Timeless Royal Style
A NEW BOOK BY AMRITA GANDHI REVEALS THE LIFESTYLE SECRETS THAT WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO CREATE LUXURY OUT OF THE ORDINARY. DISCOVER THE ART OF SETTING A DINING TABLE FROM THE PRINCESS OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF RAMPUR, LEARN HOW TO ACCESSORISE AND DRAPE YOUR CHIFF
A new book reveals a treasure trove of royal lifestyle tips and secrets that will show you how to create luxury out of the ordinary.
Indira Raje, the Maharani of Cooch Behar and mother of Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, went on to become one of India’s biggest royal trendsetters. She fell in love with and married a young prince (Jitendra Narayan) from Cooch Behar, whom she met at the Delhi Durbar of 1911. After her husband died, she chose to only wear a white sari. She got her nine-yard white chiffon sari woven in Lyon — the finest chiffon you could find. And her choice has had an impact on subsequent generations of royalty. Anybody who saw her talked about her startlingly large emeralds, her fabulous cars and the soirées she held in her home, all in those white chiffon saris.
HOWTO PUT TOGETHER A BROCADE-BORDER CHIFFON
Choose a chiffon sari with little or no embellishment such as embroidery or sequins. It should be either a single colour or shaded, like green going to yellow. The colour of the brocade border should ideally be lighter than the body of the sari, dominant in silver or gold with a pattern reflecting subtly the colour of the sari. When working with printed chiffon saris, choose a finer allover print rather than a bold, loud design so that the pattern does not compete with the border for attention.
THE CHIFFON RULE BOOK
Gitanjali Shah of Tehri Garhwal Printed chiffons are only for the day; never wear a print at night.
Kumud Kumari of Gondal In winter, bright colours can perk up both your wardrobe and mood.
Shubhangini Raje of Baroda Never pin your chiffon. Leaving it free will allow you greater flexibility.
Shobhal Singh of Ajaigarh Wear heels with your chiffon because it gives the sari a good fall. Remember to always put your heels on first and then adjust your sari accordingly so that the hem is even.