This design maestro had quite a challenging journey in coping with alcohol addiction. Although, he is now seen less in limelight, but his art still screams the word ‘class’ left, right and centre.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Rohit Bal’s name is synonymous with Indian fashion. As one of the country’s pioneering designers, he has not only dressed countless celebrities over the years but also earned numerous accolades for his unique handcrafted creations. His collections have been showcased globally. Beyond his high-end fashion collection, let’s delve into the life and accomplishments of this design maestro.
The Rise of Rohit Bal
Rohit Bal was born on May 8, 1961, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, before pursuing fashion studies at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi.
Renowned for his designs for both men and women, Bal began his career in 1986 by co-founding Orchid Oversea Pvt Ltd with his brother, Rajiv Bal. He launched his independent collection in 1990, marking the beginning of his solo journey in the fashion world.
Setbacks to Success
Despite his remarkable success, Bal has faced significant health challenges, including his struggle with alcohol addiction. He had visited hospitals and rehab centers frequently due to his addiction and constant health issues. In 2010, he suffered a heart attack, which required emergency angioplasty.
Throughout his career, Bal has received numerous prestigious titles such as ‘Designer of the Year’ award at the Indian Fashion Awards, ‘Designer of the Year’ at the Kingfisher Fashion Achievement Awards, Lakme Grand Finale Designer award. Moreover, he was also recognised as ‘Iconic Fashion Designer of the country’ by the jury of the Rajnigandha Pearls India Fashion Awards. His innovative use of lotus, peacock, and floral motifs have solidified his presence in the fashion world with a flagship store in Delhi and boutiques in Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Well, Rohit Bal has dressed numerous high-profile celebrities both, national and international including Ranveer Singh, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and more. His work includes collaborations with Khadi Gram Udyog, the largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula and he also has designed costumes for the popular Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
The designer has been away from the limelight for the last few years due to health issues. As per reports, Rohit Bal is estimated to have a net worth between $1 million and $5 million.