LONDON — L52 Communications, which specializes in fashion, luxury, design and lifestyle, has spotted opportunity in the fast-growing Indian market and plans to open an office in Mumbai, the country’s media and financial capital.

The agency, which is based in London and has an office in New York, will be among the first international fashion and luxury PRs to plant a flag in the market, where fashion sales are growing in the double-digits fueled by thriving industries such as tech, health care, sports and entertainment.    

Adam Shapiro founded L52 in 2016, and built up a client roster that includes Fendi, Gabriela Hearst, Jacquemus, Loro Piana, Miu Miu, Etro and Totême. He believes that with a slowdown in demand in more mature markets, “smart brands are looking at India, and Indian brands are keen to access global markets. There’s a huge opportunity for us.”

Galeries Lafayette is set to open stores in Mumbai and Delhi over the next two years, while 10 Corso Como plans to plant its flag in Delhi later this year with local partners.

As reported, Saks Global has signed a franchising agreement with Reliance Industries Limited, the giant Mumbai-based conglomerate, to open Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th stores in the country.

In 2025, India’s fashion market is projected to grow between 12 and 17 percent, while The Reserve Bank of India expects luxury sales to surge between 6.5 and 7 percent year-on-year, driven by a population of nearly 1.5 billion and a growing middle class.

Shapiro decided to open in Mumbai because it’s the country’s media capital, and because he has strong ties to the city, India’s second largest urban center after Delhi.

Shapiro’s husband was born and raised in Mumbai, “and through my time spent there, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how fashion, artisanship and hospitality are central to the country’s culture,” he said.

L52 Mumbai will be led by Anupam Sehgal, a marketing and communications expert with experience across luxury, fashion and consumer industries in India. L52’s plan is to focus on strategic partnerships, VIC engagement and leverage regional expertise.

Sehgal, whose title is vice president, said “L52 Mumbai will act as a trusted partner, guiding global brands into this market while also supporting Indian designers looking to expand internationally. Our approach is tailored, leveraging local insights and global expertise to create meaningful impact.”

Sehgal’s background includes roles at Nykaa Fashion, Porsche, Lamborghini and Samsonite. He led the relaunch of Fila in India, and brought The Hollywood Reporter and Esquire to the region.

He believes the appetite for luxury fashion is growing, and that “old money is mingling with new money” in the region. In Mumbai, there’s also lots of red carpet action, while Indian film, fashion and style has a powerful influence on consumer markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

L52 Mumbai also plans to offer tailored services including wholesale introductions, “VIC clienteling, strategic partnerships, regional strategy and high-impact brand activations,” according to Shapiro.

To mark its launch, L52 will host an industry showcase in Mumbai on May 15, with plans to bring together international and Indian brands and guests from media, fashion, luxury and Bollywood.