A STYLE ICON FOR THE AGES

It is believed that Gayatri Devi’s sense of style was deeply influenced by that of her mother’s and grandmother’s. The Maharani quotes both their advice on fashion in her memoir A Princess Remembers. One such piece of advice comes from her grandmother, which states: “Never wear emeralds with a green sari as I had, they look so much better with pink.” Writer Bethany Trepanier writes: “These lessons passed on by the women in her family contributed to Gayatri Devi’s immaculate taste that was reflected throughout her life.”

Gayatri Devi’s standard attire of soft pastel shade chiffon saris paired with long-sleeved blouses, and a string of white pearls became a personification of traditional Indian elegance. Her minimal makeup complemented with a dash of carefully chosen shade of lipstick also accentuated her style statement.

Interestingly, fashion designer Sabyasachi created five limited-edition saris inspired by the Maharani for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. As was preferred by the Maharani, he produced saris in shades of soft creams, pinks and blues using fine French fabrics such as organza, satin and tulle and paired them with satin blouses of ten-inch sleeves.

Trepanier writes,

‘Throughout the years, her style remained simple yet exquisitely intricate. She maintained a regal look without being covered in jewels. She was nonetheless particular about how she presented herself: hair coiffed to perfection in cascading waves, eyes minimally touched by mascara, lips accentuated by a deep red stain, and pearls adorning her long, elegant neck. No matter the number of years that passed, the Maharani remained an ageless beauty.’ Her flawless sense of taste will inspire legions of women in generations to come.