Royal Fables, my small offering to the world of Princely craft and couture comes alive this weekend. Here is a glimpse of some of the traditional crafts created within palace karkhanas to watch out for.
RANI JAYKIRTI SINGH OF BARIA
Rani Jaykirti Singh of Baria is famous for her very ingenous hand block prints . She uses the hand block printing tradition and incorporates it into contemporary wear. Her ensembles use embroideries like zardozi, aari, pittan, salma-sitaraand sequins. In her saris traditional embroideries find a rich expression.
ROSETREE
By Kanwarani Kamini Singh & R. K. Chandini Singh of Seohara
Rose Tree gives a twist to formal dressing, ushering in a palette of beige to earthy tones, with dashes of ochre, orange, cobalt blue and maroon. The eclectic range comprises shararas, anarkalis, kurtis and flowing aabha kurtas. Kanwarani Kamini Singh and her beautiful daughter R.K. Chandni Kumari work out of an atelier within their ancient haveli in Seohara training and empowering local women artisans.
CHAASMI
By Nandiniy Singh Lucknow
Nandiniy Singh of Gaura, brings alive the essence of Lucknow, of Awadh, her understanding of poetry, her regional heritage, a culture that she seemingly effortlessly imbues into her label ‘Chaasmi’. She believes in fluid synthesis of craft and fashion in creating timeless pieces using traditional embroideries like Zari Zardozi, Aari, Jaali, Pitta work, Mukaish, Parsi Gara, Crewel Stitch, French Knots, Hand painted, Sequins, Pharesha, Beads work.
KanwaraniRituSinhWankaner
An FDCI designer, Ritu dresses film stars in her anarkalis, farshis and embroidered jackets all block printed, embroidered and embellished by hand. Her expertise in gotapatti is couture quality.
BBG Royals
Nidhi Sah and Digvijay Singh
BBG Royal is sure to be found in every blue blooded woman and man’s wardrobe. Founded by artists Nidhi Sah and Digvijay Singh (His mother was the princess of Awagarh), the brand recreates vintage iconography on the finest chiffon sarees and cotton shirts. BBG Royals creates limited-edition digital printed chiffon saris, featuring floral and animal prints with true royal splendor. Their artworks, reproduced digitally are further enhanced with embellishments and embroideries.
Bera Jackets
By Kunwar Yaduveer Singh
Kunwar Yaduveer Singh Bera hails from a region famed for the Jawai Lake and leopard sanctuary. Scion of the Bera family, he employs local shepherds in Castle Bera, his home, teaching them the technique of making hand-tucked hunter jackets in canvas and cords and Fulgars (hand-tucked coats in velvet) that are worn by the Rajputs during the cold desert winter.
House of Seohara
By Kunwar Prithvi Raj Singh Seohara
Prithvi Raj Singh’s most recent endeavor transcends his legal and intellectual pursuits. He launches “House Of Seohara,” a fashion house that rekindles the ancient art of stitching. In a world dominated by fast fashion and mass production, House Of Seohara stands as a beacon of tradition and craftsmanship.
Sri Tanabana
By Thakurani Darshana Kumari of Mandawa, R.K. Geetanjali Shah Tehri Garhwal and TikaraniPriyanjaliKatochKangra- Lambragaon.
From Mandawa comes a royal weave story recreated by the enterprising ThakuraniDarshanaji who hails from Mansa in Gujarat and who brought with the weaving studio of her parental state. Sri Tana Bana creates the finest weaves, keeping their pure gold weave tradition alive. She is supported by her daughters who infuse in the weaves
Kanota Essentials
by KunwaraniRajyashri Parihar of Kanota
Born in Avadh and married into Shohratgarh, young Rajyashree rekindles the romance of exquisitely hand-painted saris, a must in every royal woman’s wardrobe. She also designs stunning block printed linen and home essentials in natural textiles.
Rajkumari Nandini Singh Jhabua
From the Princely state of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, Princess Nandini Singh nurtures the Gond artist in her royal atelier. Also supporting other arts of her region, she works with master illusionist artists as well as keeping Islamic calligraphy alive.
Namrata Singh
Jewelry designer Namrata Singh born in a noble family from Kishangarh, Rajasthan and residing in Jaipur, derives inspiration from blooming flowers, Mughal architecture, celestial influences, and her world travels. She uses various stones, both precious and semi-precious, to create truly inspirational pieces of jewelry.
Amrita Rana Singh
A jewelry connoisseur from the sun-kissed mountains of Nepal, AmritaRana Singh keeps alive the royal tradition of jewelry making, crafted in a style imbibed from European Ateliers. Chandelier earrings, lattice design necklaces, delicate clasps all set in the finest diamonds, emerald, rubies and sapphire, her collection is a veritable visual treat.
Princess Diviya Kumari Jubbal
Himachal, known for its pristine mountains is also home to great embroidery studios. Diviya Jubbal, a healer and coach presents an array of hand embroidered ensembles that she is finishing in her atelier in Delhi.