Ritu Kumar

(Penguin Petit)

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I would just like to be remembered as someone who came into this world, looked at beautiful textiles and created enduring designs.’

The beauty behind Ritu Kumar’s creations is how she marries age-old weaves and embroidery with modern cuts and silhouettes, making India one of the few cultures that haven’t fallen completely under the homogenizing spell of western fashion.

However, what is actually inspiring about Kumar’s journey is how it has taken her reserves of patience, tenacity, ingenuity, skill, knowledge and support to build both the brand and the documentation of her crafts. From working with four block-printers and two tables in a nondescript village near Kolkata to achieving international fame, the growth of Ritu Kumar’s label has been parallel and integral to the journey of the Indian fashion industry.

In this inspiring profile, Gunjan Jain uncovers what it means to be Ritu Kumar and how to stay moored in an industry as fickle as the Indian fashion industry.