Jaipur, in more than pink

Rose-coloured walls, deep blue, green and warm gold: a personal way of reading the city through colour.

Begin with the pink

Rajasthan Tourism links Jaipur’s pink identity to Maharaja Ram Singh’s preparations for the Prince of Wales’s visit in 1876, describing pink as a colour of hospitality. It is a memorable starting point for looking at the city, but not the only colour worth noticing.

Blue has its own story

The V&A describes India’s long use of indigo, a dye derived from plants in the Indigofera family, and documents dyers working in Kala Dera, Rajasthan. A blue textile is not automatically indigo-dyed, however. Colour is something we can see; the dye process is something to ask about.

Build your own colour notebook

On a walk, look for contrasts rather than a perfect matching set: a warm wall beside a dark doorway, greenery against stone, or a bright fabric against a quiet background. Photograph colours where permitted, or simply write down the combinations you remember. This is a personal design exercise, not a fixed historical palette. Your version of a place can begin with an unexpected detail.

Bring the idea into an outfit

Start with a shade you already wear. Deep blue can anchor pink; a warm neutral gives a bright floral more space. For a gentler combination, repeat one small accent across a printed piece and a plain accessory. For a bolder one, choose two distinct colours and keep the shapes uncomplicated. There is no rule that every part must match.

Let the print lead

Our own colour edit pairs rose, deep blue, leaf green and warm gold. These are styling suggestions inspired by looking closely, rather than claims about the natural dyes in our garments. Choose the combination that feels like you, then use the product gallery to examine the actual print before enquiring.