A design pioneer, global citizen and a success story fables are made of Ritu Beri launched her label

in 1990 when India was still awakening to the couture era. She forayed into France, a protg of embroidery maestro Francois Lesage. The first Indian fashion ambassador to show on the catwalks of Paris. Her presentations gave the French fashion connoisseurs a glimpse of mystical India. She then traveled the globe showing her creations to critical acclaim. Recipient of the prestigious French honor, Chevaliere des art et des Letters award. Former US President Mr. Bill Clinton, Hollywood celebrities like Nicole Kidnam, Ivana Trump, Supermodels, famous Parisian Socialites, to the Prima Donna of Indian Movies and a bevy of many others have worn the Ritu Beri label. The Ritu Beri label retails from high fashion stores across continents and countries. Extensively covered by media RITU BERI has had the most critical critics raise a toast to her signature style

Surprising as it might seem, Ritu Beri, from Delhi, gave a lesson in high fashion aesthetics and clientpleasing clothes-the essence of couture." SUZY MENKES (Fashion Editor, The International Herald Tribune) "Ritu is one of the People to Watch in International Business." TIME MAGAZINE "By blending Indian and Western styles, designer Ritu Beri is fashioning her own successful international brand." NEWSWEEK Ritu Beri is the Donatella Versace of India. She is the first lady of fashion in her country." SUNDAY OBSERVER, LONDON Indian fashion takes hold in the form of Ritu Beri." BBC "It's beyond fashion, its art." AFP

"Film stars shun Paris fashion for India, Ritu Beri designs for Nicole Kidman." DAILY TELEGRAPH

ACHIEVEMENTS NATIONAL Ritu beri was voted the MOST POPULAR DESIGNER in a countrywide Poll. Ritu Beri was a Consultant for TAJ KHAZANA (Popular Luxury Boutique), Nationwide. Ritu Beri represented Indian trends in various fairs and fashion shows for the APPAREL EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL OF INDIA. As a part of the INDIAN TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATION, Ritu Beri designed a complete range of home furnishings inspired by India for the Heim-Tex fair in Germany.

Ritu Beri was part of the RAJASTHAN TOURISM movement to promote Bikaner as a tourist destination by doing a grand show for over 10,000 people.
Ritu Beri represented India to celebrate 50 YEARS OF INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE in various countries like China, Nairobi, Dubai, Zairo, New York and London. Ritu Beri has been the designer for most Leading Actors in INDIAN CINEMA. Ritu Beri was the designer for the latest A.R.Rehman World Tour, JAI HO THE JOURNEY HOME. Ritu Beri organized fashion shows in India & abroad for the CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY. Ritu Beri has participated in many seminars and conferences as the chief guest and main speaker for the ROTARY CLUB OF INDIA

INTERNATIONAL First Indian Designer to showcase in PARIS. Ritu Beri was the FIRST Asian to head a French Fashion House SCHERRER. Ritu Beri was a consultant at HARRODS, UK for a short-term project to create a 9000 sq.ft. fusion section. Ritu Beri was the FIRST Indian designer to be featured in PROMOSTYL, the magazine that forecasts world trends.

Ritu Beri has designed for the world's most popular doll, THE BARBIE DOLL.
Ritu Beri was a consultant to various International brands like VOLVO CARS, SWAROVSKI, HONDA MOTORS, JAPAN and helped select colors for the cars for the Indian market. Ritu Beri represented the Indian Fashion Industry in a seminar held by COMITE COLBERT, PARIS to better understand the Indian growth in various sectors. Ritu Beri has designed clothes for famous world celebrities like PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, NICOLE KIDMAN, ANDY MCDOWELL, IVANA TRUMP, PRINCE CHARLES to name a few. Ritu Beri represented India for L'OREAL (official make-up professionals for all Ritu Beri events) at the Cannes Film Festival, 2001.

POSITIONS HELD:

Ritu Beri was a Board of Governor of THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY.
Ritu Beri was a Board Member for the AFRO-ASIAN GAMES COMMITTEE. Ritu Beri is part of the Governing Council of THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN.

Ritu Beri was part of the Bidding Committee for the OLYMPIC GAMES to be held in Paris in 2012.
Ritu Beri was part of the Non Government body THE INDO FRENCH FORUM, representing India in France.

Ritu Beri was on the Board for the jewelry department and institute of the WORLD GOLD COUNCIL OF INDIA.

Unconsciously, my army background also ensured that clothes were becoming a part of my life. Army parties are very formal, structured and British in their approach to dressing. The environment encourages you to be fastidious about your appearance, and my Dad did so to the hilt. A natty dresser in unusual colors, he is a rebel in his conventional dinner jackets, and unconventional in a contemporary way. My mother is beautiful. Ask anyone who knows her - she is stunning. In those days, she lit up the army with not just her looks, but her intrinsic style. I love to watch her dressing, her hair piled up high in a bouffant which she so skillfully wound, and her pastel chiffons that floated around her. Her elegance in pearls and diamonds were her trademark. With such fine examples around me, I had to be influenced - I ended up wanting to dress up everyone to look like they did. When I was very small... I always wanted to be a doctor. Complete with a stethoscope and a black bag for my medical tools. I must honestly admit my doctoral ambitions were somewhat thwarted by the fact that I spent more time musing over how the wardrobe of the medical team should look rather than on the more noble and gory aspects of the trade. Mentally, I was always designing the doctor's over coat with an interesting pocket detail for his stethoscope. My mind would buzz with designs for dressing up the nurses, designing starched headgear and improvising their aprons, adding frills at the hem. It didn't take me long to figure out

