Fashion designer Rohit Bal passed away

Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal has passed away at 63 following a massive heart attack. Known for blending traditional patterns with modern flair, Bal recently made a comeback, showcasing his final collection at Lakme Fashion Week earlier this year. His passing has been deeply mourned by his friends and colleagues. Bal leaves behind a legacy of artistry and innovation that will inspire future generations in the fashion world.

Rohit Bal, ‘India’s Master of Fabric and Fantasy’. That was Time Magazine in 1996, just 6 years after Rohit Bal, the Kashmir-born Delhi designer had launched his eponymous label.

A true pioneer of Indian fashion and an inspirational figure for aspiring designers during the transformative 1990s, Rohit Bal breathed his last on November 1 – just a fortnight after he made a spectacular return to the runway at Lakme Fashion Week. His return to the runway was perhaps a grand goodbye—grand, like his designs, his parties, his fashion shows, and the legacy he leaves behind.

His final show, Kaaynaat – A Bloom in the Universe, drew inspiration from Kashmir. The fashion fraternity teared up and gave ‘Gudda’ – as they lovingly called him - emotional standing ovations at the show as he grooved with the models, despite being visibly unwell.

Bal studied fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi after earning a history degree from Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College. He began his career in 1986, working with his brother's export company, and eventually launched his eponymous fashion label in 1990, starting with a traditional menswear collection.

He went on to become one of the country’s most celebrated fashion designers. His creations, heavy on extravagance and flamboyance, revelled in India’s rich craft and textiles. Lotus and peacock motifs were signature symbols in his designs.