MY FAV.DESIGNER RITU KUMAR

Ritu Kumar is synonym of the Indian fashion industry; she created inroads to the world of fashion with her own recipe of blending tradition and modernity to produce the finest example of the work of art. Ritu Kumar was born in Amritsar, Punjab on November 11, 1944 and graduated from the Lady Irwin College, New Delhi in the year 1964, later on she went to Briarcliff College, New York, United States of America in 1966 for higher studies. In the late 60s Ritu Kumar began her venture with a couple of hand block printers and two tablets in a small village near Kolkata, with the passage of time they produced some of the India’s most exquisite garments and accessories in cotton, silk and leather.                                                                                      These ranges embrace beautifully both traditional textile crafts and the lineage of Indian design culture.Ritu has demonstrated quite effectively that hand made products can be even more glamorous than those produced by the machines. Ritu Kumar’s specialty is traditional Indian clothes, that depict heavily the textile and embroidery heritage of India and remains models of their own kind. She has developed different style for European buyers. Her Indo-West fusion wear has all the paraphernalia of block prints, embroidery and craft inputs on a western style. Ritu Kumar presented India’s rich cultural heritage before the whole world in such a way that it would be useful to the Indian craftsmen and the modern customers worldwide simultaneously.

Early life and education

A native of Amritsar, Ritu attended Lady Irwin College, (University of Delhi) in New Delhi, graduating in 1964,^[1] and Briarcliff College,New York, USA in 1966.^[2]

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Career

Kumar has been designing the wardrobes comprising swimwear, eveningwear, traditional Indian wear, casual wear, formal evening gowns; of the three winning Miss Indias, for their participation in International Beauty Pageants (Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific respectively ). Ritu’s outfits have been patronized by style icons such as late Princess Diana and Jemima Khan.^[3]

Kumar co-authored a book “Costumes and Textiles of Royal India” published by Christies in 1999, which chronicles the history of textiles and art design in India.

Kumar has opened a new flagship store in North America in The Mall at Oak Tree in Edison, New Jersey.

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Personal life

Her son Ashvin Kumar is director, whose has made films like Road to Ladakh (2002) and short film Little Terrorist (2004), which was nominated for the 2004 Academy Award for Live Action Short Film,^[4] and in which she did the costume design

Fashion designer Ritu Kumar launches store in Surat

Indian fashion icon Ritu Kumar launches a franchisee in Surat, which is a treat for all fashion lovers. Located in the city of Surat in Gujarat, the merchandise on display offers variety and range that has universal appeal.

Ritu Kumar, one of India’s foremost designers is already known to the world for her unique style, reflecting the ancient traditions of Indian craftsmanship in a contemporary vocabulary. 

While Ritu Kumar’s forte lies in traditional Indian clothes that draw heavily on the textile and embroidery heritage of India, she has also evolved another style for the young buyers, a collection that in her words has “redefined traditional handwriting to meet the changing needs of the new generation.

In 2002 Ritu Kumar, joined by her son Amrish, launched a sub brand – Label, Ritu Kumar. This is aimed at the young global Indian woman with a contemporary lifestyle. 

The following collections are available at the store:

Label by Ritu Kumar: 

The latest collection in the store will be the Autumn Winter 2012 collection. This collection is inspired by a geometric experiment. With elements of phulkari, lego blocks, variety of geometric weaves, unique plastic placements, and of course signature prints, the collection embodies wispy feminine shapes with a touch of modern glamour.

Straight jackets, structured dresses, playful tees in dupion, jersey, denim, silk and cotton fabrics form the core of the collection. The colors are bold ranging from black and silver to bright reds and oranges, to blush pink and mauve, to green and indigo. The prices start at Rs. 1600 and goes upto Rs. 12,000. The majority of the products are between Rs 2000 – Rs 3500.

Ritu Kumar Classic and Contemporary:

Classic caters to a more conservative and mature demographic, whereas contemporary is the younger traditional clothing with more fitted and adventurous styles. RK has a range of pastel summer salwaar sets in cottons and also soothing cotton georgettes. Prices range from Rs 2500 – Rs 10,000.

Ri:

It is the bridal range, which offers the complete bridal trousseau with delicate hand worked salwaars, churidaars, sarees and exotic lehengas in turquoise, red, emerald greens, pinks and other colors. These are embellished pieces from Rs.10, 000 to approximately Rs.100, 000.

Accessories available at the store include silk scarves, stoles, bags, wallets, and purses and beautiful hand embroidered evening bags. 

Grand Finale Designer Ritu Kumar at Banglore Fashion Week Summer Showers 2013

RITU KUMAR COLLECTION