Galeries Lafayette taps into India’s luxury aspiration

“India’s luxury market is entering a new era, shaped not just by rising wealth but by shifting values, purchase logic, and cultural relevance.” That’s how Kearney, the American management firm, describes India’s growing appetite for luxury, as a prologue to its report published earlier this year titled, “India: The New Luxury Hotspot?” The fact that the country has a widening aspiration for owning global luxury brands, beyond the game of logo visibility and signalling wealth, is now established. In the past decade, a flurry of brands have entered the country, many in partnership with Indian luxury conglomerates, to test and satisfy this demand. Apart from fashion, beauty is a segment that has also received exponential levels of attention, offering a stage that may not always guarantee profitability but does ensure business value and enough options for the consumer.

So, for a storied, heritage brand like Galeries Lafayette to enter India, in alliance with the Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), is undoubtedly a valuable move. But, why now? Sathyajit Radhakrishnan, CEO, International Brands at ABFRL, credits the evolution of audiences and local retail infrastructure, while adding that the “globally engaged” consumer base is another reason to tap into the segment. “The luxury market is projected to reach USD 90 billion by 2030, a 3.5 times increase from today (Bain & Co.), with the ultra-high-net-worth population expected to grow 50 per cent between 2023 and 2028, the fastest globally. India is not just a growth market anymore; it is becoming a creative and cultural force in global luxury,” he explains. 

On October 15, a select list of designers, entrepreneurs, editors, stylists and more experienced the store, before its formal opening scheduled for the beginning of November. The evening started over the Arabian Sea, where amid the sights of the sunset framed by the Gateway of India and the Taj Hotel—both historic landmarks that spell the synergies of old and new Mumbai—the celebrations kicked off. Spread across yachts, the crowd welcomed the brand with balloons and sailboats branded with Galeries Lafayette, marking an indelible moment that made just the right amount (and kind) of noise.     

The store is established a few kilometres away, in the heritage precinct of Kala Godha that already boasts of big fashion spaces. Spread across a massive 90,000 sq. ft. and five floors, it will house over 250 brands, dominantly international. The Indian curation is limited but completely in sync with the global outlook of the brand. For instance, the Delhi-headquartered Hemant & Nandita, which is known for a big US market and for its nichely curated resort-town sales. And, Kartik Research by designer Kartik Kumra, who reimagines Indian textiles for a young, global audience. The modern minimalism of Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva and the holiday vibes of Verandah by Anjali Patel Mehta also make the cut. The curation is sharp, and intentional. 

“What stands out is how the store amalgamates Parisian flair and Indian sensibilities. While the architectural language remains international, the soul is unmistakably Indian. From the materiality and textures to the art collaborations inspired by India’s craft heritage and contemporary creative expression,” adds Radhakrishnan. The craft comes not only by the aesthetic of the interiors, helmed by the London-based architectural firm Virgile + Partners, but also from the debut of brands like Chorus. Being touted as the evolution of brand Moonray, which was founded by the mother-daughter duo Karishma and Avantika Swali, it promises a more craft-forward, hand-detail-oriented clothing experience, courtesy of a collaboration with the Chanakya School of Craft. 

In terms of international selection, Galeries Lafayette is throwing out a challenge to conglomerates and independent brands to match their curation. On a first visit, what was spotted was the likes of Japanese cult label Comme des Garçons and French fashion house Patou, alongside a glimpse of Hermès Beauty, which is expected to have a selection bigger than most global outlets. As Radhakrishnan concludes: “For someone discovering luxury, it is an opportunity to explore a refined, globally benchmarked experience in an environment designed for engagement.”

All images: The brand 

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