Rohit Bal was seen on the ramp with Ananya Pandey. (file photo)
15 days ago, fashion designer Rohit Bal was seen dancing and smiling on the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week. But at that time no one would have imagined that Rohit would die after two weeks. But, now that he has left this world, everyone will remember his last greeting on the ramp.
In fact, Rohit Bal, popularly known as Gudda in the fashion industry, had launched his latest collection Kainaat at Fashion Week with Ananya and all his models holding a rose in their hands. Rohit is one of those famous designers not only in the country but also abroad.
Rohit Bal, who made Indian fashion famous globally and designed clothes for celebrities in the country, Hollywood and elsewhere, died of a heart attack in a south Delhi hospital on Friday night. He was 63 years old.
Bal, the famous designer who influenced his work and personality and is known as Gudda among his friends, made his last public appearance last month. Despite her poor health, she made a spectacular presence on the ramp at the grand finale of Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI 2024.
Rohit Bal looked very sick while presenting his collection Kainaat: A Bloom in the Universe at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, making many people present in the crowd emotional and had tears in their eyes. It seemed as if the real stars of Indian fashion were bidding farewell to fashion with grace and style.
Actress Ananya Panday was the spectacular star of the event and presented a rose to the designer at the end of the show. This incident occurred on October 13. Fashion Development Council of India (FDCI) president Sunil Sethi said that soon after this, Bal was admitted to Ashlok Hospital located in Safdarjung enclave. He was being treated by Dr. Alok Chopra.
Sethi said it is true that he passed away. He had a heart attack. Rohit was a great personality, we are in complete shock right now. We are preparing for his last rites. A heartbroken Sethi said doctors did everything they could for two hours to save him. He said that in December last year, Rohit Bal was admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Gurugram due to heart problems.
Rohit Bal designed clothes for Hollywood celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell during his career spanning more than three decades. Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal and many other Indian celebrities have worn the clothes designed by him.
Tributes were paid to Rohit Bal, one of the founding members of the organisation, on the official Instagram of the FDCI. Known for his unique blend of traditional style with modern sensibilities, Rohit Bal’s work has redefined Indian fashion and inspired generations, the Instagram post reads. His legacy of forward-thinking coupled with artistry and innovation will live on in the world of fashion. May Gudda’s soul rest in peace.
Rohit Bal had said in a conversation in 2019: I always did what I am and never did what others did. I have a very strong and focused design philosophy and I follow it. I believe that everything you do with your heart and soul will always be relevant. I feel comfortable being traditional, elegant and timeless and this has contributed a lot to my brand and my career as a designer.
Rohit Bal was born in Srinagar in 1961 and graduated in History from St. Stephen’s College, affiliated to the University of Delhi. Rohit Bal worked with his brother’s export company before launching his own fashion design line in the 1990s, focusing on traditionally designed menswear. Rohit Bal also collaborated with Khadi Village Industries to bring handmade clothing to high fashion.
