Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal dies after prolonged illness

Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal died on Friday after prolonged illness. He was 63.
Bal was suffering from a heart ailment since last year. He was even admitted to the intensive care unit of the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in November 2023.
The fashion designer had been rushed to the hospital due to complications related to a pre-existing cardiac condition.
He made his comeback to work earlier this year and showcased his last show at Lakme India Fashion Week last month in Delhi.

At the ramp, the designer stumbled, leaving fans worried about his health.
The Fashion Design Council of India sent out a condolence message after the demise of the celebrated fashion designer on Friday.
“We mourn the passing of legendary designer Rohit Bal. He was a founding member of the Fasion Design Council of India (FDCI). Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bal’s work redefined Indian fashion and inspired generations”, the FDCI wrote on Instagram, along with a picture of the fashion icon.
“His legacy of artistry, and innovation along with forward-thinking will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace GUDDA”, the post added.
Rohit Bal will be cremated at the Lodhi Road Crematorium in Delhi at 5 pm on Saturday, November 2, the FDCI announced in a social media post late on Friday.
Meanwhile, tributes and condolence messages from the fashion world and other people close to Bal, started pouring in as soon as the news of his passing spread.
Acclaimed novelist and columnist Shobha De also expressed grief at Bal’s death with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“Goodbye darling Gudda!! You were and always will remain, the OG who stuck to a “vision”….nobody came close!! Blessed to have known you from the time you launched your magic and opened the world’s fashion gaze to the ethereal beauty of your precious Kashmir! Love you and will miss you forever! More an artist than just a fashion icon. You went in glory!!! As you deserved to!”, De’s post grieved.
Fashion designer and actress Masaba Gupta joined the celebrities condoling Bal’s death.
She posted an Instagram story, showing an emoji of a heart with a bandage wrapped around it, followed by the text ‘Rohit Bal’. At the bottom, the text read 1961-2024, upon the folded hands emoji, symbolically praying for the peace of his soul.
Rohit Bal had a pre-existing heart condition and had undergone an emergency angioplasty in 2010 after he suffered a heart attack.
A family friend disclosed that Bal has been living with a pacemaker for several years, which started causing issues last year, necessitating his hospitalisation.
However, in December 2023, he released a statement saying that he was healing and expressed gratitude for continued love and prayers from friends and family.
Known for his flamboyant designs and Bollywood clientele, Rohit Bal hailed from Kashmir and was one of India’s best known fashion designers.
A graduate of St Stephen’s college, he learnt fashion designing at NIFT, Delhi and international celebrities like Pamela Anderson, Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell have worn his designs.