Reliance Brands has secured a long-term deal with Kering Group to bring luxury label Balenciaga to India, two weeks after sealing the distribution agreement with Valentino. 

Under the agreement, Reliance Brands will be the sole partner to launch Balenciaga in the country. 

“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,” said Darshan Mehta, MD of Reliance Brands.

Balenciaga will join Reliance Brands’ portfolio of luxury brands and homegrown Indian designer brands, including Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo and Salvatore Ferragamo. The Indian retailer operates 821 stores and 1263 shop-in-shop across the country. 

The partnership with Kering Group follows Reliance Brands’ series of franchise deals with international brands over the past few months, including Maison Valentino, Pret A Manger and Italian luxury lifestyle brand Tod’s. 

Reliance Brands, earlier this year, also expanded its portfolio of Indian designer brands with the acquisition of Rahul Mishra and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. 

Founded in 1919 by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga, the Kering-owned fashion label is known for defining modern couture with its innovations and technique.