pieces that were unveiled in one of the fort’s many pavilions, dating back to the 11th century. “Lovebirds Studio’s unique style—the inspiration that this collection draws from the architectural heritage of Jaipur—resonated with our vision. It was a cohesive representation of our store’s ethos—a seamless mix of past and present, vintage and contemporary,” signs off Gauravi.

All images: The Palace Atelier

This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar India, April-May, 2024 print issue.

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