Otara Gunewardene

Who is Otara Gunewardene?

Otara Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer and fashion icon. Founder of Sri Lanka’s premier fashion and lifestyle store Odel, a brand that took Sri Lanka by storm offering designer and high street fashion for men, women and children; home ware, jewelry & accessories; luggage; perfumes & cosmetics; books & music; confectionery and food. More significantly, offering an unparalleled sensorial shopping experience that keeps shoppers coming back for more. From being a sole proprietor of one store in 1990, she pioneered a fashion retailing phenomenon and has piloted Odel through two decades of explosive growth and expansion. Otara has the distinction of being the first female entrepreneur to take a company public in Sri Lanka when Odel launched an IPO in July 2010. Following the entry of Parkson Retail Asia in 2012, Otara retains a 29.7 percent stake of Odel PLC. Her entrepreneurship was globally recognized in 2010 when she was named the best female entrepreneur at the seventh US Stevie Awards for Women in Business.She also heads the list of Sri Lanka’s Most Powerful Women and is featured in the Sri Lanka Rich List, a few of the many achievements of this incredible powerhouse, who has undoubtedly redefined the fashion retail and lifestyle arena in Sri Lanka.