Latest news with #RituKumar
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Aaquib Wani on Designing Ritu Kumar's Couture Set: A Sacred World Between Memory and Imagination
Celebrating five decades of Ritu Kumar's legacy, Day 5 of Hyundai India Couture Week saw a showcase like no other. The designer's 'Threads of Time: Reimagined' collection came alive against an evocative and immersive backdrop envisioned by art director Aaquib Wani. Known for designing the Indian Cricket Team's jerseys, Wani collaborated closely with Amrish Kumar, Ritu Kumar's son and Managing Director of the brand, to create a space that was both deeply rooted and surreal. The result was a world that felt 'suspended between history and imagination,' Wani told. With towering Ayyanar terracotta horses and an enigmatic red neon script dubbed the RKumara Script, the set was a poetic contrast of cultural legacy and futuristic design. 'The vision was to create a space that felt like walking into a forgotten memory, part mythology and part invention,' said Wani. He described the concept as intentionally abstract, designed not to tell a literal story but to evoke timeless emotion. 'We weren't interested in a literal narrative. The idea was to evoke something timeless, something that felt sacred but also surreal.' Two main elements dominated the minimalist set—sculpted terracotta horses and a glowing red neon script that framed the stage. 'The horses were large, sculpted pieces inspired by Ayyanar traditions... made in a way that felt true to the craft but scaled up for the space,' Wani explained. Meanwhile, the R Kumara Script—built entirely in-house—served as an ethereal bridge between language and feeling. 'It doesn't ask to be read, it asks to be felt.' The fictional script, designed to be a fully functional digital typeface, added a speculative dimension to the stage. Wani emphasized, 'We weren't trying to communicate information, we were creating a feeling.' Creating this dreamlike visual world took nearly a month. The typeface required full character design and spatial adaptability, while the horses demanded the skills of seasoned artisans to retain a handmade authenticity despite their grand scale. Speaking on set decor's role in fashion showcases, Wani noted, 'It should support the story being told... a good set is one that expands the world the designer is creating. It's not background, it's context.' The partnership with Amrish Kumar made the process seamless and focused. 'There was a lot of clarity in what we were trying to say,' Wani said, highlighting the simplicity and strength behind the concept. The audience response was telling—visitors eagerly captured photos with the sculptural horses and script wall. 'When people want to hold on to a piece of the set, you know it is connected,' he added. With just two well-thought-out elements, Aaquib Wani succeeded in building a space that visually and emotionally echoed Ritu Kumar's quiet yet powerful couture narrative.
News18
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- News18
Aaquib Wani: A Good Set Is One That Expands The World The Designer Is Creating
Terracotta Horses, Red Neon Script: Aaquib Wani Tells The Story Behind Ritu Kumar's Set Design at Hyundai India Couture Week Ritu Kumar closed Day 5 of Hyundai India Couture Week, honouring five decades of the brand's legacy. Joining in the celebrations was art director Aaquib Wani, who worked closely with Ritu Kumar's son Amrish Kumar, to create a world surrounded by culture and imagination. The larger-than-life set design for the showcase played the perfect canvas for Ritu Kumar's Threads of Time: Reimagined collection. Aaquib Wani, the artist behind the iconic Indian Cricket Team jerseys, shares with News18 the vision for Ritu Kumar's set design, the story behind the Ayyanar terracotta horses and the fictional neon script on the backdrop and the importance of a good set that helps expand the world the fashion designer is creating. What was the vision for the set design for Ritu Kumar's showcase? The vision was to create a space that felt like walking into a forgotten memory, part mythology and part invention. We weren't interested in a literal narrative. The idea was to evoke something timeless, something that felt sacred but also surreal. The Ayyanar terracotta horses gave us that rooted cultural energy. To balance that, we created a fictional neon script that felt like a language from another time. We built the entire typeface in-house and called it the RKumara Script. We even turned it into a functional font that could be typed with, built to work like any other digital typeface once installed. Together, these