Mumbai, NFAPost: RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED (RBL) together with Rahul Mishra (RM), will embark on a collaborative journey to create and own a new brand that would encompass Rahul Mishra’s ready to wear business through a 60:40 Joint Venture (either by itself and / or through its affiliates).
Joining forces with the designer, the new brand would be synonymous with excellence and creativity the world over, presenting an exclusive Ready to Wear Collection at one of the global fashion weeks.
The brand will grow both vertically and horizontally to cross-pollinate creativity further in the fields of accessories, footwear, home, beauty, and jewellery for a worldwide audience.
A champion of mindful fashion who employs local artisans to bestow their traditions on modern designs, Rahul Mishra has many firsts to his credit. In January 2020, he became the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture week.
Through the past five seasons at the Paris Haute Couture Week, he has taken the Indian savoir-faire global with his unique perspective rooted in the philosophy of the 3 E’s – Environment, Employment and Empowerment. The brand also made its debut at India Couture week in 2015 – widening its footprint within the country as well.
His eponymous couture label with two flagship stores in India and a thriving national and international distribution channel finds its genesis in the ideas of sustainability.
Back in 2014, Rahul Mishra also became the first Indian to win the coveted Woolmark Prize at Milan Fashion Week. The journey of Rahul Mishra’s global Ready to Wear started at Paris Fashion Week in 2015 and grew from strength to strength in a showcase over 13 seasons.
His aesthetic marrying his Indian heritage with European cuts and tailoring created a strong international footprint retailing at some of the best stores across the world which included Colette in Paris, 10 Corso Como in Milan, Harvey Nichols in London, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, David Jones in Australia, Joyce in China, and the likes of Moda Operandi and Farfetch with online retail.
Commenting on the partnership, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (holding company of all retail companies in Reliance Industries Limited group) Director Isha Ambani said Rahul Mishra’s flawless contemporary design sense and stunningly intricate pieces have spotlighted Indian expertise in crafts globally.
“Accompanied with his expertise in leveraging international fashion forums to accelerate brand building and creating a global customer base, it’s the perfect secret sauce to co-create a global brand. It’s a strategic part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing Indian art and culture,” said Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd Director Isha Ambani.
Beginning with the inception of a unique brand identity with a voice of its own, combined with a strategy to launch on an international fashion week platform, the new brand will anchor on Rahul’s exceptional design expertise coupled with RBL’s retail playbook for end-to-end value creation, ushering a game-changing new era in global fashion. The intent is to have a worldwide footprint with dedicated flagship stores at fashion capitals around the world in the next 5 years.
Expresing happiness over the development, Rahul Mishra said his desing team is excited to have the wonderful opportunity via this JV to partner with the market leader Reliance Brands that brings with it a strong know-how in management of the luxury and retail landscape.
“The care they take to nurture the growth of some of the world’s best luxury brands, their understanding of every aspect of the business process resonates with our vision for growing the vistas for Rahul Mishra Design House,” said Rahul Mishra.
Reflecting on the critical and commercial success of Rahul Mishra couture collections, he said it has been our desire to equally focus on ready-to-wear business and extend our universe by democratising the fashion cultivated by the company.
“With this partnership for the new brand, we are sure of achieving mindful growth while giving the process its due attention and care,” said Rahul Mishra. Rahul Mishra will lead the creative direction of the new brand as Creative Director.
ABOUT Reliance Brands Limited
Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) is part of India’s largest private sector company, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) that had a consolidated turnover of $73.8 billion in the year ended 31st March 2021. Making RIL the highest ranked Indian company in Fortune’s Global 500 list of “World’s Largest Companies”.
RBL began operations in 2007 with a mandate to launch and build global brands in luxury to premium segment across fashion and lifestyle. Its current portfolio of brand partnerships comprises AK-OK, Armani Exchange, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Canali, Coach, Diesel, Dune, EA7, Emporio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, G-Star Raw, Gas, Giorgio Armani, Hamleys, Hugo Boss, Hunkemoller, Iconix, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Mothercare, Muji, Paul & Shark, Paul Smith, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Replay, Ritu Kumar, Salvatore Ferragamo, Satya Paul, Steve Madden, Superdry, Scotch & Soda, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Tumi, Valentino, Versace, Villeroy & Boch and West Elm. RBL today operates 1,596 doors split into 680 stores and 916 shop-in-shops in India. In May 2019, RBL marked its first international foray by acquiring the British toy retailer, Hamleys. Globally Hamleys has 215 doors across 17 countries.
RBL also has equity investments in Indian couture brands Manish Malhotra and Raghavendra Rathore.
