NEW DELHI (AP) — Rohit Bal, a prominent figure in Indian fashion design, passed away late Friday at the age of 63 after battling a long illness, as announced by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
Bal, who was born in 1961 in Srinagar, a major city in Indian-administered Kashmir, was instrumental in establishing fashion design as a professional field in India during the 1990s. He graduated with a degree in history from St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi before pursuing his passion for fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
In 1990, he launched his own label, which grew to encompass multiple stores throughout India, the Middle East, and Europe. His sophisticated designs attracted a celebrity clientele that included both Hollywood stars and India’s elite.
The FDCI expressed their sorrow on Instagram, referring to Bal as a “legendary designer” whose innovative approach combined traditional Indian patterns with contemporary styles. They remarked that his contributions “redefined Indian fashion,” inspiring numerous generations of designers who followed in his footsteps.
Despite facing health challenges, including a heart condition diagnosed in 2010, Bal made a remarkable return to the fashion scene only weeks before his passing. Sunil Sethi, chairman of the FDCI, stated on Instagram that Bal’s death has created “a void in the fashion design space forever,” highlighting the significant impact he had on the industry.
