First Lady

Over the course of her five-decade-long career, celebrated designer Ritu Kumar has established herself not only as a savvy businesswoman, but as one of Indian fash ion’s mainstays, says Pramod Kumar KG

- Pramod Kumar KG

The story of Indian fashion is a tale of several registers of artisans, designers and manufacturers, whose trajectories form a much larger narrative. Looking at it from the outside, one could often mistake the wood for the trees, which tends to happen when contemporary filters of fashion recognise brands as a function and response of their retail or social media presence.

While this might be an accurate window for many, several reputable names have imbibed the business with a melange of experiences that shape their offerings across stores. Travel, research and fieldwork in less-than-salubrious surroundings are not the typical foreground for a celebrated fashion designer. However, it is true for Ritu Kumar.