Balenciaga joins hands with Reliance to enter the Indian market
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New Delhi: European luxury fashion house Balenciaga has made a deal with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) to make its debut in the Indian fashion market. The deal was signed with the goal of bringing the best of global couture to India.
The long-term franchise agreement will ensure that RBL is the sole Indian partner to Balenciaga in the country. This is Reliance's second partnership with Kering, the parent group of Balenciaga. RBL has made a similar agreement with Bottega Veneta.
Darshan Mehta, MD of Reliance Brands Limited, said a few brands have actually embraced the opportunity for creative reinterpretation and reinvention quite like Balenciaga. "Their avant-garde and ingenious creations, bold use of the logo, and a consequent cult in the fashion industry have already created a strong footing throughout the world."
"It's the most opportune time to introduce the brand to the country as the Indian luxury customer has matured and used fashion as a form of creative expression of their individuality," he added.
Balenciaga was founded by Spanish-born Cristobal Balenciaga in 1917. He established the brand in Paris in 1937. French luxury group Kering later acquired the brand.
It is known for being a couturier of uncompromising standards. The original house is hailed for defining modern couture with several innovations to form and technique. Customers even risked their safety during World War II to travel to Europe and see Balenciaga's clothing.
The current creative director of the brand Demna Gvasalia has been adamant about upholding the brand's vision through boundary-pushing collections. The brand has now expanded to women's and men's ready-to-wear and accessories.
The Paris Fashion Week of March 2022 saw the brand expressing support for Ukraine. T-shirts in the colours of the Ukrainian flag were placed on every chair. Demna also recited a poem by Ukrainian writer Oleksandr Oles at the beginning and the end of the show. The company has been donating to the UN World Food Programme to support refugees.