In Memory of Rohit Bal – The Indian Fashion Pioneer Who Died on 1 November 2024 (1961-2024)
Born on May 8, 1961, Rohit Bal is an acclaimed fashion icon who has carved his name in his native land India; Kashmir. He has taken the realm of Indian fashion design to great heights by beautifully integrating modern elements into sincere Indian art and culture. The news of his demise which occurred on November 1, 2024 has brought an eclipse in the epoch of Indian fashion as Bal was not only confined to the ramp, rather his art penetrated at the heart of the country and its people.
From Garden to a Catwalk
Bal entered the world of fashion by completing a bachelor of arts from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, in the year 1979, followed by a garment manufacturing degree from National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, and thereafter started his career. In 1986, he began working in the fashion industry with his brother, forming a company named Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd. His first-ever collection was independent of others and was launched in 1990 with an extravagant unique style.
Upon giving the curtains the final hand grasp and twisting them, Bal would feature exotic costumes within decor based on his India experiences. Embroidered jackets and peacock feather waists, other Indian iconography featured heavily. He saw designs all around him – even in the way costumes were stashed at fashion shows: ‘They’re all piled in together, like onions. That’s how a picture is composed. Everything has to be beautifully constructed, it’s interesting in itself, there’s a story in the center’.
His only focus, to begin with, was natural, ‘Indian’ tones and visuals. He would take surprise elements in his designs, like colors which do not conform to the Indian palette, construction lines that are different than Indian wear. These techniques firmly vouch him being called The Bad Boy, where ‘bad’ stands for groundbreaking change and not for being vicious.
Bal went on to design costumes for major Indian television along with his efforts, including the hit game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, which made him even more relevant to the mainstream audience. His creations were worn by Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukone, among others. This success was echoed internationally where his designs were worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
Awards and Global Recognition
His impact on Indian fashion had been revolutionary thanks to many awards and recognition from across the world. His collections were presented in numerous cities such as Paris, New York and Milan which are very few Indian designers with this sort of worldwide reputation. His work was appreciated for the intricate detailing of the crafts and earned him several awards including India Fashion Awards for Designer of the Year.
Legacy and Influence
The Indian fashion industry was forever changed with the demise of Rohit Bal but his work will always live on. Bal’s influence is manifested in the new breed of Indian designers who are not afraid to experiment as Bal did, infusing the old with the new. Bal expanded the limits of what changed Indian fashion on the global platform and raised the game in the standard of creativity, execution and artistry in design.
Once again, his journey proves the ideation and the impact fashion can have as an artist, and as a cultural practitioner. And through his designs, the world will always remember his exuberance, creativity, and passion for Indian craft.
