In the late 19th century, Indian maharajahs discovered a Parisian designer called Louis Vuitton and flooded his small factory with orders for Rolls interiors -Royce bespoke leather picnic baskets and fashionable polo club bags. But after independence, when Indian princes lost much of their wealth, orders dried up. Then in 2002, LVMH, the world's leading luxury goods group, made a triumphant return to India, opening a boutique in Delhi and another in Mumbai in 2004. Its target was the new breed of maharajah produced by India's liberalized economy. India: flush, flash, and more and more. Other purveyors of opulence followed, from Chanel to Bulgari. In recent months, a host of chic brands have announced plans to expand into India, including Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Gucci. And Indian women will soon be asked to spend more than $100 on bras made by La Perla, an Italian lingerie house. Of course, only a tiny fraction will achieve this. But it is India's future prospects that have the luxury giants excited. India has fewer than 100,000 dollar millionaires among its population of more than 1 billion, according to American Express, a financial services company. It predicts that this figure will increase by 12.8% per year over the next three years. The long-term rise of India's middle class has been studied by the McKinsey Global Institute, which predicts that average incomes will have tripled by 2025, lifting nearly 300 million Indians out of poverty and increasing the class tenfold. average. to 583 million. In short, demand for all kinds of consumer products is about to increase. And although foreign investment restrictions prevent retail giants such as Wal-Mart and Tesco from entering India directly, different rules apply to companies that sell their own products under a single brand, such as luxury goods companies generally do this. Since January 2006, they have been allowed to participate up to 51% in Indian joint ventures. India is also an attractive market for luxury goods because, unlike China, it does not have a thriving counterfeiting industry. Credit becomes more easily accessible. And later this year, Vogue, a fashion magazine, will launch an Indian edition. However, obstacles to growth remain. High import duties make luxury goods expensive. Wealthy Indians tend to travel a lot and may simply shop elsewhere. Finding a suitable sales space is also a real headache. Until now, most designer boutiques are located in five-star hotels. But things are changing. Later this year, Emporio, a new luxury goods mall, will open in a thriving south Delhi neighborhood..