My earliest memories are those of any child brought up in a military home. No chauffeur driven cars or expensive toys, only museum holidays abroad. No, I worked hard and I played equally hard at extra-curricular activities. Discipline, focus and single-mindedness were the bedrocks on which you were expected to build your life. While I was protected in the army, a part of me sensed that it was only a temporary haven, that there was a tough world out there which had to be tackled and that this was the time to hone my skills to take on future challenges. This protected world was fleeting, changing. 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 Indias Fashion Institute, NIFT - and from there with thanks, to the rest of the world. 10 balls of wool and 2 knitting

I create for the cowgirl who dares, who sets her own rules and loves social existence. And I design for the other women who will watch her, wish & wonder ..... why

In my journey to dress Gia(my daughter), I discovered that in India, children's wear is largely restricted to ready-to-wear. Therefore, I decided to design occasion wear for the little tots which has been a very joyful experience. When I was young, I was inspired by women icons who lived beyond the here and now. I wished one day, I could do the same. I do believe Paris is my destiny. It was meant for me. Since I was ten, Paris is where I wanted to be. Dreaming was the fabric of my existence. I wove them around me, like my companions. I breathed them like air. Without dreams, my life would be empty and on my dreams, well, I became irritatingly focused. I wanted to create; there was much I wanted to express, to say. My parents encouraged us to dream constantly. It was a race for perfection, and we ran it with glee. Tagore said, Great human societies are the creations not of profiteers but of dreamers.

Ritu Beri is a New Delhi based International fashion designer. She is the first Asian designer to head the French fashion brand, Scherer. Ritu Beri brought her label alive in 1990 when India was still awakening to the couture era. Swift as silk she forayed into France, a protg of embroidery maestro Francois Lesage. The first Indian fashion ambassador to show on the catwalks of Paris she then traveled the globe showing her creations to critical acclaim. Her presentations gave the French fashion connoisseurs a glimpse into mystical India. The Parisians were abuzz with exclamations and praises of the rich display of luxurious silks, brocades and the prevalent use of Mogul motifs.

Katrina Walks in this beautiful ball gown style lehnga

Explore colors other than red & maroon such as metallic tones like gold, silver, also jewel tones like fuchsia, orange, emerald green, candy floss pink and Naples Yellow; pastels like aqua blue, lilac and celadon would work too. Silks, Brocades & sheer fabrics are all very popular this season. The preferred embellishments are crystal work, antique zari work & rich silk thread embroidery.

The colors for this season are serene yet bubbly, shades of white and ecru, yolk and ochre yellows, mint green, peaches and blues, focusing on neutral colors and transparent fabrics. Monochrome Layering is going to be a big trend for 2009. Black-nwhite would be a strong color combination this year to take note of. Dresses are here to stay again. From Floral prints to clean lines, bold shoulders & everything else to lift up your shape.

The frills and ruffles with the jacquard jacket add a modern look to the traditional lehnga; Giving a royal look ,golden is mixed with champagne and pink color, these lehngas make it to haute couture!

The embroidery ,the use of net in ruffles along with the Jewelled choli is such a perfect use of rich Indian Art on fabric!

This is from her summer/spring resort collection. The chiffon print with the thick belt is hot for all occasions.

This dress and hat portrays the Indian Royalty of the times of the Victorian era.

Price range
Leading couture designer Ritu Beri is readying to set up a chain of pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) stores under the brand Ritu Beri Pret. The stores will sell international pret collections like T-shirts, jackets and pair of trousers in the price range of Rs 800, Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,200 respectively. The pret chain is expected to post a retail turnover of Rs 35-40 crore in the first year of operation. Beginning with 100 stores in India by August 2004, Ritu Beri Pret retail concept will be extended to overseas markets as well. Sources pointed out that the company was close to finalizing a franchisee deal in France. Ms Beri is believed to have a large international couture (hi-fashion) following in eight countries with around three dozen stores. The stores will be operated under Ritu Beri Fashions Ltd, which is equity-funded by five strategic investors, besides Ms Beri herself. With the launch of the new project, Ms Beri will discontinue selling her labels from other fashion stores in the country.

Special Contribution of Ritu Beri

Beri has made a mark with her chic apparel. From showcasing at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week to dressing up notable international celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and Nicole Kidman, the designer`s journey is a perfect representation of Indian fashion`s inroads into the worldwide fashion scenario. Beri sells her creations through boutiques in France and Germany and a store in New Delhi. She has been awarded the chance as well as the challenge of designing for Indian counterpart in the curtain Raiser ceremony of Olympics at Atlanta. Apart from being a fabulous and top fashion designer she has got the heart of gold. She is highly compassionate for animals for which she has also started a project called `Caring means sharing`. The funds raised through this collection would go for animal care. This collection would exhibit a wide array of products. Ritu is a columnist for many leading journals. She is the force behind making India emerge as a power in the fashion industry. With her stunning good looks and innovative designs, she is likely to pave the way for many more Indian designers to come. This charming woman has the fire to make a difference in the fashion world.