| Birth Name: | Rohit Bal |
| Birth Date: | 1961 5, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Srinagar, J&K, India |
| Alma Mater: | University of Delhi NIFT |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Citizenship: | Indian |
| Label Name: | Rohit Bal |
| Awards: | IFA Designer of the Year in 2001 and 2004 |
Rohit Bal is an Indian fashion designer, known for his designs catering to both men and women. He began his career in 1986, founding Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother, and debuted his independent collection in 1990. Bal's work includes collaborations with Khadi Gram Udyog[1] and designing costumes for the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati.[2]
Rohit Bal was born on 8 May, 1961 in the city of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, of the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, into a Kashmiri Pandit family.[3]
Bal received his education from Woodlands House School and Burn Hall School in Srinagar, before his family was forced to move out of Kashmir, due to the Islamist insurgency in the 1990s. His family moved to New Delhi, where he completed his education at the Delhi Public School in Mathura Road. He later graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History from the St. Stephens College of the University of Delhi.[4] He then also went on to study fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.[5]
Rohit Bal started his career with his brother Rajiv Bal in New Delhi in 1986 the Company Orchid Oversea Pvt.Ltd, and started his own first independent collection in 1990.[4]
Bal was also chosen by the Khadi Gram Udyog, the largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula, to work with them.[6]
Bal has designed costumes for the popular Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.[4]
Bal opened a flagship store in Delhi, as well as stores in Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai. Bal has also ventured into designing jewellery.[7]
He is best known for his use of lotus and peacock motifs. He frequently uses rich fabrics like velvet, brocade and his designs are elaborate, inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty.[8] [9] He has also partnered with Biba ApparelsBiba Apparels to create Biba by Rohit Bal.[10] [11]
He has an international client base that includes Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson and Uma Thurman among various Indian celebrities.[12] He is also an ambassador for Omega watches.[13]
Bal won the 'Designer of the Year' award at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2006. He has also won 'Designer of the Year' at the Kingfisher Fashion Achievement Awards in 2001. He was awarded as the Lakme Grand Finale Designer for 2012.[14] In 2020, he was recognized as "Iconic Fashion Designer of the country" by the jury of the Rajnigandha Pearls India Fashion Awards.[15]