The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, Motier Chairman Philippe Houzé and Galeries Lafayette Group Executive Chairman Nicolas Houzé came together in Mumbai to underscore the broader cultural and economic significance of Galeries Lafayette’s entry into India.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mathou said that, as an iconic French retail brand, Galeries Lafayette embodied and promoted the French ‘Art of Living’. He expressed the hope that the Mumbai store would evolve into a cultural destination in its own right, serving as a platform where French and Indian creativity could flourish and where future collaborations in fashion, art and design might thrive.
Kumar Mangalam Birla described the collaboration as transformative, noting that both India and France had mastered the balance between heritage and modernity and had a shared ability to turn partnerships into something greater than the sum of their parts. He said the Mumbai flagship stood as a vivid symbol of this trust and dynamism, creating a space where French artistry converged with the energy of a new India.
Reflecting on the partnership with the Aditya Birla Group, Nicolas Houzé said the collaboration marked a milestone in Galeries Lafayette’s global expansion and represented a strategic entry into India’s fast-growing luxury market. He stated that Mumbai, with its vibrancy and diversity, was an ideal home for the flagship—a place where French Art de Vivre could meet Indian inventiveness and where luxury could become an experience enriched by culture, art and emotion.
Spanning 90,000 sq.ft. across five levels, the Mumbai flagship offers a curated portfolio of more than 250 luxury and designer brands from around the world. The store officially opened its doors on 8th November 2025 in Mumbai.
