Hailing from the humble land of Kashmir in India, today Rohit Bal has become a household name not only in Indian, but also International Fashion. The young Kashmiri lad, with a portfolio in his bag and dreams in his eyes left his hometown and traveled to New Delhi in an endeavor to turn his lifelong ambition of becoming a fashion designer, into a palpable reality.

After graduating from the Burn Hall School in Srinagar, Rohit went on to receive a degree in history from the renowned St Stephen’s College. The list of his academic highlights does not end here. He further enrolled in the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, where he received a formal education in the sphere of fashion.

After graduating, he initiated his career in design with his brother Rajiv Bal in the year 1986, and it was in 1990 that he released his first independent collection, which made him an overnight success. Standing true to the tag of being a ‘versatile designer’, Bal is proud of having designed outfits in almost all fabrics, ranging from cotton, silk, knits and corduroy, to the long-established Indian khaadi, which favorably resulted in the revival of this dying traditional fabric.

A favorite among men and women alike, he has managed to carve a niche for himself as a fashion historian and that too all by himself.  Rohit has also received international acclaim and showcased his collection in London, Dubai, Paris and New York to name a few. He also won numerous laurels in the Indian fashion scene, rightfully winning the title of ‘Designer of the Year’ at the Kingfisher Achievement Awards in 2001 and later at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2006. His relentless hard work and breathtaking designs also bagged him the title of Lakme Grand Finale Designer for the year 2012.

Bal is also the proud owner of a flagship store in Delhi, with branches in Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Chennai and Kolakata. Apart from being the go-to designer for Bollywood celebrities, his clientele also includes the likes of Cindy Crawford, Uma Thurman and Naomi Campbell to name a few.

Quite famous, or rather ‘infamous’ as the Bad Boy of the fashion industry, Bal’s designs are a reflection of his own personality- flamboyant and unrestrained. The extravagance of his designs is carefully mellowed by the subtle choice of his colors, which usually includes earthy tones and pastels.

Having a background in history, he uses fantasy and folklore as inspiration to create his masterpieces, and is also widely appreciated for his use of Peacock and Lotus motifs. He has also diversified into the arena of accessory design and partnered with high-end brands such as Oriflame, Hidesign and Mitsubishi Outlander, and is the brand ambassador for the well known Omega watches.

Rohit Bal sure is one designer who continually surprises his fans with his amazing work, which is always different from his last. He refuses to be restricted by any one particular style, and his collection always manages to sweep everyone off his or her feet owing to its freshness and sophistication. To watch his designs come to life, really is nothing short of magic.