elements helped us build a world that felt suspended between history and imagination. We used just two elements for the entire setup, the terracotta horses and the red neon script. The horses were large, sculpted pieces inspired by Ayyanar traditions, placed across the runway to create presence without blocking movement. They were made in a way that felt true to the craft but scaled up for the space. The backdrop was a long stretch of glowing red script we designed in-house. It ran clean across the background and framed the show without distracting from the clothes. The idea was to keep the setup minimal but strong enough to hold the energy of the collection. How long did it take to create the backdrop and the horses? Close to a month. Designing the typeface took time because it wasn't just calligraphy, it had to function as a full character set. The layout and scale had to work across the space while still feeling immersive and poetic. The horses took their own time. Sculpting at that size while still keeping the handmade quality intact meant we had to get the right artisans involved. What's the story behind the script and what do the words mean? The RKumara script didn't mean anything in a conventional sense. That was the point. We weren't trying to communicate information, we were creating a feeling. The script was designed to sit somewhere between memory and myth. It hints at language, at history, but it stays open-ended. It doesn't ask to be read, it asks to be felt. It became this silent thread connecting the past to a speculative future. Should the set decor stand out or blend in at a fashion showcase? It should support the story being told. Sometimes that means being bold, sometimes that means disappearing. But either way, it has to feel intentional. For me, a good set is one that expands the world the designer is creating. It's not background, it's context. In this case, the clothes had a quiet strength, and the set needed to hold that without overpowering it. So we created something that could exist in parallel, visually strong, but in sync. How was the experience working with Ritu Kumar for this showcase? We worked with Amrish Kumar, who is Ritu Kumar's son and now the Managing Director of the brand Ritu Kumar on this, and the collaboration was sharp and focused. He had the initial concept, and we built the visual world around it. There was a lot of clarity in what we were trying to say, no over-explaining, no dressing things up. The response was instant. After the show, people were taking photos with the horses and the glowing script wall. That kind of post-show engagement is rare and says a lot. When people want to hold on to a piece of the set, you know it is connected. About the Author Akshata Shetty Completing almost two decades in journalism, Akshata Shetty's journey from print to online journalism is a celebration of fashion, art and music. Akshata's fashion stories are about the people who celebrate More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ritu Kumar: Couture celebrates Calcutta's charm
Fashion speaks the loudest when it becomes a bridge between the past and the present. At Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, in association with Reliance Brands, an initiative of FDCI, designer Ritu Kumar did exactly that. The collection felt close to Ritu Kumar's roots, inspired by her own memories and her love for Indian craft.(Raajessh Kashyap/HT) Her show, Threads of Time: Reimagined, opened to soft Bengali music and the set by design studio Aaquib Wani, evoking the nostalgic charm of a bygone Kolkata home. The background featured the Bengali alphabet in the shade of red and terracotta horses. The mood was gentle, nostalgic, and emotionally charged, merging seamlessly with the collection. The showcase drew from the designer's personal memories, her rich archive of prints, and an exploration of Indian craft. Traditional patterns were reimagined into sheer layers, velvet wraps, corseted blouses, crystal bodysuits, and sharply tailored jackets. Details like voluminous Barbie ponytails, muted makeup, and embroidered stockings added a dose of vintage glamour. A standout moment came when a model glided down the ramp with a dupatta draped as a handbag, blurring the line between accessory and garment. Each look felt deeply rooted in craft, yet shaped by a distinctly modern sensibility. The silhouettes were romantic yet assertive; the embellishments rich, but never overpowering. This was bridal and festive wear for women who look for meaning in what they wear, not just beauty. Also, actor Bhumi Pednekar walked as the showstopper for the showcase, wearing an ivory lehenga with a sheer corset blouse and a long veil.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bhumi Pednekar brings back the magic of ‘The Royals' for Ritu Kumar
