Maker of Men's Socks Supports Family Businesses

By JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 20, 2010

V.K. Nagrani (left) has found common ground between the Republican and Democratic parties.

President Barack Obama and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all wear his Ovadafut Hosiery Company’s socks.

Nagrani, 38, a native of India who lives in New York, founded Ovadafut Hosiery Company, which makes limited-edition luxury socks for men, 11 years ago. The socks are comfortable, colorful, stylish and fashionable.

“Socks are an under-the-radar kind of thing,” Nagrani says. “The men who wear these socks are private. They are presidents and CEOs and senators. I like to think I make something that is fun and exciting and something that is enjoyable and puts a smile on your face when you wear it.”

Nagrani, who also designs men’s underwear, will be at Larrimor’s Friday and Saturday for trunk shows.

Nagrani designed a sock line for Big Brothers Big Sisters that will be unveiled at Friday’s trunk show. The socks are made from 65 percent Peruvian pima cotton mixed with 30 percent nylon and topped with 5 percent Lycra.

Most of the socks sell for around $35 a pair. The lines include Boldly Blue, Grandly Green, Groovy Grey, Purple Reign, Splash of Pink, and Italian Olives.

Family-owned production facilities are in Italy and Peru. Each sock is finely crafted with fabrics that conform to a man’s leg, provide support and luxury, and stay up all day. They also wick away moisture.

Nagrani won’t sell to department or chain stores.

“Somebody has to stand up for the little guy,” Nagrani says. “When I started, it was the little guys who helped me make a living, so now it is my turn to help them.”

Because of Nagrani’s commitment to selling to family-owned businesses, Larrimor’s president Tom Michael is grateful.

“V.K. understands what family businesses are all about,” Michael says. “He also makes the best socks. Once you put them on, you’ll know. And they aren’t just for men, either. I know women who buy them for men but keep them for themselves.”

Nagrani limits his production to 312 pairs of each style.

“You can show your personality through your socks and cufflinks and ties and accessories,” he says. “Some people will say this sock thing is crazy, but you will become the center of attention if you wear a pair of my socks. People will notice, and your feet and legs will feel great.”