Ramola Bachchan

Ramola Bachchan is a British-Indian fashion designer, entrepreneur and Creative Director of First Resort — India's leading resort wear label for women. Growing up in Kolkata and now based in New Delhi, she has spent four decades building businesses at the intersection of fashion, luxury and culture, across London and New Delhi.

First Resort — Indian Resort Wear for Women

In 2018, Ramola launched First Resort, an Indian resort wear brand celebrated for its inclusive sizing (XS to 8XL), vibrant prints and effortless silhouettes. Ramola serves as Creative Director of the label, which has been featured in The New York Times and is stocked across leading platforms including Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Nykaa Fashion, Ajio Luxe, TataCliq IndiLuxe and Myntra, as well as 60+ multi-designer stores nationwide.

Shop the Kaftan Collection →

Ramola Bachchan with First Resort resort wear collection

Shop online — www.firstresort.in
Follow on Instagram — instagram.com/firstresortofficial

Visit Our Studio
23 Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Call +91-99997-24281
Google Maps Location

First Resort by Ramola Bachchan — resort wear for women Ramola Bachchan Creative Director of First Resort

 Ramola Bachchan — fashion designer and founder of First Resort

Ramola is a market leader in India's luxury and lifestyle sector, with a career spanning fashion, events, media, hospitality and culinary arts. She is of the strong view that India has become an exciting place to do business the global way.

Early Career — London (1991–2007)

Before settling in London, Ramola worked as an air hostess with BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation). She subsequently undertook a law conversion course at the London School of Economics, before passing the Solicitors Final Qualifying Examinations at the College of Law, Lancaster Gate, London in 1991. After qualifying, she joined Lawrence Graham, a leading London law firm. In 1992, she launched her media career as a television and radio presenter with TV Asia Group, hosting Face to Face (1992–1994), an interview programme featuring public figures including Tony Blair, Imran Khan, Ravi Shankar and David Mellor. In 1995, she founded RB Promotions, a public relations firm, organising 50+ events across fashion, music, arts and film — including the Ravi Shankar Concert for Peace at the Royal Albert Hall (1993), Tarun Tahiliani’s first solo fashion show at the Dorchester Hotel, London (1994), and fundraising galas at the Royal Festival Hall for organisations including the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, CARE International and Pratham UK. She served as a director of Pratham UK, a registered British charity supporting education in India, from 2004 to 2007.

Recognition

In December 2004, Ramola received the Asian of the Year Award — the third woman to receive the honour in the award’s seventeen-year history — at a gala ceremony in London attended by actor Dev Anand, House of Commons leader Peter Hain, and businessmen G.P. Hinduja and S.P. Hinduja. Previous recipients of the award included Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Baroness Shreela Flather and Keith Vaz.

Ramola Bachchan with designer Tarun Tahiliani

Manré — Fine Dining Restaurant

After returning to India in 2007, Ramola co-founded Manré, a fine dining European restaurant & bar in South Delhi, in partnership with industrialist Kanwar Deep Singh of the Alchemist Group. India Today described it as “easily among Delhi’s most expensive and exquisite fine dining spaces”; Outlook called the desserts “possibly the best you might eat in Delhi”; and food critic Vir Sanghvi, writing in the Hindustan Times, concluded that the restaurant “serves very good food at very reasonable prices”. The restaurant was also named one of the four top tables in Asia by Condé Nast Traveller in 2009.

Olive Restaurants

From 2012 to 2014, Ramola was associated with Olive Bar & Kitchen, a leading restaurant group based in Delhi.

Runway Rising — Fashion & Lifestyle Exhibition

Founded in 2012, Runway Rising was the leading fashion & lifestyle exhibition in New Delhi, running until 2019. Over seven years, each edition brought together 100–150 designers and drew approximately 2,500 visitors, featuring the latest in pret & couture fashion, jewellery, accessories, beauty & wellness and more. Previous participants included Balance by Rohit Bal, Indian by Manish Arora, Genes Leocanet Hemant, Lulu & Sky, Stalk Buy Love and many other leading names.

