Darshan Mehta’s designer coup: 5 kinds of labels he brought to Reliance

Darshan Mehta, the founding head of Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) and a pivotal force in India’s luxury fashion evolution, passed away on April 10, 2025 at the age of 63 after suffering a sudden heart attack. A fitness enthusiast and passionate trekker, Darshan spent 17 years building Reliance’s premium-to-luxury portfolio from the ground up, leaving behind a legacy that redefined how Indians shop for global fashion.

Remembering the visionary behind Reliance Brands’ luxury portfolio

• Darshan was instrumental in introducing prestigious international names like Valentino, Balenciaga, Giorgio Armani, and Ermenegildo Zegna — brands known for couture-level craftsmanship and global fashion authority.

• Under his leadership, Reliance acquired partnerships with luxury jewellery giants like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and premium accessory brands such as Jimmy Choo and Bvlgari.

• Darshan facilitated the Indian entry of classic European labels like Burberry and Versace, reinforcing RBL’s position in the heritage luxury space.

• Not limited to fashion, Darshan expanded RBL’s scope with global lifestyle names such as Pottery Barn, tapping into aspirational Indian home consumers.

• He strategically backed India’s top fashion talents — investing in designer houses like Manish Malhotra, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, Rahul Mishra, and Abraham & Thakore, ensuring homegrown couture had a platform as grand as their global peers.