RITU KUMAR
Whether reworking an ancient weave or re-imagining a modern palette for an ancient design, Padmashri Awardee Ritu Kumar's collections showcase the astringent futurism that characterises her brand 'Ritu Kumar' — steeped in ancient textile traditions gleaned through decades of research and academia
on Indian
craftsman-
ship.
For almost
five
decades,
Kumar has
worked
with
craftsmen
in villages,
contempo-
rising and
evolving
textiles to
meet
evolving
needs of
the global
Indian
woman.
And while
she spent
her life
reviving
crafts into
wearable
modern
silhouettes
across the
spectrum of couture bridal and ready-to-wear, her son Amrish Kumar keeps it young and relevant at 'Ritu Kumar Label'.
Few know her journey, which began with a few workers and two tables in a small room, would culminate into a number of flagship stores nationwide! After graduating in '64, Kumar studied Theatre and History of Art Briarcliff College and returned to India where she
enrolled herself in Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art to study museology. ''Here I discovered forms of dying embroideries and prints,'' she explains. Yet Fashion was something she stumbled upon, literally. ''I stumbled upon a former Dutch colony on the outskirts of Calcutta where their art of printing was being wiped out.
Their
talent was
hindered
by lack of
employ
-ment;
there was
no retail
space, for
one. I was
keenly
interested
and
designed
blocks
with which
craftsmen
printed
saris. That's
how my
first
collection
was
launched!''
It sold well
and she
opened a
retail
space,
following
which she visited museums worldwide to purchase printing blocks for her craftsmen. Business expanded steadily in India and overseas… to the point where the French government bestowed "chevalier des arts et des lettres" in recognition of her contribution to Indian textile crafts and traditional techniques. In 2013, she was bestowed the Padma Shri Award — the country's fourth highest civilian award for her exceptional and distinguished service in the field of fashion, textile and craftsmanship. She was also honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by National Institute of Fashion Technology and 'Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award' by the PHD-Chamber of Commerce. She has recently been awarded the 'Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award' for her achievement and contribution in the field of Fashion. Mother Teresa, Birju Maharaj and Pt. Hari Prasad were previous recipients of this award.