What Went Down At Ritu Kumar’s Celebration Of Craft And Heritage

Ritu Kumar, the doyenne of Indian fashion, recently offered a window into her creative world with an intimate evening co-hosted with ELLE at DLF Emporio in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj. More than a showcase, it was an immersive homage to the craftsmanship, textile memory, and cultural storytelling that have defined the label for over five decades. Fashion insiders, influencers, and long-time admirers gathered to experience couture not as spectacle, but as a lived philosophy where every motif, stitch, and silhouette held a fragment of history.

From the moment guests walked in, the atmosphere felt almost ceremonial. Candlelight warmed the space while artist Sonam Kalra’s soulful Sufi melodies lent a gentle rhythm to the evening. The music threaded itself through the showcase, encouraging people to move slowly, linger, and soak in the artistry. 

Rooted in archival exploration and personal memory, it honoured India’s artisanal traditions, from the looms of rural craftsmen to the aristocratic mansions of Kolkata where the brand’s earliest inspirations were born. Intertwining generational stories with a modern design vocabulary, the collection reinterpreted legacy with a contemporary edge, making heritage feel both intimate and current.

At ICW 2025, and even at this exclusive showcase, the couture collection unfolded as a dialogue between past and present. Silks flowed effortlessly, layered sheers caught the light in delicate movements, and crystal-draped silhouettes offered restrained sparkle. Microprints, vintage florals, jewelled motifs, and corseted forms defined the visual language. Embroidered bodysuits peeked through translucent lehengas, while velvet scarves, structured jackets, and high-waist trousers introduced a contemporary flair.

Designed through a modern lens yet deeply grounded in India’s textile culture, the collection offered strong cues for today’s wedding wardrobes. If many couture displays today are built on grandeur, this one was built on intentionality. Every element,  from the music to the textiles to the intimate scale, reminded guests that true elegance lies in detail, technique, and the stories embedded in fabric.

The special evening not only celebrated Kumar’s storied past but reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Indian artisanal design, interpreted with confidence, conviction, and a distinctly modern sensibility for the global Indian.