RITI RIHAR

BIRTH: XBYEHBER11, 1944

PLAIE BF
BIRTH: AHRITSAR,
PIXJAB
LABEL: RITI, LABEL


An icon of the Indian Fashion
industry and a frontrunner in establishing a position for India in
the global forum, Ritu Kumar's contribution has been
impeccable to the fashion fraternity, both nationally and
internationally. With almost five decades of work for display, the
designer excels in both traditional and western outfits, though
ethnic attires being her specialty. She was the first women to
bring the boutique culture to India, under the name "Ritu".
The gradual change in the fashion scenario has also lead
to a change of designs for her brand. She has kept in sync with
the varying times and has effectively brought creativity and
innovativeness with each collection. Ritu holds the status of
being a revivalist in the fashion scenario, which has successfully
bridged the gap between conservative and conventional
style. Ritu Kumar is credited as being one of the first Indian

designers who was catalytic in bringing a contemporary idiom to

several ancient skills and has been a strong force in marketing
them to a dynamic modern India. She began her work with four
hand-block printers and two tables in a small village near
Calcutta forty years ago, was the first woman to introduce the
'boutique` culture in India under the brand name 'Ritu`.
Ritu Kumar has a unique ability to evolve with each
collection into creative styling, translating textures and
embellishments into refreshingly new and unexpectedly
contemporary silhouettes, making her work particularly relevant
from India`s fashion point of worldview. She has also evolved
another style for the young buyer, a collection that in her words
has "redefined traditional handwriting to meet the changing
needs of the new generation. The inspiration of these garments
is basic Indian motifs, prints and embroideries but with the
usage of a wide range of western silhouettes mingled with
Indian styles.

EARLY LIFE
Ritu Kumar was born on 11th November 1944 in Amritsar,
Punjab. A native of Delhi, Ritu graduated from Lady Irwin

College in 1964 and did her higher education from Briarcliff

College, NY, USA in 1966. The ace designer had a humble
beginning in a small village, near Kolkata, in 1960, with hand
block printers and two tablets to flaunt about. With the passage
of years, fashion grew and so did her network.
From being a designer to an author, Ritu Kumar has been
the master of the game.

IAREER AXB SIIIESS
Starting at a smaller scale, Ritu Kumar has diversified her
works of art globally and has been the mentor of fashion in
India. Though she excels in contemporary and classic style, she
has also evolved indo-western fusion to attract the gamut of
European buyers. Some of her global achievements include the
wardrobes for Miss India, for participation in the International
beauty pageants like Miss Universe, Miss World & Miss Asia
Pacific, respectively.
Ritu Kumar is credited as being one of the first Indian
designers who was catalytic in bringing a contemporary idiom to
several ancient skills and has been a strong force in marketing
them to a dynamic modern India. She began her work with four
hand-block printers and two tables in a small village near
Calcutta forty years ago, was the first woman to introduce the

'boutique` culture in India under the brand name 'Ritu`. With a

background in an art history and musicology, which has
enriched her horizons, Ritu Kumar understands of ancient
designs and the innovative use of traditional crafts has created
a new classicism. And her forte lies in traditional Indian clothes
that draw heavily on the textile and embroidery heritage of
India.

Many times, Ritu has won the award for the Most
Outstanding Evening Gown in International pageants. She was
honored by the National Institute of Fashion Technology in
1998, with Lifetime Achievement Award. The same year saw
her receiving the Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award,
bestowed on her by the PHD - Chamber of Commerce. In the
year 2000, Ritu Kumar proved her metal once more and was
awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kingfisher
group of industries.

Ritu Kumar is a very well known face when it comes to
designing clothes. Ritu Kumar has been signed on by filmmaker
Deepa Mehta to design the looks for the cast of her film, based
on Salman Rushdie's award-winning novel Midnight's Children.

Ritu Kumar has previously worked on the designing of a short

film LITTLE TERRORIST. She does a lot of research in order to
give every character a different look. She is famous for giving
costumes an authentic feel.

BRAXB AXB ILIEXTELE
The brand "Ritu" has acquired great accolades
internationally. The designer has not only restrained her work to
the fashion industry, but has also dived into the other sectors
that offer luxury to the people. The brand also launched a
fragrance by the name "the tree of life". In April 2002, Ritu
Kumar launched her new sub brand, 'LABEL'. This is a
reflection of contemporary trends. 'LABEL' caters to modern
woman who is independent and confident. It is focuses on the
cut, color, drape and feel of the garment. The brand has made
a name for itself universally. It is fashionable, affordable and like
all Ritu Kumar products, it is of the highest quality. Ritu has also
brought out a book by the name "Costumes and Textiles of
Royal India." She has twelve outlets in India, which offer a
range of products from the conventional to the contemporary.