RUNWAY STORIES: Travel through the Silk Road

RI Ritu Kumar’s collection — Remembering the Silk Road — which will be presented at Sakal Times Couture Weekend, is a dream come true

Ritu Kumar needs no introduction. Over the last 50 years,  she has been preserving the legacy of art forms and heritage through her creativity and designs. Counted among the most celebrated and successful designers in our country, she has been relentlessly empowering India weaves, handlooms and artisans. 

Ritu Kumar is one of the largest and most respected designer-wear brands in India today. Since 1969, it has developed a unique style of its own, reflecting the ancient traditions of Indian craftsmanship in a contemporary vocabulary. The designer’s RI Ritu Kumar will be showcasing the latest couture line collection — Remembering the Silk Road at Sakal Times Couture Weekend in Pune on the last day.

Ritu Kumar believes that bridal couture and occasion wear, rooted in tradition and her collection show a revival of ancient textiles juxtaposed with contemporary silhouettes and artisanal weaves. One can experience today’s modern heirlooms for a bride, her family and her friends through her brand.  

The designer who has been swept away by the romance of the Silk Route, took inspiration from it and created ‘Remembering the Silk Road’. Explaining the concept behind the designs, Ritu Kumar says, “We dreamt of crossing many mystical landscapes and spending nights in caravanserais. We mingled with merchants and pilgrims. We travelled with priceless textiles and jade which passed through the hands of voyagers. We travelled through mountains and followed this trail. At a distance lay the promise of home. To celebrations, to love and to dream anew…..”

Remembering the Silk Road is the first part of a two year design project which researches the crafts and textiles that crisscrossed this seminal trading route. “Our artistic heritage owes a lot to the influences of culture, technique and art forms from both the East and West Asia,” she adds.

The brand’s heirloom lehengas, jackets, dresses and sarees are a product of these dialogues. The Persian motifs, jewelled palettes, architectural references that form this collection, are contemporary renditions of the finest historical sartorial practices. These are translated on to fine Chanderi, rich velvets, and lush Banarasi fabrics, which are enhanced with meticulous embroideries like ari, tikki and zardozi. The heirloom pieces are marked with highly skilled craftsmanship and artisanal techniques.

GET READY FOR THE ACTION
Sakal Times Couture Weekend Season 1, the three-day fashion show, is taking place at Amanora The Fern Hotels & Clubs, Hadapsar. Here’s the schedule... 
MAY 17, 2019
7.30 pm: Tasta
8.15 pm: Launch of Sakal Platinum Club
9.00 pm: Babita Malkani

MAY 18, 2019
7.30 pm: Ronak Sayyed 
8.15 pm: Tasta (Men’s Wear)
9.00 pm: Amar Ghanasingh - Jewelley show

MAY 19, 2019
7.30 pm: Naksh 
8.15 pm: Neeru’s 
9.00 pm: Grand Finale - Ritu Kumar