Rohit Bal

{{Infobox fashion designer

| image = Rohit Bal in 2016.jpg

| caption = Bal in 2016

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1961|5|8|df=y}}

| birth_place = Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|11|1|1961|5|8|df=y}}

| death_place = New Delhi, India

| education = Woodlands House School
Burn Hall School
DPS Mathura Road

| alma_mater = University of Delhi
NIFT

| label_name = Rohit Bal

| awards =

| website = {{URL|www.rohitbal.com}}

}}

Rohit Bal (8 May 1961 – 1 November 2024) was an Indian fashion designer, known for his designs catering to both men and women. He began his career in 1986, founding Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother, and debuted his independent collection in 1990. Bal's work includes collaborations with Khadi Gram Udyog{{Cite web |title=Rohit Bal was chosen by the Khadi Gram Udyog, the largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula, to work with them – Photogallery |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/fashion/designers/rohit-bal/articleshow/62192835.cms |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=photogallery.indiatimes.com}} and designing costumes for the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2012 |title=Rohit Bal to design Big B's outfits for KBC |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/fashion-and-trends/rohit-bal-to-design-big-b-s-outfits-for-kbc/story-u2DrpOFqW8u5wRQiQQxefP.html |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

Early life and education

Rohit Bal was born on 8 May 1961 in the city of Srinagar, in the Kashmir Valley of the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, into a Kashmiri Pandit family.{{cite news |date=31 January 2019 |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/life-style/even-in-troubled-times-nothing-can-take-away-beauty-of-kashmir-rohit-bal/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531012252/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/web/20230531012252/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/life-style/even-in-troubled-times-nothing-can-take-away-beauty-of-kashmir-rohit-bal |archive-date=31 May 2023 |title=Even in troubled times, nothing can take away beauty of Kashmir: Rohit Bal |quote=It’s a simple explanation. I come from Kashmir. I am a Kashmiri, I know what’s happening in the state. I grew up in a free Kashmir and unfortunately now it’s a warzone. |publisher=Greater Kashmir |language=en-IN }}{{cite news |date=1 November 2024 |last=Sinha |first=Sahil |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rohit-bal-death-news-fashion-designer-passes-away-at-63-prolonged-illness-2626730-2024-11-01 |url-status=live |access-date=1 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241101215314/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rohit-bal-death-news-fashion-designer-passes-away-at-63-prolonged-illness-2626730-2024-11-01 |archive-date=1 November 2024 |title=Rohit Bal dies at 63: Celebrated Kashmiri designer who redefined Indian fashion |quote=Born into a Kashmiri Pandit family on May 8, 1961, in Srinagar, Rohit Bal's journey in fashion began in 1986, when he co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother. |publisher=India Today |language=en-IN }}{{cite news |date=1 November 2023 |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/ace-indian-fashion-designer-rohit-bal-critical-report |url-status=live |access-date=1 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241101220404/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/ace-indian-fashion-designer-rohit-bal-critical-report |archive-date=1 November 2024 |title=Ace Indian fashion designer Rohit Bal critical: Report |quote=The designer, born into a Kashmiri Pandit family in Srinagar, Bal earned a History degree from Delhi’s St Stephen’s College. |publisher=Arabian Business |language=en-IN }}

Bal received his education from Woodlands House School and Burn Hall School in Srinagar, until his family left Kashmir, well before the start of the separatist Insurgency, in the 1970s.{{cite web | last=Sharma | first=Shweta | title=Rohit Bal: Tributes pour in as iconic Indian fashion designer dies at 63 | website=The Independent | date=2 November 2024 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/lifestyle/rohit-bal-death-age-reason-latest-b2640037.html | access-date=2 November 2024}}{{cite web | title=India's top fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at age 63 | website=Connected to India | date=1 November 2024 | url=https://www.connectedtoindia.com/indias-top-fashion-designer-rohit-bal-dies-at-age-63/ | access-date=2 November 2024}} His family settled in New Delhi, where he completed his education at the Delhi Public School in Mathura Road. He later graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History from the St. Stephen's College, Delhi.{{cite web | last =Dugal | first =Jasmeen | title =Rohit Bal | work =Know Your Designers | publisher =Explosive Fashion | url =http://www.explosivefashion.in/know_your_designers.php?id=21 | accessdate =14 May 2012 | archive-date =11 May 2012 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120511143655/http://explosivefashion.in/know_your_designers.php?id=21 | url-status =dead }}{{better source needed|date=July 2021}} He studied fashion through a short course at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, and also later taught students at the Institute as guest faculty.{{Cite web |title=Rohit Bal is part of the BoF 500 |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/rohit-bal |access-date=14 August 2022 |website=The Business of Fashion |date=12 July 2019 |language=en-GB}}

Career

Rohit Bal started his career with his brother Rajiv Bal in New Delhi in 1986 at the Company Orchid Overseas Pvt .Ltd, and started his own first independent collection in 1990.

