Rohit Bal: ‘When I started my journey, no one even knew what a fashion designer is; today, everybody wants to be one’

It would not be erroneous to just say that Rohit Bal’s name is synonymous with Indian fashion. Being one of India’s first fashion designers, he has not only dressed numerous celebrities over the years, but also won many accolades for his distinct creations, which are handcrafted to perfection, and showcased his collections across the globe. Now, after a recent health scare, the design virtuoso is back with his latest collaboration with an innerwear brand.

In a freewheeling conversation with indianexpress.com, Rohit Bal not only opens up about the new line, but also his three-decade-long journey, the evolution of fashion in all these years, what motivates him to work harder, and celebrities he considers style icons. Read the edited excerpts below:

From 1990 to 2024, how would you describe your journey?

It’s a story with a lot of different angles, ups and downs, and triumphs and defeats. It has also been very challenging emotionally. To be on the top of the game, one has to please everyone. One has to be strong from within and also on the outside. One also has to bear the criticism with a lot of courage. But at the end of the day, one must stay true to oneself — that will help you win the game and be on the top, eventually.

As someone who has been an intrinsic part of the fashion industry, how would you describe its evolution in all these years?

When I started (my career) in fashion there was no fashion, really! There were only one or two established fashion designers. So the comparison is very easy to draw — from nothing to everything. Earlier, no one even knew what a fashion designer was, but today everybody wants to be one. So, there have been multiple ups and downs, as I said before. And at the end, victory comes to only those who have the patience to wait for it.

 

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What would you say is the most challenging thing about being a fashion designer in India?

The most challenging aspect of Indian fashion is the fact that people don’t understand fashion. Fashion was very conservative in India, but now the country is gradually becoming extremely fashion-forward. Half the challenge is to convince people that fashion is in every nook and corner of our country — from sari to dhoti, everything is fashion as far as I am concerned.

What motivates you to work even after all these years?

The competition that I deal with every day. The fact that hundreds of new designers have come up and I am competing with them keeps me motivated. In all, it is the fashion world that I am a part of! Fashion, in itself, is my life.

 

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Many Bollywood (and non) celebrities adorn your collections regularly. Who, in your opinion, carries them the best?

Celebrities adore my work because they find it different from what others do. In my opinion, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sonam Kapoor, and Kangana Ranaut are style icons.

Tell us about your collaboration with Macroman. What is the MW Signature collection all about?

It’s a fabulous and fantastic collaboration. I feel very proud to be involved with it, and its new line designed by me — the MW Signature Collection — is a testament to the harmonious blend of elegance, luxury, and unique prints.

The Fashion and Gold Line is inspired by nature’s wonders and radiates luxury and refinement, promising a fusion of glamour and comfort in men’s undergarments and leisure wear fashion. The inspiration for the same came from a sense of adventure. The prints, featuring birds and animals like tigers, lions and panthers, also represent strength and a feeling of confidence. The line also denotes an undoubted spirit of freedom and of being in touch with nature and your natural surroundings.

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