(Image Credits: Instagram) A true fashion trailblazer of the season, Bhumi Pednekar recently turned muse for veteran designer Ritu Kumar and graced the ramp in a detailed beige lehenga that had a dreamy vision spread all over it. Encapsulating the perfect blend of classic elegance with a hint of modern glam, the powerful duo took us back to the sets of 'The Royals', leaving us with a nostalgic traditional charm. Presenting her latest collection, 'Threads of Time', Ritu Kumar honoured the craft and memory and brought a fashion-forward palette to the ramp. The ace designer has been part of the fashion world for more than five decades now. By putting Bhumi Pednekar as the face of her showcase, she proved why she's still thriving in the glam world, as Bhumi walked the ramp with utmost confidence and exuded the right amount of drama. (Image Credits: Instagram) Bhumi's showstopping look featured a beige lehenga with soft brown undertones and came in with a meticulous threadwork aura, blended with delicate embellishment. The detailing on the plunging sleeveless blouse with a cropped hemline is a classic Ritu Kumar style, which was completed with fine embroidery and a statement lace border. Bhumi Pednekar Chooses 'The Royals' The A-line lehenga skirt boasted a sequined waistband and hand-embroidered floral motifs dipped in gold and brown hues, which also came with a shimmery gota patti border. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increase time in range³⁻⁷. Dexcom Undo Ditching the usual dupatta show, Ritu Kumar made sure to end the look with a bang and instead opted for an opulent cape jacket. But this blooming cape is not your usual style, as it features an open front with side slits and has a dramatic flared tail at the back. (Image Credits: Instagram) Adding more sparkles to the look, she accessorised the contemporary lehenga with a statement emerald-diamond choker set and a pair of matching earrings. Carrying a luminous makeup avatar with bold berry-toned lips and flushed cheeks, she went all out in glam with her beauty tricks and managed to find an overall balance. Ritu Kumar reimagined legacy with her 'Threads of Time' collection and brought in a sleek blend of traditional craftsmanship with innovative designs. The showcase bridges the designer's decades-spanning bequest with a modish twist added by her son, Amrish Kumar. The collection had corset detailing, fusion-printed silks, sheer detailing, micro florals, and crystal embellishments that celebrated her five decades of fashion journey and a vision of how things evolve and what they can become.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Bhumi Pednekar turns showstopper for veteran fashion designer Ritu Kumar at India Couture Week
NEW DELHI: Veteran designer Ritu Kumar showcased her latest collection, Threads of Time: Reimagined, at the ongoing India Couture Week, with actor Bhumi Pednekar gracing the ramp as her showstopper. At 80, Kumar remains a formidable force in Indian fashion, known for championing traditional Indian craftsmanship through her signature designs. Speaking at a post-show press conference, she remarked, 'Today, we are a really strong contender for the world of fashion and crafts. In most other countries, this is limited to a museum; here we are celebrating the living craftsmanship.' Threads of Time: Reimagined blended bridal and Indian wear with fusion silhouettes, showcasing a balance between timeless tradition and modern versatility. The collection stood out for its intricate gold embroidery, a hallmark of Kumar's aesthetic, adorning a range of garments — from contemporary cuts to loose, comfortable silhouettes. A rich palette dominated the runway, led by bridal reds, and expanded into hues commonly found in Indian wardrobes such as fuchsia, baby blue, yellow, and mauve. Accessories were kept minimal, allowing the garments and embroidery to speak for themselves. The musical curation matched the theme of heritage meets modernity. From the soul-stirring Aik Alif by Saeen Zahoor to upbeat tracks like Beat Goes On and Christine, the soundtrack created a striking contrast that reflected the spirit of the collection. Pednekar made a statement as she walked the ramp to the haunting sufi classic Chhap Tilak Sab Chhini Re, dressed in a gold embroidered lehenga. Styled with emerald studs, bold lipstick, and a trailing cape in place of a traditional dupatta, the look offered a fresh take on the modern Indian bride.
