In a moment that blends business vision with cultural celebration, The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Philippe Houzé, Chairman of Motier and Nicolas Houzé, Executive Chairman, Galeries Lafayette Group came together in Mumbai to highlight the deeper significance of Galeries Lafayette’s presence in India.

Following its landmark opening last week, the engagement celebrated not merely a retail milestone, but a defining moment of collaboration between India and France, two nations united by their shared passion for artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation.

The evening represented more than the launch of a global retail icon as it was a celebration of the spirit of two nations reflecting the harmony between French savoir-faire and Indian enterprise. Together, they are reimagining luxury as a platform for cross-cultural creativity, sustainability, and design innovation. Galeries Lafayette’s arrival in India is not simply the introduction of a French heritage brand, but the creation of a new cultural space where French artistry finds renewed meaning in the vibrant energy and creativity of India.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Thierry Mathou remarked, “it is a pleasure to be with you this evening for the inauguration of Galeries Lafayette, a major landmark in France’s outreach in India. As an emblematic French retail brand, Galeries Lafayette actively embodies and promotes the French ‘Art of Living’. We hope that, beyond being a store, Galeries Lafayette in Mumbai will become a cultural destination in its own right – a space where French and Indian creativity can flourish, and where future collaborations in fashion, art, and design will thrive.”

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, highlighted the transformative nature of this collaboration, stating, “The strength of this partnership lies in its blend of imagination and reliability. India and France know how to balance heritage with modernity, and how to turn collaboration into something far greater than the sum of its parts. This Galeries Lafayette store in Mumbai stands as a vivid symbol of that trust and dynamism. It is a living dialogue between two cultures that have long admired one another. It creates a new space where French artistry meets the energy of a new India. And it reflects the power of two storied business groups coming together to create something truly iconic.”

Recognizing the partnership as a milestone in Galeries Lafayette’s global expansion and its entry into India’s rapidly growing luxury economy, Nicolas Houzé, Executive Chairman, Galeries Lafayette Group reflecting on the collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group, added, “Mumbai, with its energy and diversity, is the perfect home for this flagship, a place where French Art de Vivre meets Indian inventiveness, where luxury becomes an experience open to culture, art, and emotion. May Galeries Lafayette Mumbai stand as a lasting symbol of friendship, excellence, and shared creativity between France and India.”

Spanning 90,000 sq. ft. across five levels, the India flagship translates Galeries Lafayette’s global design philosophy into the Indian context merging French elegance with Mumbai’s vibrant architectural heritage to create a modern reinterpretation of tradition and innovation. The curated portfolio brings together more than 250 revered luxury and designer brands from across the globe. The flagship officially opened its doors on 8th November 2025 at Turner Morrison Building, 16 G. Vaidya Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai.