Mumbai: Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal passed away on Friday. He was 63.
“He had been battling heart ailment for a while. He was rushed to the hospital today… but didn’t make it,” Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) chairman Sunil Sethi confirmed the sad news to The Indian Express.
“Heartbroken to say goodbye to an incredible friend. You brought so much light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of everyone around you. I’m grateful for every moment we shared, every laugh, every conversation. You’ll be missed beyond words, but your spirit will live on in all of us. Rest peacefully, my friend,” Bal’s close friend Gautam Singhania wrote on social media.
Bal recently showcased his collection — Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe — at the Lakme Fashion Week. ‘Call me Bae’ actress Ananya Panday walked the ramp as his muse at the Imperial, New Delhi.
Called the ‘Czar of Fashion’, Bal wasn’t well for a few years. Many had written him off when he made a dazzling comeback at the Lakme Fashion Week last month.
Affectionately known as ‘Gudda’ by his loved ones, Bal led a flamboyant life, which was reflected in his creations.
One of the most popular names in the design fraternity, Bal’s clients included renowned celebrities like Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson and Ana Kournikova.
He designed clothes for both men and women, which were equally popular. He also collaborated with brands like Hidesign, Oriflame and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Bal’s work, characterised by use of pastels and earthy tones, opened flagship stores in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai.