Rohit Bal was a visionary. Years ahead of his time. While his paradigmatic influence on the landscape of Indian fashion stands more than well acknowledged, many still don't understand how formative his professional journey has been in elevating the showcase, interpretation and expansion of the same.
While a man of his calibre never really needed a label to cement his worth, the fact that he was dubbed as India's 'Master of fabric and fantasy' in 1996 by Time magazine — which mind you was just 6 years into him launching his eponymous label — was proof enough of the greatness he would keep spinning with his delicate yet groundbreaking work. Barely two weeks back, on October 13, Rohit made his gallant and glorious comeback on the ramp with his collection, Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe , showcased on the final day of the FDCI-hosted Lakme Fashion Week in Delhi. Already having suffered a prolonged bout of serious illness, the designer looked evidently frail but yet somehow brimming with life as he took his victory lap with showstopper Ananya Panday in tow.
A post shared by FDCI (@fdciofficial) At the time, given his health, many had suspected that Kaaynaat may just be his final collection. Unfortunately, it was. But Rohit possibly couldn't have crafted a stronger goodbye to fashion than this one.
Sufi silhouettes and half-capes in velveteen textures, the unmissable romance of the red rose and hand-painted motifs from nature, stood packaged in oodles of drama and a classic,.