India's First Fashion Designer On Building An Empire She Never Planned |Masoom Minawala | Ritu Kumar

How did India lose its rich textile heritage? Why do we still seek validation from the West? And what does fashion have to do with colonialism, craftsmanship, and identity? In this episode of The Masoom Minawala Show, I sit down with the legendary Ritu Kumar, India's pioneering fashion designer and one of the most influential voices in Indian textiles and craftsmanship. This conversation goes far beyond fashion. We dive into India's forgotten textile history, the impact of colonialism on Indian crafts, why she believes we're still carrying a colonial mindset, and how preserving heritage is about much more than what we wear. Ritu Kumar also shares incredible untold stories - from dressing Miss India winners like Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai in traditional Indian wear, to Princess Diana's visits to her London store, the origin of the word *zardozi*, and why she believes building a fashion brand on craft can sometimes do more harm than good. In this episode, we discuss: * Why Ritu Kumar never considered herself a fashion designer * The forgotten history of Indian textiles and craftsmanship * Colonialism's impact on India's fashion industry * Why we compare Indian brands to Western luxury houses * The story behind dressing Miss India winners in sarees * Princess Diana's visits to the Ritu Kumar store * How the word *zardozi* was coined * Why fashion trends can threaten traditional crafts * India's design legacy and the importance of preserving heritage * The future of Indian fashion and craftsmanship Whether you're passionate about fashion, entrepreneurship, Indian history, design, luxury, culture, or creative industries, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it truly means to build with purpose. If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who loves India's rich cultural heritage. Timestamos: 00:00 - Precap 01:06 - Introduction 01:26 - Welcoming the guest 02:40 - First Lady of Indi