Nestled within the grandeur of Jaipur’s City Palace, The Palace Atelier transcends the realm of a mere store, offering a transcendent journey into the heart of Indian creativity. Crafted under the visionary collaboration of Princess Gauravi Kumari and acclaimed French designer Claire Deroo, this enchanting destination is a testament to passion and heritage.
Princess Gauravi Kumari shares the insights into the genesis and ethos of The Palace Atelier with us, shedding light on its profound significance in preserving and reinterpreting Jaipur’s heritage.
CONTEMPORARY HERITAGE
Growing up in Jaipur, surrounded by the beautiful arts and crafts of Rajasthan and inspired by the legacy of my family, generations of which have worked to promote and preserve the art, literature, culture, craft and traditions of Jaipur, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to continue to take that legacy forward.
The Palace Atelier was first established in 2012 as the museum store of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, however over the years, I realised a need to expand its scope to include Jaipur’s timeless crafts alongside India’s modernity.
The new Palace Atelier is a standalone space that Claire Deroo and I have designed showcase an eclectic collection inspired by the vision of my family, the galleries of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, the heritage arts and crafts of Rajasthan and the modernity of India’s design ethos through collections by established as well as emerging artists and designers.
THE COLOURS OF RAJASTHAN
When Claire Deroo and I began brainstorming on the revamp of the Palace Atelier, from the beginning we envisioned a space that seamlessly blended the historic with the contemporary. From the vibrant colours of Rajasthan (inspired by the colours found across the City Palace and from the five coloured Pachranga flag of Jaipur), to the arches and antechambers of the sections (reflective of Rajput architectural design), to the fabric and motifs (custom crafted by the talented Peter Dascoli, using block print techniques from Rajasthan), everything in the store pays homage to our history and is reinvented in a contemporary and modern manner.
DISCOVERING TREASURES
We want every visitor to the Palace Atelier to feel like there is a treasure for them to take back. No matter what their age or shopping preferences. It would be gratifying if people walk into the Atelier and feel inspired to spend time discovering the many treasures that we have painstakingly curated to be a part of it. Everything in the store has a story to tell and if that story resonates with you, then take it back to be part of your home, life and space.
This is an exclusive excerpt from our May EZ. To read the entire article and more such pieces, follow the link here.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 31.05.2024