Indian fast fashion brands launch three stores in UAE via Rapheal Lifestyle; plan wider expansion in GCC and beyond
Highlander and Tokyo Talkies, two of India’s fastest-growing fashion brands under Brand Studio Lifestyle, have officially expanded to the Middle East with the launch of three flagship stores across the UAE. The high-impact debut—executed in partnership with Rapheal Lifestyle—marks a significant step in the brands’ global growth strategy.
All three stores were inaugurated on the same day—30 July 2025—with Indian cricketer Sanju Samson doing the honours. The stores are located in prime retail destinations: BurJuman Mall in Dubai and both Sahara Centre and Mega Mall in Sharjah. While the Sahara Centre outlet spans 9,000 sq. ft., the other two cover 5,000 sq. ft. each.
Catering to the region’s style-savvy, value-conscious youth, the stores offer an immersive, trend-driven shopping experience. Featuring the brands’ signature runway-inspired looks and affordability, the launch brings a bold, youthful Indian fashion aesthetic to the GCC market.
A Defining Global Milestone
“This is a defining chapter in our journey,” said Shyam S Prasad, Co-Founder & CEO, Brand Studio Lifestyle. “With our entry into the Middle East, we are exporting a bold, confident Indian fashion identity to the world. We’re among the pioneers of Indian fast fashion going global with this mega launch and hope to pave the way for other homegrown brands looking to scale internationally.”
He further highlighted the growth potential in the region: “The Middle East fast fashion market is poised for tremendous growth—from a projected USD 68.07 billion in 2024 to USD 84.56 billion by 2025—driven by a young, style-conscious population, rising disposable incomes, and an accelerating shift toward ecommerce.”
Aggressive Retail and Omnichannel Plans
The partnership with Rapheal Lifestyle is expected to extend beyond the UAE, enabling Brand Studio to scale across the Middle East through multi-format retail and digital expansion. Seven more stores are slated to launch by March 2026, supporting the company’s broader omnichannel vision.
In India, the company has opened 37 stores over the past nine months and plans to increase this footprint to 75 by March 2026. Additionally, Highlander and Tokyo Talkies aim to reach consumers via 600 Shop-in-Shop (SIS) formats across large-format stores (LFS) and multi-brand outlets (MBOs).
The brands are also preparing to launch a ‘phygital’ retail experience, integrating offline shopping with digital personalisation tools to better serve modern consumers. Currently, both brands are available across leading marketplaces and quick commerce platforms in India.
Highlander and Tokyo Talkies are among India’s top fast fashion brands, collectively selling over 30 million units across 20,000+ pin codes. Known for launching over 800 styles monthly, the brands blend affordability with on-trend fashion, rooted in Indian street style.
Their parent company, Brand Studio Lifestyle, established in 2015 and headquartered in Bengaluru, also owns brands like Vishudh and operates Getketch.com—a direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform. With in-house design, sourcing, manufacturing, and retail capabilities, the company is now positioned to scale internationally.
This Middle East debut not only elevates Brand Studio’s international profile but also signals a growing appetite for Indian fashion brands in global markets.
