From the Heart: Two Sisters, One Passion - Meet Desi Hart

Hiii there! A very hearty (read: big happy hug) welcome to “Desi Hart''. I’m Komal Rathod, one of the co-founders, and I’d love to introduce you to our brand and the people behind it. I know, you’re wondering why bother with a new brand, but that’s exactly why I’m here!

Desi Hart is new, and like many of us, I tend to buy from a new brand if it's owned by someone I know. Given my introverted personality, we'd have to close shop if we relied only on friends and family. So, here I am, hoping to help you get to know us better—and maybe become friends too! :)

We’re two sisters from Bombay, Amisha and I, with a background in clothing, marketing, and advertising. Our family has been in the clothing business for over 30 years, covering men, women, and kids' fashion. Yet, like most kids, we resisted joining the family business for the longest time. Maybe it’s because we wanted to bring our own value to the table or, like many, we struggled to blend our generation's ideas with those of our parents and grandparents at work.

With a background in business, experience in fashion, and an obsession of consumer insights, we set out to bring to life a dream we held close to our hearts and that’s when Desi Hart was born.

Why Desi Hart?

I won’t lie; it wasn’t our first thought. We hadn’t even considered it, until one day, we had a deep conversation about the influence of the West on us Indians. We realised there’s been a surge in the acceptance of Indian remedies and Ayurveda, simply because the West is starting to see their value. But isn’t it sad it took outsiders to show us our worth?

We noticed that while some things were gaining respect, Indian clothes, fabrics, and techniques were still reserved for festivities. The reason? Many of us subconsciously believe that dressing like the West makes us look better or more modern, while Indian wear outside of celebrations might make us seem old-fashioned. It made us feel that wearing Indian clothes daily might make us seem less young or trendy.

That was our light bulb moment. We wanted to create a one-stop shop for women’s short tops and short kurtis (aka casual Indian wear) that showcased the rich craftsmanship of artisans from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, suitable for office wear, casual outings, or light festivities. 

What's in a Name?

Now, why "Desi Hart"? The name was inspired by our love for all things desi (Indian) and our heartfelt (pun intended) desire to bring Indian craftsmanship to the forefront. "Desi" captures the essence of our Indian heritage, while "Hart" (a playful twist on "heart") symbolises the love and passion we pour into our creations. Together, "Desi Hart" embodies our mission to connect with your inner desi spirit and make you feel beautiful, young, and culturally enriched every day.

What Makes Desi Hart Special?

Desi Hart is your go-to for women’s  short kurtis and short tops crafted by Indian artisans. We’re here to help you embrace your inner “desi girl” beyond just weddings. Our collections aim to make you look younger and feel comfortable and culturally rich.

• Do you have to be crazy about India to like our collection? Nope.
• Do you have to hate the West to enjoy our designs? Not at all.
• Do you have to be old school to find our crafts interesting? No.
• Do you have to break the bank to afford our clothes? Lol, no.

Desi Hart is simply for any girl who’s working, juggling roles, wants to look good with minimum effort and maximum comfort.

That’s all for now. If you made it to the end, I’m sending you a big virtual jhappi. We’d love to hear your thoughts, not for business sake but to have a quality conversation. So write down in the comments or reach out to us via mail/whatsapp.

Until next time, lots of love!