3. ABOUT RITU BERI
PROFILE:
Ritu Beri’s name is synonymous with the explosive globalization of India’s fashion
industry. A pioneer in her field, she launched her label in 1990 when India was still awakening
to the couture era. She was also the first designer to storm the catwalks of Paris with her label
and was anointed India's Fashion Queen. This led Time magazine to declare her ‘The First Lady
of Fashion in her country’. Adding to her string of ‘firsts’, Beri was the First Asian to head a
French fashion house, Jean Louis Scherrer, and was credited by BBC for her business skills with
a resounding headline: ‘Indian fashion takes a hold in the form of Ritu Beri’.
4. EDUCATION:
• She did her schooling from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi
• She graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in Economics honours
• After which she joined NIFT. The designer is amongst the first batch of NIFT
which then comprised only 25 students
• The designer has also trained herself in embroidery under Francois Lesagehen.
College was not for me.
On the contrary, I was intrigued by
fashion design.
I could not draw, so I hand-knitted
a sweater and wore it for my
interview to show how it would
look. I was accepted into the first
session of India’s Fashion Institute,
NIFT - and from there with thanks,
to the rest of the world.
10 balls of wool and 2 knitting
needles - A recipe for my success.
5. PERSONAL LIFE:
The designer, in 2004, married exporter Bobby Chadha.
Ritu Beri graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in Economics honours
after which she joined NIFT.
The designer is amongst the first batch of NIFT which then
comprised only 25 students. Her final collection titled LAVANYA
became one of the highlights.
The designer has also trained herself in embroidery under Francois
Lesage. Ritu Beri did her schooling from Army Public School, Dhaula
Kuan in New Delhi and went on to study fashion arts at the NIFT, New
Delhi.
Beri launched her label in India in 1990.
7. COLLECTIONS
2015 November Goa Goa Couture Swimwear at Sol de Goa Couture
2015 March New Delhi India Kids Fashion Week at The Grand Baby Beri Kids wear
2014 March New Delhi JW Marriott Spa launch Swimwear
2014 October Shillong 18 Degree festival Couture
2013 August New Delhi Spanish Embassy The Spanish Fiesta
2013 August New Delhi Delhi Couture Show Punjabi Rock 'n'Roll
2013 March New Delhi Hyatt Regency Baby Beri Kidswear
2012 October New Delhi Savera Charity Show Couture
2012 August Mumbai Lakme Fashion Week Couture
2012 February Bangalore Bangalore Fashion Week Couture
8. awards
2015
Icon of the Year
2014
Leading Women Entrepreneurs of Delhi
The Lady of the Order of Civil Merit, by the Spanish Government
2013
Honorary Doctorate by Rai University
2012
Today's Traveler Award for Indian Fashion Icon
2010
Chevaliere des Arts et des lettres by the French Government
2007
Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award
9. Achievements
• Beri launched her label in India in 1990.
• In 1998, Beri presented a show in Paris successfully launching her first luxe collection &
also becoming the first Indian designer to do so.
• She is the only Indian designer to be featured in promostyl's magazine Acustyl, which
forecasts fashion trends worldwide. Beri was also named by Time magazine among the
People to Watch in International Business. She is the author of the personal fashion book,
101 Ways to Look Your Best. She also serves on the board of Governors at NIFT, and is an
honorary patron of the Savera Association, a popular charity involved in improving the lives
of Indian woman.
• Her notable international clients are former US President Bill Clinton, Prince Charles,
Moulin Rouge, Nicole Kidman, Hollywood actress Andie MacDowell, Supermodel Laetitia
Casta, famous Parisian Socialite Mrs. Lagerdere, Langes Swarovski & The Swarovski family,
Elizabeth Jagger and Jerry Hall.
11. Recent activity
15/6/2016:
Leading Fashion Designer Ritu Beri has been
appointed as an advisor to Khadi & Village Industries
Commision as a part of measures to attract youth to
Khadi & receive the neglected sector.