Retail Pioneer Darshan Mehta Has Died

Darshan Mehta, a trailblazer of luxury retail in India, has died aged 64, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has announced.

In his 17-year-long tenure with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), Mehta served as president and chief executive, before transitioning to a non-executive, advisory role on the company’s board in November.

RBL — which Mehta founded in 2007 as the first employee — is a subsidiary of Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and is the largest player in India’s premium to luxury fashion market. The company has introduced a portfolio of more than 85 international brands to the country, including Valentino, Balenciaga, Giorgio Armani, Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch and Salvatore Ferragamo.

In recent years, Mehta spearheaded RIL’s investment spree in upmarket Indian designer labels such as Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Anamika Khanna, Abraham & Thakore, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and Ritu Kumar.

Mehta, a chartered accountant, served as president of Arvind Brands Limited before joining RIL. Prior to that, he worked at Price Waterhouse in Mumbai and Trikaya Grey Advertising.

In an Instagram post announcing his passing, the FDCI called Mehta, “the retail king of India,” whose “contribution leaves a lasting imprint.”

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