Ritu Kumar

Fashion Designer

Indian Amritsar Scorpio 158 cm

Quick Info

ProfessionFashion Designer
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth11/11/1944
Age81 years
BirthplaceAmritsar
Zodiac SignScorpio

Latest News about Ritu Kumar

25/01/2025

Ritu Kumar was named among the recipients of the Padma Bhushan, one of India's higher civilian honours, in the 2025 national awards list. The honour recognised her long service to art and fashion design, particularly her work reviving Indian textile crafts such as Zardozi. It followed her earlier Padma Shri in 2013.

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Bio/Wiki

Name Earned
  • Couture Rani
  • Fashion Lady
Full NameRitu Kumar

Physical Stats & More

Height158 cm
Eye ColorBrown
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolLoreto Convent, Tara Hall, Shimla
College/University
  • Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
  • Briarcliff College, New York
  • Asutosh Museum of Indian Art, Kolkata
Qualifications
  • Graduate
  • Art History
  • Museology

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
Hobbies
  • Reading
  • Travelling

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Husband/SpouseShashi Kumar (Director at Ritu Kumar)
Children
  • Amrish Kumar (CEO-Ritu Kumar)
  • Ashvin Kumar (Writer and Film Maker)

Family

SpouseShashi Kumar (Director at Ritu Kumar)
Children
  • Amrish Kumar (CEO-Ritu Kumar)
  • Ashvin Kumar (Writer and Film Maker)

Career

Awards, Honours, Achievements
  • Lifetime Achievement Award by NIFT
  • Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Award by PHDCC
  • Award of “chevalier des arts et des lettres” (knight of the order of arts and letters) bestowed by the French Government in recognition of her contribution to Indian textile crafts and traditional techniques
  • Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award
  • Padma Shri Award (2013)
  • Delhi’s Most Stylish Award by Hindustan Times (2015)
  • Padma Bhushan Award (2025)
Notable Works
  • Costumes and Textiles of Royal India (Book, 1999)
  • Zardozi Collection (1985)
  • LABEL (Sub-brand with son Amrish Kumar)
  • Costumes for 'No Fathers in Kashmir'
  • Costumes for 'Bollywood Hollywood' (2002)
Business Ventures
  • Ritika Private Limited (Founder)
  • RITU (Boutique brand)
  • LABEL (Sub-brand)
  • AIACA (Founder, promoting artisans)
  • Ri Ritu Kumar (International occasion wear and couture brand)
  • Ownership: Reliance Brands acquired a majority stake in the Ritu Kumar business in October 2021

Favourites

FoodChole Bhature, Pav Bhaji
DessertRasmalai
BeverageTea
ActorAmitabh Bachchan
Travel DestinationNew York
ColourPeach

Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ritukumarhq/

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Ritu Kumar is a prominent female fashion designer in India with 40 years of experience in the industry.
2. She was born into a well-to-do family in Amritsar, Punjab, with highly educated parents who supported her education choices.
3. Inspired by her background in art history and museology, she pursued a career in fashion designing.
4. Ritu Kumar met her husband, Shashi Kumar, during her graduation at Lady Irwin College, and they later got married.
5. In 1969, she began her career in Kolkata, using hand-block printing and a few small tables.
6. Starting with evening clothes and bridal wear in the 1960s and 1970s, she established herself in the international market.
7. By 1996, Ritu Kumar had expanded her business to New York, Paris, and London.
8. She introduced Boutique culture in India under the brand name ‘RITU.’
9. In 2002, she worked on her first designing project for the movie 'Bollywood Hollywood.'
10. Ritu Kumar and her son Amrish Kumar launched the sub-brand 'LABEL.'
11. She designed costumes for the Indian film “No Fathers in Kashmir.”
12. Her book “Costumes and Textiles of Royal India” was published in October 1999.
13. Ritu Kumar focuses on traditional printing, weaving techniques, and natural fabrics in her designs.
14. With over 35 fashion stores in 14+ cities in India, she has made a significant mark in the industry.
15. She initiated the video campaign “Beautiful Hands” to support indigenous craftsmen.
16. As a founder of AIACA, she contributes to promoting artisans and craft worker welfare.
17. Ritu Kumar has been instrumental in reviving Zardozi work in India, a famous art from the Mughal era.
18. She is the founder of Ritika Private Limited, which includes four fashion brand portfolios.
19. Ritu Kumar pioneered the revival of traditional handicrafts, starting with a small handicrafts business in the 1960s.
20. She launched the Zardozi collection in New Delhi in 1985 after years of research and innovation in the technique.
21. Her designs have been worn by celebrities including Princess Diana, Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai, and Lara Dutta.
22. She has designed outfits for Miss India pageant winners on international platforms such as Miss Universe and Miss Asia-Pacific.

Also born on 11 November

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