Ritu Kumar
Ritu Kumar is one of India’s leading designers and has developed a unique style of her own, reflecting the ancient traditions of Indian craftsmanship. With a background in Art History and Museology, Ritu’s understanding of ancient designs and the innovative use of traditional crafts has created a unique design aesthetic.
Ritu began her work with four hand-block printers and two tables in a small village near Calcutta forty years ago and was the first woman to introduce the ‘boutique’ culture in India under the brand name ‘Ritu.’ Today she has outlets in most of the cities in India. Ritu’s boutiques feature the very best of Indian design, with specially produced range of high fashion garments and accessories using silk, leather and cotton. Ritu’s range of western and Indian apparel is all about traditions and individual style, and women across the continents can easily identify with her vision.
She is credited as one of the first Indian designers who was instrumental in bringing a contemporary understanding to several ancient skills and has been a strong proponent of marketing them to a dynamic modern India.
Ritu has received numerous industry awards including the ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award’ for her achievements and contribution in the field of fashion as well as the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government in recognition of her contribution to Indian textile crafts and traditional techniques.