Cover Rakhee Shah shares her insider guide to Jaipur
Rakhee Shah shares her insider guide to Jaipur
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Rakhee Shah, founder of sustainable fashion brand Maisha Concept, has spent eight years returning to Jaipur—working with artisans and deepening her connection to its textile traditions. Here, she shares the places she returns to in the Indian city
For Rakhee Shah, founder of sustainable fashion label Maisha Concept, Jaipur is far more than a sourcing destination. Over the past eight years, the Indian city has become a second home that has not only shaped her collections, but the very philosophy behind her brand.
Born and raised in Kenya to a family of Indian heritage, Rakhee grew up surrounded by textiles through her father's fabric business. She launched Maisha Concept in 2017, naming it after the Swahili word for “giving life”—a reflection of her mission to breathe new life into traditional craftsmanship while celebrating the people and stories behind it.
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Above The Aura Crossover Blouse and Magic Skirt from Maisha Concept
The Aura Crossover Blouse and Magic Skirt from Maisha Concept
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Working directly with artisan communities across India, Maisha creates limited-run clothing and homeware rooted in time-honoured techniques. Rather than chasing seasonal trends, the brand champions slow design, natural fibres and thoughtful collaboration with the makers who preserve these traditions.
Long before Maisha was created, Rakhee was travelling across Africa, where she grew up, working alongside artisans and textile mills. Those early experiences taught her that craftsmanship was never simply about the finished object. “Craft is never just about the final product, it's about people, stories, and time,” she says.
It was in Jaipur, however, that those ideas found their fullest expression.
Above Rakhee with family members of the artisans she works with
Rakhee with family members of the artisans she works with
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“When I came to Jaipur, something shifted,” she recalls. “It wasn’t immediate. It took years. Many trips. Walking through villages, sitting on workshop floors, watching artisans work in silence, in rhythm. There was no rush, no urgency—just patience, precision, and generations of knowledge flowing through their hands.”
Those little moments eventually became the foundation of Maisha. Rather than chasing seasonal trends, Shah built her brand around relationships with artisans, traditional techniques and thoughtful production. “Maisha was really born ... in choosing to take the longer path—to build relationships before building collections. To understand the hands before creating the product.”
Above The flower market
The flower market
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Today, Jaipur continues to shape every aspect of her work. Time spent with block printers, weavers and makers has changed how she thinks about materials, sourcing and design. “When you see the effort, the time, the skill that goes into creating something by hand, you can't help but design differently. You become more thoughtful. More intentional.”
The city itself has changed, too—at least in the way she experiences it. What once felt exhilarating and unfamiliar has become somewhere she returns to instinctively, with favourite cafés, hotels and workshops, and long-standing relationships with the artisans she works alongside. “Jaipur, for me, has shifted from being a place I visit... to a place I belong to, in a way.”
Here, Rakhee shares the places she returns to time and again—from flower markets and heritage hotels to textile districts, artisan workshops and the restaurants that keep drawing her back.
Above The City Palace in Jaipur features a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles
The City Palace in Jaipur features a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles
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First-timers in Jaipur should begin by …
taking it slow. Start somewhere grounding and timeless, such as the City Palace or Hawa Mahal, for a sense of the city’s history and architecture without the chaos.
A cultural experience I return to is …
the phool mandi, or flower market. Often missed by tourists, it requires an early start but the reward is magical: the smell of roses and the sight of marigolds wrapped in sari scraps. /break
Above A demonstration of block printing
A demonstration of block printing
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For textiles rooted in craft traditions, visit …
Kishanpole Bazar. Its markets offer beautiful bandhej tie-dye fabrics, block prints and more, often at wholesale prices.
To understand the process behind various textiles and crafts, head to …
Nila House, a living ecosystem where artisans, designers and creatives come together, and where handmade techniques unfold with care and nuance.
Multi-label stores of note include …
Jaipur Modern and The Palace Atelier, where you’ll find fashion, jewellery and home accessories. Hotel Narain Niwas Palace also has a shopping arcade with boutiques showcasing local craftsmanship, including Andraab and Jaipur Rugs. /break
Above Rakhee Shah overlooking the iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
Rakhee Shah overlooking the iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
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For antiques or objects with character, I look to …
Indian Art House, a family-run, three-storey house-turned-shop filled with textiles, sculptures, old paintings and vintage movie posters.
If I’m bringing something home from Jaipur, it’s usually…
Something for my home, like a handmade rug, block printed cotton quilts for my daughters, or some stunning cutlery from ECRU. I also stock up on all my spices and nuts when in Jaipur and get a bagful of books from all these amazing Indian authors.
A stay that captures Jaipur’s spirit is …
Samode Haveli, with the charm, history and elegance the city is known for. For palace living in the city, there is also Rajmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur, a former royal residence built in 1729.
Above Enjoying chai on the streets of Jaipur
Enjoying chai on the streets of Jaipur
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Make time for a meal at …
Tapri – The Tea House, for dal pakwan, a dish of spiced lentils with crisp flatbread, and chaat, or Indian street snacks; the Johri Jaipur for a Wes Anderson‑worthy setting and Baby Palak and Paan Patta Chaat I highly recommend; and Padmaa Haveli for a strong Rajasthani thali meal. The Sarvato is also a must. It is located inside the City Palace on the roof with the most royal views by night. You get to experience a six-course Rajasthani tasting meal surrounded by candles and the palace itself.
The best place to have chai is located at …
the streets of Jaipur. [My] top choice is Samrat right in the city. It is the best chai I have ever had. It’s also just special watching them make the chai in front of you.
Jaipur feels most magical at …
sunset, up at Nahargarh Fort, watching the city glow from above as the light softens and everything slows down. But equally, there’s something incredibly special about the early mornings in the old city of Jaipur—walking through its quiet streets before it wakes, with only the chaiwalas setting up, and slowly witnessing the rhythm of the city come to life. It’s in those still, unhurried moments that Jaipur feels most intimate.