Bal was also chosen by the Khadi Gram Udyog, the largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula, to work with them.{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Sheila|date=22 June 2013|title=Khadi does the catwalk|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/khadi-does-the-catwalk/article4840659.ece|access-date=17 May 2020|issn=0971-751X}}

Bal designed costumes for the popular Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Bal opened a flagship store in Delhi, as well as stores in Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai. Bal also ventured into designing jewellery.{{cite news |last1=Arora |first1=Tony |title=India's Fashion 'Bad Boy' |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/300644/india-s-fashion-bad-boy |accessdate=7 June 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=2 July 2012}}

Bal is best known for having used lotus and peacock motifs. He frequently employed rich fabrics like velvet, brocade and his designs were elaborate and inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty.{{cite news |last=Tilak |first=Sudha G |title=Pioneering Indian designer Rohit Bal dies at 63 |work=BBC Home |date=1 November 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv229dmmgwko}}{{cite web|last=Ahuja|first=Shilpa|title=Rohit Bal Autumn Winter 2015 Couture Fashion Show Review|url=http://shilpaahuja.com/fashion/fashion-week/rohit-bal-autumn-winter-2015-couture-fashion-show/|publisher=Shilpa's Lifestyle Blog|accessdate=6 August 2015}}{{better source needed|date=July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/india-couture-week-2016-the-finale-by-rohit-bal-was-a-showcase-of-opulence-and-grandeur-2934499/|title=India Couture Week 2016: The finale by Rohit Bal was a showcase of opulence and grandeur|date=25 July 2016|access-date=4 August 2016|work=Indian Express}} He also partnered with Biba Apparels to create Biba by Rohit Bal.{{cite web |last1=Vasudev |first1=Shefalee |title=UNDERSTATEMENT: More Biba than Bal |url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/385qcMiWN6dLzPoaxsxcMN/UNDERSTATEMENT-More-Biba-than-Bal.html |access-date=30 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=Rohit Bal joins forces with brand BIBA |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/rohit-bal-joins-forces-with-brand-biba-113091800633_1.html |access-date=30 January 2024}}

Bal's international client base included Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson, and Uma Thurman among various Indian celebrities. He was also a brand ambassador for Omega watches.{{Cite web|title=Rohit Bal is part of the BoF 500|url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/rohit-bal|website=The Business of Fashion|date=12 July 2019 |language=en-GB|access-date=10 May 2020}}

Illness and death

Bal underwent an angioplasty in 2010.{{Cite web |date=1 November 2024 |title=Ace fashion designer Rohit Bal passes away at 63 following heart complications |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/ace-fashion-designer-rohit-bal-passes-away-9649093/ |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} In 2023, he was hospitalized at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon, for a heart condition. Bal died in New Delhi on 1 November 2024, at the age of 63{{Cite web |title=Fashion designer Rohit Bal passes away; FDCI says his legacy of artistry, innovation will live on |work=mint |date=November 2024 |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/rest-in-peace-gudda-fashion-designer-rohit-bal-passes-away-fdci-says-his-legacy-of-artistry-innovation-will-live-on-11730476918322.html |author1=Livemint }}{{Cite web |date=1 November 2024 |title=Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal dies after prolonged illness |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fashion-designer-rohit-bal-dead-prolonged-illness-2626717-2024-11-01 |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2024/Nov/03/fashion-industry-bids-tearful-adieu-to-its-visionary-rohit-bal|title=Fashion industry bids tearful adieu to its visionary Rohit Bal|date=3 November 2024 |publisher=Indian Express}} from a cardiac-related issue.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=John |date=2 November 2024 |title=Iconic Indian Designer Rohit Bal Cause of Death |url=https://americagist.com/iconic-indian-designer-rohit-bal-cause-of-death/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=America Gist |language=en-US}} His last public appearance was the previous month during a collaboration show between FDCI and Lakmé Cosmetics.{{cite news| url=https://aninews.in/news/entertainment/bollywood/ananya-panday-in-rohit-bals-ensemble-bring-glam-to-grand-finale-of-lakme-fashion-week-x-fdci-202420241014022725/ |title=Ananya Panday in Rohit Bal's ensemble bring glam to grand finale of Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI 2024 |date=14 October 2024 |work=ANI News}}

Accolades

Rohit Bal won 'Designer of the Year' at the Kingfisher Fashion Achievement Awards in 2001. He also won 'Designer of the Year' award at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2006.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} He was awarded as the Lakme Grand Finale Designer for 2012.{{cite web|title=Rohit Bal to host Lakme Grand Finale|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/designers/Rohit-Bal-to-host-Lakme-Grand-Finale/articleshow/11780382.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707100348/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-23/designers/31030314_1_finale-designer-rohit-bal-indian-textiles|url-status=live|archive-date=7 July 2012|last=Vyavahare|first=Renuka|date=23 February 2012|work=The Times of India|access-date=14 May 2012}} In 2020, he was recognized as "Iconic Fashion Designer of the country" by the jury of the Rajnigandha Pearls India Fashion Awards.{{Cite web|last=Alison|date=27 February 2020|title=The India Fashion Awards Presented by Rajnigandha Silver Pearls: – World of Fashion & Technology|url=https://www.asiaradiosales.com/the-india-fashion-awards-presented-by-rajnigandha-silver-pearls/|access-date=12 September 2021|website=Asia Radio Sales|language=en-US}}