My personal style is A blend of bold and minimal aesthetics, shaped by a deep appreciation for indigenous craftsmanship, natural materials, and thoughtful design. Often expressed through a tone-on-tone palette, I’m drawn to artisanal clothing, statement jewellery, and accessories that add a unique touch. The silhouette is key for me —I seek pieces with a relaxed fit that reflect the ease I value in my own creations, favouring versatile, non-conformist designs. While I lean towards the monochrome palette, I enjoy experimenting with styles, frequently adding androgynous elements for a distinctive look.
My personal style icons: My Nani (maternal grandmother) Prabhjot Kaur who is an acclaimed poet and Padmashri; and my mum, artist Anupama Singh. Both are my ultimate style icons. I love their effortless approach, it is simple yet innovative, blending tradition with modern. Both were hugely artistic and dress so elegantly, embodying grace and a je ne sais quoi. Their love for saris and weaves is what led me to explore that in my craft and their love for statement fashion jewellery from Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel exposed me to the beauty of design from around the world at a young age.
An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me: There are so many, but if I had to choose, it would be my Nani’s Phulkari bagh — that was passed down to my mom, and now to me. It holds so much sentiment and value not just because of its antique value, its beauty and intricate craftsmanship, but also because it is a reminder of our legacy, of who we are and where we come from. All the women in one village would come together to embroider the bagh and it would be then offered to the next bride in that village as a token of love from the entire community. And of course, my Rick Owens black pants. I wear them everywhere I go; they’re my go-to piece.
My favourite souvenir from my travels is: A six-foot-tall metal and bone inlay pottery urn from Morroco. Something I picked up 15 years ago at the bazaars of Marrakech. It is so unique and grand, and commands such presence in my new home. It is a real marvel and the strength in its fragility is inspiring.
The best gift I have received: I’d say my children. They are truly the greatest gift from god. Among the other cherished gifts would be my mum’s paintings— which adorn my home and my dad (former chief of the army staff General JJ Singh) autobiography ‘A Soldier’s General’, they hold so much meaning for me and have such great life lessons and teachings. Subscriptions of Businessoffashion.com and MindValley.com that I gifted myself have been invaluable to me.
The best gift I have given: One of the best gift I’ve given was a flying lesson to my son Suveer on his 20th birthday. He got to fly a plane on his own with an instructor. It was an exhilarating experience that allowed him to step into something exciting and ew. I'm glad that I could help him achieve that sense of adventure and freedom through that experience. For my daughter Seerat’s 21st birthday, I gifted her a video that comprised of photos and wishes from her friends and teachers right from when she was in playschool as a brilliant memory of the impact she had on these people and how they shaped her life.
The last thing I bought: It was something close to my heart—textiles that tell a story. I recently treated myself to a beautiful patchwork kantha stole from Weavers Studio, I also recently splurged on some beautifully handwoven jackets from Paiwand, made from waste materials. These contemporary pieces are perfect for the coming winter season, and they’re designed to be worn again and again for years to come.
The last book I read: ‘The Women I Could Be’ by Sangita Jogi, a thoughtful gift from a friend. I also recently read ‘The War Works Hard’ by Dunya Mikhail, which I picked up on my summer trip to New York which is a poignant book of poems reflecting the impact of war from a refugee’s perspective.
The last film I loved: The last films I absolutely loved were ‘My Octopus Teacher’, it is something that speaks of resilience, compassion and love every human must watch how, and ‘Laapataa Ladies’ that is quite an incredible honest ale from India.
My Spotify list would include these songs:
Twist in my sobriety Tanita Tikaram
Come away with me Norah Jones
Yeh mera dewana pan hai by Susheela Raman
Eye in the sky Allan Parson Project
Havana Camilla Cabello
Lost cause Billie Ellish
Saansein Prateek Kuhad
Aaj jane ki zid na karo Farida Khanum
Woh jo hum mein by Abida Parveen
Jhuki jhuki si Nazar Jagjit Singh
Loosing my religion REM
IDasht e tanhayi Meesha Safi
Bibi sanem janem Zeb and Haniya
La vie en rose Edith Piaf
Bas tere karke by Wazir Parat
My beauty/ wellness routine is: It's simple and holistic— balanced home-cooked meals, skincare basics like a good face wash, serum, sunscreen and daily mindfulness through meditation and yoga. A session of Mindvalley in the morning is a must! I stay hydrated through the day and try to get a full-body massage every alternate day in the comfort of my home.
My favourite holiday destination: Coming from a fauji (defence) background I don’t have a single favourite holiday destination—as I am quite the nomad and just love exploring the world. For me, every trip is a chance to discover a new country and people.
I love to collect: I love going to flea markets and concept stores to browse and collect antique and modern silver jewellery, artefacts, art and textiles. I also have a crazy collection of jackets.
My fridge always has: Nimbu paani, eggs, fruits and French cheese - I absolutely love cheese—and wine, my favourite kind of alcohol. It’s a bit of an unusual mix, but somehow, it just works for me.
Minimalism or maximalism: I’m drawn to minimalist aesthetics and am a minimalist at heart, yet I’m a maximalist when it comes to experiencing life to the fullest.
My home looks like: It’s rooted in simplicity. It’s a space that functions as a living respite and returns me to a sense of balance which gives me a deeper, profound experience of the present. It's quite eclectic with a modern interior, filled with natural light and adorned with artefacts art and books that reflect my journey and experiences. Each piece tells a story, creating a space that feels both personal and artful.
My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: It's something embodied by my brand, Urvashi Kaur, which offers modern, ageless, and seasonless clothing crafted from indigenous weaves and craft techniques that celebrate our heritage and identity. Our designs are functional, versatile, and rooted in mindful, slow fashion, freeing us from societal constructs and allowing us to feel authentically comfortable in our skin.
My best ideas come when: My best ideas usually come to me in the early morning, just as I’m waking up. Just this morning, for instance, I was watching a course on the mind, brain, and body. They showed how thoughts actually look in the brain, mapping them in a form that resembled a tree, with each branch symbolizing memories and the roots being the original experiences. This sparked an idea to translate that visual into a block print— for my future collection capturing the essence of memories and experiences that are stored in our minds and body in a tangible way.
The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: I'd love to use it for a one-way ticket to a new place — with no return date set. Or maybe I'd invest in a beautifully crafted heritage textile or sari or an artefact. Maybe a ticket to the Savage Beauty exhibit at the V&A or a ticket to the Met Gala.
My idea of happiness is: For me, happiness is found in the simple joys of life— playing croquet or board games with friends and family, trekking through the mountains, spending time with my dogs, or dancing freely. It’s all about those moments of connection, movement, and shared laughter.