Navigating the landscape of India’s top luxury clothing brands presents a unique challenge, reflecting a blend of rich customs and evolving shopping preferences. For those with deep pockets and a visit planned to New Delhi, this guide is essential for indulging in high-end fashion.
Contrary to expectations, Western luxury labels face less popularity in India’s clothing and jewelry markets. The country’s affluent class, deeply rooted in conservative traditions, finds strong competition from local designers who offer competitive pricing. Import duties amplify prices by up to 10% compared to Europe or the US, limiting availability to upscale malls, luxury hotels, and online platforms, which are gaining momentum. Yet, India’s luxury market complexity lies deeper.
The tactile experience remains paramount for Indian consumers, not just for shopping gratification but also to steer clear of counterfeit products flooding in from nearby China. This preference underscores the nuanced dynamics of India’s luxury retail landscape.
Western brands have often struggled to establish a strong foothold in India due to a lack of understanding of its vast cultural diversity. With such a large and varied population, a one-size-fits-all approach in design and marketing inevitably leads to financial setbacks. However, Montblanc stands out as an exception by offering regional adaptations of their products, a strategy that has proven highly successful in the Indian market.
For those wondering where to indulge in luxury items like Chanel crystal slippers or a Dior bathrobe within India, DLF Emporio in Delhi is a prime destination. This upscale mall hosts a Parisian-esque enclave where you can shop for top-tier brands such as Harry Winston and Armani couture. However, the prices here are often exorbitant, prompting some to consider shopping in Paris instead. If high fashion isn’t your priority and you’re simply looking for the top men’s shirt brands globally, finding them in India might not be fruitful—going shirtless might seem like a more practical option.
My journey to establish a credible ranking methodology led me to cross-reference information from various sources. Compiling lists of the world’s most expensive fashion brands involved sifting through articles from Forbes, Business Insider, In Style Beads, Success Story, and others. By averaging their rankings, I identified the top brands available at Emporio and Palladium malls in India. Interestingly, brands like Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, and Marc Jacobs do not have stores in India, thus they were excluded from my final ranking of the most expensive clothing brands available in the country. Curious to see the list? Click Next to discover the results.
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Apart from being renowned as one of the priciest fashion labels in India, it also holds a notable world record. Louis Vuitton inaugurated its first store at Delhi’s DLF Emporio Mall in 2003, followed by another in Mumbai a year later, and subsequently, a second Delhi location, establishing itself as a trailblazer among luxury Western brands setting up in India. Presently, there are four Louis Vuitton stores across the country.
I hope this enriches your next luxury shopping experience in India. By the way, if you find yourself at DLF, I have a keen interest in footwear. Just thought you should know!
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Ranked second among the most luxurious clothing brands in India, Gucci made its direct entry into the Indian retail market in 2009 through a partnership agreement with Reena and Ashok Wadhwa’s holding company. However, Gucci had established its presence in the country even before that. Currently, Gucci operates two stores in India exclusively offering clothing: one located at DLF Emporio and another at Mumbai’s Galleria. Additionally, their jewelry, timepieces, and accessories are available at several other retail outlets across the country.
In India, there is only one Chanel store that exclusively offers clothing, located at the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. Additionally, Chanel operates three other stores focused on beauty, perfumes, and skincare products, where they hold a prominent position in the market. Among these, the DLF Emporio store in Delhi stands out, renowned for its exquisite design crafted by Chanel’s own artistic team. It is one of only three such retail outlets in the country, making it a coveted destination for Delhi’s fashion enthusiasts who appreciate its exclusive appeal. Now, let’s explore the top two entries on our list of the most luxurious clothing brands available in India.
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Despite having multiple authorized distributors, Dior, ranked fourth among the most expensive clothing brands in India, currently operates only two of its own stores in the country: one located at DLF Emporio and another at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Quite impressive, isn’t it?
Armani, with its various branches, operates a total of 18 stores throughout India, including 1 Armani Casa, 11 Armani Jeans, 1 Armani Junior, 4 Emporio Armani, and 1 Giorgio Armani. The first Giorgio Armani store in India, along with the initial Emporio Armani outlet, debuted in 2008 at the DLF Emporio Mall.
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In this country, there are two Hermès outlets: one at DLF Emporio mall in New Delhi (currently a temporary location until the DLF Chanakya store opens), and another at Horniman Circle in Mumbai, considered the city’s point zero. To mark its opening, a special edition Sari, a traditional Indian garment, was introduced as part of the brand’s promotional efforts.
Versace, known for its luxury clothing, has a limited presence in India with just three stores. You can find two in New Delhi, including one at Emporio, and another in Mumbai. Despite this small footprint, Versace has successfully leveraged online sales, gaining significant popularity in the country. Partnering with the Infinite Luxury Group has further strengthened Versace’s position in the Indian market.
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Certainly! Burberry operates a total of seven stores throughout India, including locations at DLF Emporio and Palladium. This presence is noteworthy in the luxury sector, particularly since the brand re-entered the Indian market physically in 2013.
The brand’s performance has been impressive. According to Nalini Gupta’s LinkedIn profile, she achieved the highest retail footprint for a luxury brand in India, consistently achieving double-digit revenue growth year after year. Way to go!
Despite being one of the priciest fashion labels globally, Guess? finds its niche in India not through exclusive luxury but primarily through its renowned denim products. The brand’s upcoming store opening at DLF Mall of India highlights its growing presence in the country.
When Guess? first launched its store in India in 2005, Giuliano Sartori, vice president of international retail, noted, “India marks our 68th country of operation worldwide. What pleasantly surprised me was the existing brand awareness among Indian consumers. We didn’t need extensive advertising to introduce the brand here.”
In 2006, Fendi launched its inaugural store in India, located at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Francois Ganes, overseeing India and West Asia for the brand, expressed ambitious plans at the time, aiming to establish six boutiques across India within the following five years, underscoring the country’s significant market potential. However, these plans did not materialize as envisioned.
Presently, Fendi maintains a single flagship store at DLF Emporio, prominently featuring its brand signage and window displays. This year, they unveiled a noteworthy addition in the form of a four-story flagship pop-up store, Fendi Ginza, paying homage to their birthplace, Rome.