The Big Picture

What makes the designer muse relationship between ADITI RAO HYDARI, the quintessential Indian beauty, and Ritu Kumar, the country’s longest running label, one to watch out for? AKANKSHA KAMATH finds out.

When you look back at designer campaigns, it’s clear that these images reflect changing times. Think of Gucci’s hedonistic images at the turn of the millennium, or an unknown Kate Moss sans make-up in Calvin Klein, or even Joan Didion for Céline making a case for silver foxes—sure, campaigns give us snapshots into designers’ worlds and the women they love but they also push boundaries and provide a solid social commentary about the world at large. In Ritu Kumar’s case, it has been the progression of Indian society and its changing cultural nuances that she’s continued to capture in a post-Independence India.

Aditi Rao Hydari fronts her latest autumn/winter collection, an ode to more innocent times, a pause from the current state of affairs. For Hydari, who has carved her place as a classic Indian beauty, her billowing kurtas and Kolhapuris represent the way most modern Indian women dress—with a bit of an old-Indian soul. We turned to Hydari and CEO Amrish Kumar to talk about their long-standing relationship.

We actually just found out that your relationship with each other dates back to childhood.