Italian fashion house Valentino to partner with Reliance to enter Indian market

NEW DELHI: Valentino, the Italian luxury fashion house is set to enter the Indian markets under a long-term distribution agreement with Reliance Brands Limited. As per the agreement, the company will open two Valentino stores - the first in Delhi and its flagship store in Mumbai.

Reliance Retail Ventures, Reliance Brands, said in a statement on Thursday that the Delhi store will open in late summer 2022. "Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) has inked a long-term distribution agreement with Valentino to bring to India the most established Italian Maison de Couture," the company said, adding that the stores will stock the brand's full range across womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories.

Darshan Mehta, MD, Reliance Brands, spoke about the partnership and said that it will help make the brand more accessible to Indian consumers and build a new tribe of Valentino enthusiasts. The brand is currently present in over 144 locations through 212 Valentino directly operated boutiques and over 1,300 points of sale, NIE reported.

Jacopo Venturini, CEO of Maison Valentino said, "The upcoming store opening represents a significant step in Valentino's global strategy, and we are honoured to be part of the country's growing retail market, allowing the company and the Valentino Community to grow in a solid way, according to our values and brand culture." The company's statement added that the Delhi branch would be opened in DLF Emporio over a 162sqm boutique