CHANDNI ROYALE - WITH JUST JULLY
Chandni Royale was a Diwali celebration imagined and creatively directed under Room Service: The Design Hotline. Dilli Dilli, a restaurant inspired by the spirit of Old and New Delhi by Chef Gaurav Anand and Chef Vipul Gupta, brought me on to lead creative direction for their space and this special Diwali event with Just Jully.
If you know Jully Patel, or have seen any of her work, you know she embodies young, electric energy. She is one of the great Indian content creators with thoughtful taste and an aura that feels both glamorous and grounded. It was so important that the energy of the night felt like an extension of her. Every element of Chandni Royale was designed to reflect her persona and mirror the aura she brings into every space she enters.
It was also very important to me that every element tell a story that felt rooted in Delhi yet translated through a contemporary, design-forward lens.
Theme
The theme, Chandni Royale, took inspiration from Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s most iconic market but not the one bustling with vendors in daylight. It was reimagined after hours, when the noise fades and the alleys are lit by fragments of moonlight and flickering candlelight. Guests were meant to feel as though they had wandered into a Chandni Chowk alleyway and discovered a hidden soiree where tradition had taken on an after-dark alter ego.
It was about the vibrant chaos that defines India, all expressed at the event through the five senses.
Food & Activations
Working alongside Abla Atoubi was an absolute dream. She is truly the fairy godmother, with magic hands that can turn any vision into reality. Abla led the production, vendor coordination, and tablescapes, ensuring that every layered element of the evening came to life with absolute precision. The food, curated from Dilli Dilli’s menu, became part of the design itself being a true homage to Delhi, both old and new.
Small bites circulated through the crowd while a live Daulat Ki Chaat station sat beside a layered dessert display. The server was draped in a rich tablecloth and connected seamlessly to the serpentine table, creating a presentation that was theatrical and playful, blurring the line between décor and dining. He piped fresh Daulat Ki Chaat, finishing each bowl with black jalebi wrapped in silver foil.
Guests also experienced a live paan activation, where the server prepared flaming paan on the spot.
Decor & Lighting
The decor leaned into a concept of rehearsed chaos. The atmosphere was moody yet rich, spontaneous yet intentional. Florals by Raffy Blooms Magic echoed depth and sensuality, paired with unexpected elements like fruits and vegetables. The rich hues from pomegranates, eggplants, grapes, and papayas became part of the visual language. The papayas in particular added a warm, intimate pop, giving the tablescape a sultry glow. We took advantage of Dilli Dilli’s lower set ceilings by designing the florals to reach upwards, drawing the eye and creating a sense of grandeur and layering all the way to the top.
Lighting played a key role in capturing the essence of Chandni, which not only refers to Chandni Chowk but also means “moonlight.” We put a twist on that dual meaning, using soft candlelight and mirrored reflections to echo the glow of the moon throughout the space.
Cocktails
The evening’s offering included three distinct cocktails that reflected different facets of the theme. Old India, is a smoked bourbon cocktail that is rich, moody, and layered, evoking the nostalgia of Delhi’s old-world charm. Golden Hour is a tequila and mango chutney concoction that captures the vibrancy and spice of India. Old India and Golden Hour are part of Dilli Dilli’s regular menu, so definitely check it out when you visit!
I really wanted to take things a step further and incorporate something Diwali-esque, so I came up with a new signature drink that was introduced for the night — The Diya Cocktail. The idea played on the tradition of oiling Diyas before they’re lit during Diwali. The head bartender, Ariel at Dilli Dilli did such a wonderful job bringing that vision to life, crafting a smooth gin and citrus based cocktail topped with a dill flavored oil that floated gently on the surface, as if guests were oiling their own Diya. It was a small, playful nod to tradition that brought meaning and symbolism into the celebration.
Music & Scent
The five senses aren’t complete without music and scent, both of which played a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere. The night featured the incredible talents of Nihal Singh, whose live tabla performance blended beautifully with DJ Rishi Rex’s set. Together they created an energetic rhythm that moved through the room all night.
In a spontaneous moment, Areublue joined the DJ booth, layering in his signature sound and giving the music an unexpected edge that electrified the crowd.
Lush incense burned softly in the background, grounding the experience and tying all five senses together. What guests could see, hear, taste, touch, and smell were all carefully considered to work together.
Dress Code
The dress code was designed to complete the narrative, inviting guests to unleash their boldest selves. The theme encouraged layered opulence, statement accessories, and Indian attire dialed all the way up. It was about maximalist expression and playful confidence. The crowd delivered! Jewel tones, silks, pearls, metallics, and structured suiting filled the room, each guest interpreting the theme through their own lens. The men especially stood out with layered jewels and fine accessories in a way that felt effortlessly masculine, redefining what festive dressing can look like. Telling you, guests didn’t just attend the party, they became a part of its design story!
Guest Takeaways
To end the night, Jully added a thoughtful touch by sending guests home with engraved compact mirrors by Raina Abraham, a nod to the theme of chandni. The circular silver mirrors, reminiscent of the moon, were beautiful keepsakes that guests went home with.
It was such a pleasure working with Abla Atoubi and Jully Patel, all of the amazing vendors, and the lovely team at Dilli Dilli on this event. The night surpassed our wildest dreams and became one to remember.
Below are a few images by photographer Farhat Sikder who documented the evening so beautifully, translating the electric energy, color, and spirit of Chandni Royale into every image. ✨
I also had the joy of dressing my husband, my brother, and my sister-in-law, making sure each of them brought their own flair to the night.
For myself, I leaned into my signature aesthetic with a sleek sculptural bun accented with pearls, layered jewels, and a sharp black blazer set.
Sharing some images from my phone camera roll below.
