STYLE SPEAK: Vintage advantage

Veteran designer Ritu Kumar may be in the news for the antique joda that she’s restoring for the wedding of actors Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan later this month, but the designer also has another big event coming up. Ritu has been chosen for the grand finale of the Delhi fashion week that kicked off in the capital on Friday. Ritu’s show will be split into two parts, and will display her pret and couture line.

“The first part will feature more contemporary Indo-Western silhouettes, while the second will be more classical designs. The whole mood will be fun and vintage,” adds a visibly excited Ritu. While the first line is evening wear inspired by the Art Deco style, the second line draws reference to the colonial era essaying the European influence on Indian royalty back then.

Having been in the industry for over 30 years, Ritu says that she’s amazed by the amount of change in the fashion industry. “There’s a lot happening in terms of design that’s indigenous. Very few countries can boast of retaining their individuality, and I’m proud of the new designers who are incorporating Indian textiles and crafts. Some use Indian embroideries, or tie-dye or khadi but are making each of these relevant to modern India,” says Ritu.

She feels that the burgeoning number of fashion weeks in the country are to some extent necessary. “Our country is like a continent with a lot of varied people and cultures. I think each fashion week addresses each city’s fashion needs,” explains the designer. And will we be seeing the designer in Mumbai anytime soon? “Yes, I plan to come to the city at the end of the month to showcase my textiles and designs,” says Ritu.