Born in 1969 in New Delhi, India, Ritu Rai began her journey in fashion at a young age. She developed a passion for art and design, which led her to pursue a degree in fine arts from Delhi University. Her interest in fashion was further fueled by her grandmother, a skilled embroiderer, who introduced her to the intricacies of traditional Indian crafts. These early influences would later become a hallmark of Rai's design style, characterized by a fusion of modernity and tradition.