The Exquisite Shoe Story of a Royal Prince who chose to be a ❝regular❞ person as well.
December 20, 2024
The privilege to talk with The Prince of Udaipur—Experiences like this may be tiny (in length!), but they can stick. They remind me why I love what I do!
The fact that he is the scion of the world’s oldest-serving dynasty (with a rich history spanning 1500 years) has been much remarked upon; the fact he is also the most deferential, less so!
I expected to share words with Maharaj Kumar Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar: The head of ultra-luxury hotels residing in palaces precision-engineered over centuries, now pixelated by visitors to make ‘gram followers phone-punishingly jealous.
But I met Sirius of the esteemed Mewar dynasty, who takes great pride in humbly honoring the powerful legacy of his lineage. A character that elucidates why Kumar Sahib serenely overshadows the smorgasbord of royal personalities Rajasthan is brimming with.
A lot has been written and filmed about the marvels of his world records (eight world records!), the complexities of his position (from heading various foundations and Hotels to associating with social groups), and the luscious royalty of his lifestyle (his ❝Thar❞ collection, et cetera).
That is all magnificent and bears repeating. But I strived to dig beneath that and see the person behind the persona through the nuances of his style.
From the opening beats of our conversation, it was clear that Kumar Sahib wasn’t about to be constrained by the narrow parameters of modern trends and styles.
How can a Prince be a slave to fashion, splurging money on designer-label kits, showy accessories, and overpriced, faddish ❝Luxury❞ tat?
He kept wearing conventional Mojaris when everyone else (even other royals!) had switched to sneakers. It was a brave move and reflected what Royal Opulence means to him.
No statement pieces or fashion-forward silhouettes, The Prince prefers airing in the deep patina of character and personality on an eccentric, stealth-wealth dressing.
My conversations with Kumar Sahib center on his footwear preferences, dressing rules, and the character he inhabits.
Why Mojaris/Pagarkis?
Whether the white double-breasted suit or a no-frills red kurta, your fit changes, but Mojaris (Pagarkis) endures!
Nobody wore Mojaris with quite as much panache as you! And we love that. But where does this (the preference for Mojaris) come from? And is it supposed to convey something?
We carry our heritage, our roots with us! We also respectfully wear what has been part of our heritage: that’s where the age-old Mojaris come from. Yes, it is integral to our identity, our USP as Mewaris.
I love Mojaris: soft on the feet, comfortable for long hours, embroidered and embellished in dazzling colors.
With our formal and casual ethnic wear, it goes perfectly well: adding a dash of style (which, may be, sometimes shocking!)
That’s the treat of the timeless Mojaris.
Any style trait (or piece) you inherited*
*particularly from Shri Ji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur.
Dignity and grace, at all times, with all people. It is the axiom of our House of Mewar, which traces its history back to 1500 years!
It is how you carry yourself, communicate, and interact with people around you. Then what you wear is, to some extent, become secondary; your style supplements your personality, and the positivity you carry is what distinguishes you.
I am always guided by this thought to respect those we are meeting, or working with, regardless of their stature. Being at your best, your most sincere and truthful best is what I have learnt over these years.
Your shoe rules? Dos and don’ts in general?
How a king dresses has, for centuries, been a window into his personality and priorities.
What dressing rules you set to take control of that communication?
One can go on creating, writing, and rewriting all the rules; what is important is with a sense of confidence. Out of the box is what I seek and admire!
Once again, we dress according to the occasion and event, and in sync with the weather. If there is a cardinal rule, it is one of being completely comfortable in what you wear and slip on, through the day.
I would say to your readers: Let your clothes, footwear, and accessories reflect the colors of joy and hope and be driven by the positive aura of your personality. Everything else falls into place.
SPECIAL THANKS
Biju P
LRSM’s Secretariat
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