Before anyone else, there was Ritu Kumar, “The O.G.” of fashion- #ICW2023

After decade long hiatus from the runway scene, Ritu Kumar is back in the 16th edition of India Couture Week with her collection “The O.G.”

When one thinks of the personification of Indian heritage and championing Indian crafts onto fabrics, the name Ritu Kumar inevitably comes to us as a loyal nurturer of the same. After a gap of a decade, the fashion veteran came back with a boom in the 16th edition of India Couture Week with her collection “The O.G.”?

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The collection takes us on a historic journey and celebrates the return of “Chintz,” the floral fabric which was born in India but dominated the interiors of the Western world. The craft is often used in association with the reflection of Mughal art and used often by aristocracies of Europe in the colonial period. But in the hands of the stalwart, it is no less than an enchanted piece of modern history from the treasury of Indian crafts and arts.

The showstopper Aditi Rao Hydari added feathers to the cap of the collection and became a jewel of the evening. The actor’s graceful persona gave royal vibes to the ivory ensemble. The outfit had heavy embroidery work on the flared skirt along with a cropped jacket as she decided to ditch any heavy jewelry and settled for a maangtika along with smoky eyes and highlighted cheekbones.

The collection “The O.G.” is an ode to the godmother who introduced boutique culture in India under her moniker as a brand name “Ritu.” The collection displays different variations of Zari work, Kashidakari, and Chintz which works as the revival of the traditional Indian elements in the textiles.?

The collection also displayed tints of tan and beige along with ivory which was occasionally paired up with navy blue, corals, red, etc. Though, the star of the collection were for sure the jackets and shrugs with a traditional take with embroidery. Along with this, dramatic draping and statement sleeves also had their moment in the show. The collection grew gradually grand as the designer showcased traditional embroidery with some unconventional silhouettes reflecting the style of today’s India.

The collection had a great variety of feminine aesthetics, delicacy but drama, and an overall subtlety that meshed the style of today and quintessential Indian designs. Whether it’s a saree, Anarkali, Kurtis, or any other trendy ensemble, the collection poured grace and poise nonetheless.

The couture is tailored with the timeless complexity of glittering embroideries of Kasab Zari along with the storytelling of Chintz, making it a part of our legacy, Afterall- it’s The OG.