I was always interested in fashion from a very early age. I grew up in Delhi and completed my schooling from The Convent of Jesus and Mary and later did a three year programme in textiles. I opened Ogaan in November 1989 because I could sense a need for change in the Indian market. People wanted higher quality products which could no longer be made by tailors sitting at home. With the opening up of the NIFT and the growing inflow of young talented people who had studied design and new quality, the Indian fashion scene in the late 80s was right for change, everything was coming together at the same time.
Ogaan, which is in Hauz Khas Village is very well located, nestling between the deer park and the madarsa. Revati Kamath who was the architect, was assigned to put the concept together. The fashion scenario when we began was very charge, we were an instant success. I feel that the fashion scene in India right now is equally charged as it was then. Business has increased manifold. At Ogaan, one section leads into another. It is one of the largest stores in Hauz Khas Village. I have another store in Delhi which is in the Santushti Shopping Complex where we stock western concepts. I have been in the business of promoting designers from all over India and my own label Kavita Bhartia since 1989 I was married when I was 19 and completed my graduation in textile design after marriage. My mantra for success is "a lot of hard work and a positive attitude to make a go of things".
The highlights of my career have been - showed my collection in Seychelles for Ms World. In Rome with Roberto Capucci and consecutively in Singapore. I have participated twice in Singapore Fashion Week and also showed in Selfridges I have done two solo shows and two dual shows in New Delhi, and the opening of two more branches one in Calcutta in 1995 and one in Delhi in 1997.