After a hiatus Ritu Beri was back at the Delhi Couture Week with an impressive front row—from BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, Vani Tripathi, Shashi Tharoor and wife Sunanda Pushkar, to Gunnu and Ranjan Bhattacharya, adman Suhel Seth to legal eagle Raian Karanjawala. The Bijli brothers Sanjeev, Selena and Ajay along with Niamat Bakshi added glamour on the second last day of the DCW.
But it was the powerful, booming vocal chords of Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi, who with help from Sunanda Sharma managed to keep the guests entertained with his uplifting melodies, singing live as models showcased draped, metallic gowns with brocade jackets, voluminous embroidered lehengas with velvet borders, as Ritu paid homage to the rich culture and large-hearted people of Punjab.
Gotta was extensively used to accentuate the appeal of rani pink layered lehengas, as they glittered with Swarovskis. I am a Punjabi, by birth and nature. This collection was a tribute to my roots, my mom is a beautiful woman, who has great taste, and I learnt a lot from her as I observed her dressing up as a child, says Ritu.
This year also saw the return of the sharara, with Ritu executing it in ox blood red and aubergine, elevating it with threadwork and crystals. Like the colourful people of this region, the ensembles reflected the spirit and mood of Punjab and its tapestry. The Patiala shalwars in satin swayed to the notes of the 14 century mystic Amir Khusros classic poem Chhap Tilak Sab Cheeni