A crisp white chikankari gown, dense hand embroidery, and a train that looked like it could stretch across an entire ballroom – Princess Gauravi Kumari clearly understood the assignment when she walked into Cartier’s Diwali celebration in Singapore.
Amit Aggarwal posted photos of Gauravi’s ensemble on Instagram on November 12, giving fashion watchers an up-close look at the serious handiwork woven into the piece. The entrepreneur and member of Jaipur’s erstwhile royal family showed up wearing a bespoke ivory creation by designer Amit Aggarwal. it was the sweeping drama happening behind her that truly stopped people in their tracks While the front of the dress had more than enough intricate detail to keep cameras clicking. Hosted at Jiak Kim House right along the Singapore River, the festive soirée was decked out in lush marigold installations, soft flowing drapes, and warm, golden lighting. Gauravi walked in alongside her brother, Sawai Padmanabh Singh – widely known as Pacho – who kept things sharp and regal in an emerald green velvet bandhgala paired with tailored black trousers. Rather than sticking to a predictable silhouette, the designer took heritage chikankari and bent it into something decidedly modern. The pearl-white gown featured an asymmetric neckline – one shoulder left bare, while the opposite side rose into a sharp, sculpted pleated drape. Fine floral embroidery traced diagonally across the bodice, seamlessly colliding with the metallic corded textures that have long been Aggarwal’s calling card. A cinched, corset-style waist anchored the structure, effortlessly merging the fluid grace of a traditional saree drape with the sharp lines of a red-carpet evening gown. Seen head-on, the outfit was all about architectural pleats and rich threadwork. The moment she turned around, though, the entire mood shifted.
Also read | Gen Z is not saving chikankari, ajrakh, kundan for weddings: It is turning Indian clothes and jewellery into an everyday fashion statement Earlier reporting noted: In a quote card shared with the photos, Amit Aggarwal said he loved how naturally Gauravi connected with the ensemble, letting the intricacy of the craft speak for itself. He also said, “Gauravi has a very distinct presence, beautifully bringing together the grace of her heritage and the sensibility of a modern woman. That structured bodice gave way to a gossamer-sheer pleated drape that looped lightly around Gauravi’s arm before cascading down into an extraordinarily long train. As the translucent fabric pooled across the floor, tiny flecks of shimmer caught the ambient light with every step. The interplay between the two halves made the whole look sing: the dense, tactile embroidery up top balanced out the weightless movement and theatrical sweep trailing behind her. Zooming in on the craftsmanship only made it more impressive. Behind-the-scenes snapshots shared by Aggarwal captured karigars bent over frames, painstakingly stitching tiny beads and white thread into raised floral motifs, delicate jaali latticework, and crisp geometric borders running all the way down the skirt. When a gown carries that much visual weight, piling on loud styling only gets in the way. Gauravi wisely kept everything else clean and effortless, pulling her hair back into a sleek, side-parted low bun paired with dewy skin, warm bronzed cheeks, and a soft rose lip. Her jewels, fittingly, came straight from Cartier – sparkling diamond drop earrings, a fine chain holding a vivid green emerald pendant, and a bold diamond ring that tied the whole look together without competing with the dress. Aggarwal also reflected on what it meant to dress her for the night, noting how naturally she balances the poise of her royal roots with the ease of a modern woman. For the designer, working with chikankari was a chance to filter a centuries-old Indian craft through his signature futuristic lens – and judging by the reaction to Gauravi’s Singapore entrance, that gamble paid off handsomely. She attended Cartier’s recent Diwali party in Singapore in a custom ivory gown by Amit Aggarwal. That handwork flows all the way down into a column skirt with geometric borders and fine threadwork. I felt chikankari, with its rich history and timeless beauty, offered a beautiful canvas to reinterpret this age-old craft through our contemporary design language.”
Earlier reporting noted: At a Diwali party in Singapore, Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur royal family showed up in a white chikankari gown with a train that just would not end Princess Gauravi Kumari, entrepreneur and member of the former royal family of Jaipur, had one of the standout fashion moments of the Diwali season. Also read | Inside Jaipur’s royal Diwali at City Palace: Princess Gauravi Kumari, Padmanabh Singh, and Diya Kumari mark festival with traditional rituals Earlier reporting noted: In behind-the-scenes photos shared by the designer in his Instagram post, you can see artisans hand-stitching white threads and micro-beads on a wooden embroidery hoop, building up medallion florals, latticework, and raised phanda textures.
