Kering Generation Award Launched in India
On September 8, 2026, Kering issued a press release from Mumbai announcing the launch of the Kering Generation Award in India, marking the first introduction of this sustainability‑focused startup competition in the region. The award program, originally launched in 2018, has previously operated in China, Japan, and the MENA region (including Saudi Arabia) to identify startups delivering environmental and social impact in fashion.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Kering’s Paris headquarters between Marie‑Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability & Institutional Affairs Officer of Kering, and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President of Reliance Brands Limited. The MoU formalises a partnership to deliver the Indian edition of the award, with the explicit aim of promoting circular innovation and resource‑protecting initiatives within the Indian fashion ecosystem.
The Indian award will focus on startups proposing circular solutions that reduce the environmental and social footprint of fashion from raw material sourcing to product end‑of‑life. It will collaborate with the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, which is partnered with the United Nations in India and will serve as the exclusive nominating partner for the competition.
The award ceremony is scheduled for October 13, 2026 at the Embassy of France in Delhi, coinciding with Delhi Fashion Week and the Franco‑Indian Year of Innovation, providing a high‑visibility platform for the selected innovators.
About Kering
Kering is a global, family‑led luxury group that owns brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and many others. In 2025, the group employed 44,000 people worldwide and generated revenue of €14.7 billion.
About the Kering Generation Award
The award originated in 2017 as part of Kering’s sustainability strategy, initially partnering with the Plug and Play – Fashion for Good accelerator in Europe. In 2018, Kering launched the first edition of the award in China in partnership with Plug and Play China, subsequently expanding to Japan and Saudi Arabia with support from local fashion commissions.
About Reliance Brands Limited
Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) is a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd., established in 2007 to launch, scale, and nurture global fashion and lifestyle brands in India across the luxury to premium spectrum. RBL’s portfolio includes iconic names such as Armani Exchange, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Coach, Dior, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Valentino, Versace, and many others. The company currently operates over 1,855 doors across India, comprising standalone stores and shop‑in‑shops. RBL has also invested in Indian designer labels and completed notable acquisitions, including Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy retailer, which now operates in 12 countries with more than 175 stores.