Welcome to the world of Falguni Shane Peacock and Raj Mahal Bijoux - Their creations are old-school art, with a runway-ready attitude.
From baroque jharokhas to marble-etched peacocks, Falguni Shane Peacock’s latest couture collection for India Couture Week is a reverent nod to India’s storied legacy.
Raj Mahal Bijoux literally means “royal palace jewels.” Picture how royal palaces like Jaipur’s City Palace and Laxmi Vilas Palace in Baroda look - this is your inspiration for a fresh sartorial start. The designers improvise on architectural elements from the palace, like those latticed jali screens that let moonlight reflect from marble floors, the carved peacocks looming like guardians of forgotten stories. Every motif is a little treasure, passed down from stone walls into mesmerizing gowns.
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You’ve seen faded frescoes inside ancient palaces- those toned-down blues, rose-pink petals, buttery golds. Falguni Shane Peacock experimented with these palettes, and the result? Embroideries that glimmer like sunlit mosaics, and fabrics soaked in the hush of royal halls.
The peacock isn’t just India’s national bird - it’s a symbol of grace and pride. In this collection, you’ll spot ethereal marble peacock motifs on the attires inspired by statues at Baroda’s Laxmi Vilas. The designers didn’t stop at painting feathers; they metamorphosed the curves into sequined appliqués, beaded outlines, and precision-cut collars.
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Jali work feels like tracery on stone, imagine how it will look on thread. With the beautiful and balanced blend of tiny cutouts, layered mesh, and 3D, the designer recreated that airy lattice effect. It’s as if the fabric breathes. And those jewel-like embroideries? They glint under spotlights like real gemstones - emerald, ruby, sapphire, each color picked from vintage jewels in museum showcases.
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It’s not just Baroda and Jaipur. Udaipur’s lakeside palace hues inspired soft aqua tones, while Hyderabad’s Golconda shine as metallic accents. You’ll spot subtle tributes to forgotten murals in their designs: hand-painted motifs of lotus flowers, dancing sculptures carved into palace walls, even touches of royal frescoes in every intricate bead.
Well, the answer is months of pedantic handiwork. Falguni Shane Peacock makes sure to promote artisans who are the real unsung heroes. Zardozi, gota patti (tiny ribbon appliqués), and mirror work intertwine in a symphony of textures.
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Sartorial spellcaster Mohit Rai pulls the splendour together by pairing layered necklaces inspired by antique temple jewels with chic modern clutches. Hair is often swept back to let those jeweled collars shine, and makeup stays fresh with dew-kissed skin and a hint of rose on the lips. It’s classy without feeling overdone.
Everything about the collection feels timeless yet fresh. You could attend a royal ceremony in the 1800s wearing one of these, or a modern gala in Mumbai. The silhouettes - architectural capes, fluttered skirts, corseted waists - honor tradition. But subtle tailoring tweaks and playful color blocking keep it from feeling like costume drama. It’s ethnic couture with a twist.
In a world chasing fast fashion, Raj Mahal Bijoux nudges us to show that slow, deliberate craftsmanship is a call to celebrate heritage, to drape stories, not just garments.
Falguni Shane Peacock’s Raj Mahal Bijoux impeccably balances grandiose history with runway sass. It’s an invitation to step into India’s royal saga - where every stitch is a story and every silhouette echoes the royal splendor of palace halls. So next time you dress up, ask yourself: what legacy am I wearing today?