Runway Rising fashion and lifestyle exhibition New Delhi — curated by Ramola Bachchan Ramola Bachchan at Runway Rising Runway Rising fashion exhibition highlights, New Delhi

Runway Bridal — Weddings Exhibition & Fashion Show

Founded in 2014, Runway Bridal is the leading wedding exhibition in New Delhi, featuring bridalwear, jewellery, accessories and wedding services. Each edition brings together over 50 designers, 20 jewellers and draws approximately 1,500 visitors. Previous participants include Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, JJ Valaya, Ritu Kumar, Anju Modi, Manav Gangwani, Ashish N Soni, Siddartha Tytler and many other leading designers.

Ramola Bachchan at Runway Bridal pre-party event, New Delhi Runway Bridal fashion show, New Delhi Ramola Bachchan with designer Rohit Bal at Runway Bridal Ramola Bachchan with Rohit Bal Ramola Bachchan with designer Ritu Kumar Ramola Bachchan with Ritu Kumar at Runway Bridal Ramola Bachchan with JJ Valaya at Runway Bridal

HouseFull — Home Decor Exhibition

Founded in 2014, HouseFull is the leading home decor exhibition in New Delhi, featuring furniture, lighting, artwork, rugs, soft furnishings and more. Previous participants include K2 India by Sunita Kohli, Casa Pop by Raseel Gujral Ansal, Dyson, Villeroy & Boch and many other leading names.

Ramola Bachchan with Sunita Kohli at HouseFull home decor exhibition HouseFull home decor exhibition, New Delhi

RBC — Event Management

RBC is a New Delhi-based event management company specialising in store and product launches, with over 20 years of experience. Recent events include Ferrari, Massimo Dutti, Parmigiani Fleurier, Carl F. Bucherer, Ethos Watch Boutiques and Truefitt & Hill. For more details see rbconcepts.in.

Ramola Bachchan at Carl F. Bucherer Ethos Watch Boutiques event Ramola Bachchan at Jaipur Jewels store event Ramola Bachchan at Massimo Dutti launch event, New Delhi Massimo Dutti launch event by RBC, New Delhi

The Accidental Chef — Luxury Home Dining

Founded in 2020, The Accidental Chef is a personalised luxury home catering service in New Delhi. Ramola completed a 9-month course at the Institute of Culinary Management (ICE), New York, obtaining a Servesafe Manager certification in July 2023.

Order food in Delhi NCR: tinyurl.com/acchef

The Accidental Chef by Ramola Bachchan — luxury home dining, New Delhi

IIAD UNFOLD 2025

In May 2025, Ramola was a panelist at the IIAD UNFOLD 2025 graduation showcase at the India Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi, appearing alongside designer Tarun Tahiliani — recognised as one of India's leading voices in fashion and design.

Education

Ramola holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Politics from the University of Calcutta (Loretto College), a BA in Business Management from Webster University, St. Louis, USA, and qualified as a solicitor from the College of Law, Lancaster Gate, London (1991). She attended St. Helen's School, Northwood, Middlesex, UK.

Languages & Travel

Ramola is fluent in English, Hindi and French, and also speaks basic German and Italian. She has a strong passion for exploring the world to discover new cultures.

Ramola Bachchan

Follow Ramola Bachchan

Instagram — instagram.com/ramolabachchan
Facebook — facebook.com/ramola.bachchan
Twitter — twitter.com/ramolabachchan
LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/ramolabachchan
Crunchbase — crunchbase.com/person/ramola-bachchan
IMDb — imdb.com/name/nm1223376

Business & Media Inquiries

Call +91-95990-01682
WhatsApp Message
Email info@firstresort.in
For Store Events: rbconcepts.in

In The Media

  • The New York Times — "Delhi's Neighborhoods of Art, Bars and Boutiques" (September 2022)
  • The Independent — "A Bombay Mixer in London" — long-form profile by Luke Jennings (December 1995)
  • Condé Nast Traveller India — Manré named one of Asia's top four tables (2009)
  • The Statesman — "It gives a sense of happiness to see someone wearing your collection" (interview)
  • Hindustan Times — Asian of the Year Award coverage (December 2004)
  • Hindustan Times — Runway Rising coverage (July 2019)
  • Business Micro — IIAD UNFOLD 2025: panelist alongside Tarun Tahiliani (May 2025)
  • The Economic Times — Profile interview: family, fashion and Mumbai expansion (May 2014)
  • India Today — Manré restaurant launch, New Delhi (June 2008)
  • India Today — Entrepreneur profile: 25 shows, 140 designers (December 2017)
  • The Times of India — Runway Rising inaugural edition at Claridges (October 2012)
  • The Times of India — Runway Rising 12th edition coverage (March 2016)
  • The Indian Express — Fashion curation and Mumbai market entry (June 2014)
  • Femina — "Ramola Bachchan Talks Fashion, Family and Luxury" (October 2016)
  • Rediff — Asian of the Year Award coverage (December 2004)

