Fenty Beauty Chooses Nykaa for India Debut Over Sephora
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has finalized a deal with beauty retailer Nykaa for its much-anticipated launch in India, diverging from earlier speculation linking the brand’s debut with Sephora.
Reports initially suggested a partnership between Rihanna and the French multinational Sephora following the singer’s performance at the pre-wedding celebration of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s son. Ambani, chair of Fortune 500 company Reliance Industries, recently acquired Sephora’s India branch from Arvind Fashions.
Social media buzzed with speculation about Rihanna’s motives for the performance, with many speculating it was a strategic move to strengthen business ties in India rather than a simple financial transaction. The event, which marked Rihanna’s first full set in over eight years, reportedly earned her around $6 million.
Western beauty brands have increasingly targeted the Indian market, evident with Chanel’s recent opening of its first beauty shop in Mumbai. Fenty Beauty’s decision to partner with Nykaa underscores the growing significance of the Indian beauty market.
The debut of Fenty Beauty on Nykaa’s Cross Border Store on March 7th will feature iconic products like the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer and Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter. Anchit Nayar, Executive Director and CEO of Nykaa Beauty, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing Fenty Beauty’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, which aligns with Nykaa’s mission of democratizing beauty for all Indians.