Also Featured In

Around The Web

On Social Media

  • Instagram — Reel feature (May 2025)
  • CNN News18 — Facebook post: Amitabh Bachchan played matchmaker (May 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ramola Bachchan?

Ramola Bachchan is a New Delhi-based fashion designer, entrepreneur and Creative Director of First Resort — India's leading resort wear label for women. Hailing from the renowned Bachchan family, she has spent three decades building businesses across fashion, events, media, hospitality and culinary arts in London and New Delhi.

Is Ramola Bachchan related to Amitabh Bachchan?

Ramola Bachchan was married to Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of actor Amitabh Bachchan, in 1973. She had known Amitabh since the 1960s, when they moved in the same social circle in Calcutta.

What is First Resort?

First Resort is an Indian resort wear label for women founded by Ramola Bachchan in 2018. Known for its vibrant prints and effortless silhouettes, the brand offers inclusive sizing from XS to 8XL and has been featured in The New York Times. Shop at firstresort.in.

What sizes does First Resort carry?

First Resort carries sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL, 7XL, 8XL and Custom Size — one of the widest size ranges of any Indian resort wear brand.

Where is First Resort based?

First Resort is based in New Delhi, India. The studio is at 23 Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Shop online at firstresort.in.

Where can I buy First Resort clothing?

First Resort is available online at firstresort.in and on Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Nykaa Fashion, Ajio Luxe, TataCliq IndiLuxe and Myntra.

What is Ramola Bachchan's background?

Ramola Bachchan grew up in Kolkata and was educated in India, the US and the UK. Before settling in London, she worked as an air hostess with BOAC and later undertook a law conversion course at the London School of Economics, qualifying as a solicitor at the College of Law, London in 1991. She built a career in television, events and philanthropy in London — hosting public figures including Tony Blair and Imran Khan on TV Asia, organising the Ravi Shankar Concert for Peace at the Royal Albert Hall, producing Tarun Tahiliani’s first solo fashion show, and receiving the Asian of the Year award in 2004. She returned to India in 2007 and founded First Resort in 2018.

What award did Ramola Bachchan receive?

In December 2004, Ramola received the Asian of the Year Award at a gala ceremony in London — becoming the third woman to receive the honour in the award’s seventeen-year history. The ceremony was attended by actor Dev Anand, House of Commons leader Peter Hain, and businessmen G.P. Hinduja and S.P. Hinduja. Previous recipients included Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Baroness Shreela Flather and Keith Vaz.

What is Runway Rising?

Runway Rising was a fashion and lifestyle exhibition in New Delhi, founded by Ramola Bachchan in 2012 and running until 2019. Over seven years, each edition brought together 100–150 designers and drew approximately 2,500 visitors, featuring the latest in pret and couture fashion, jewellery, accessories, beauty and wellness.

Where is Ramola Bachchan from?

Ramola Bachchan grew up in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. She later moved to the United Kingdom, where she built her career in law, television and events in London across the 1990s and early 2000s. She returned to India in 2007 and is now based in New Delhi.

What television shows did Ramola Bachchan present?

In London, Ramola Bachchan presented programmes for TV Asia, where she hosted prominent guests including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, and sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. She was among the first Indian women to build a television presenting career in the UK.

What other businesses has Ramola Bachchan founded?

Beyond First Resort, Ramola Bachchan co-founded Manré, a fine dining restaurant in New Delhi praised by critics including food writer Vir Sanghvi and covered by India Today and Outlook. She also founded Runway Rising (a fashion and lifestyle exhibition, 2012–2019), Runway Bridal, HouseFull (a home décor exhibition), The Accidental Chef luxury dining experience, and RBC event management.