Famed Indian Designer Rohit Bal Dies

Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
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Famed Indian Designer Rohit Bal Dies

Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP

Rohit Bal, one of India's most acclaimed fashion designers, has died, his colleagues said Friday.
Media reports said he died at the age of 63 after a long illness.
"We mourn the passing of legendary designer Rohit Bal," the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) said in a statement on Instagram.
"Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bal's work redefined Indian fashion, and inspired generations."
According to his website, Bal graduated from St. Stephen's College in New Delhi with a degree in history.
He then worked in his family's export business for a few years before launching his label and designer line in 1990.
"From the village crafts and traditional methods of design that India is so rich in, to the transient phenomenon of the subcontinent's urban landscape, the designer brings them all to life."
FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi said on Instagram that the passing of Pal, popularly called Gudda, "will leave a void in the fashion design space forever."
"Everyone admired him for his attention to detail, how beautifully his lotus bloomed on modern shapes and his understanding of what modern women desired," Sethi said.



Dolce & Gabbana Evoke the Dolce Vita during Milan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
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Dolce & Gabbana Evoke the Dolce Vita during Milan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER

To bling, or not to bling is the eternal question at Dolce & Gabbana — and the designing duo had it both ways Saturday during the Milan Fashion Week menswear preview for the next cold weather season.
The elegant show invitation in winter-neutral Burgundy — suggested an understated collection and the runway silhouette was loose and effortless. Emblazoned with the word paparazzi, there was also a hint of look-at-me flash.
Evoking the Dolce Vita Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's collection for Fall/Winter 2025 evoked the Dolce Vita of easy men’s dressing with two moods: pulled-together daytime casual and red (or make that burgundy) carpet/evening formalwear.
Denim jeans provided the clean canvas for statement outerwear: star-sized faux fur jackets, a leather bomber-trench combo and a long leopard coat. Knitwear with loose cargo pants were easy to wear, functional and contemporary. Except for a bright sequined jacket, the colors palette was timelessly and reassuringly neutral.
The essence of the daywear was distilled in a dark tank top worn with loose tweed trousers and matching cap, and a tech-bro gray T-shirt secured with double-belted trousers.
For evening or formal events, elegant suiting incorporating cummerbunds, tasseled silk scarves and wide lapels were accented with crystal brooches, all the better to glisten as two risers of paparazzi snapped from the runway.
Trend Watch Watch for high-neck faux fur dickies, fastened with silken ribbons for extra warmth and luxury. Bow ties and brooches finishing suits — because why choose? Low-soled sneakers and mid-calf biker boots finish the looks. Capacious soft bags in high-end leathers suggest someplace to go. Key fobs on belt loops, reminders of home.
Paparazzi on the Inside, Fans on the Outside Risers of flashing paparazzi set the mood inside the designers’ Metropol theater.
Outside, Lucien Laviscount sprung like a gazelle over barriers and crossed tram tracks in front of the theater to greet cheering fans after the show. The “Emily in Paris” actor wore an elegant double-breasted pinstripe suit with gold neck chains, worthy of his stylish businessman character Alfie, as he signed autographs and snapped selfies.
Just as obliging but not quite as adventurous as the track-crossing Laviscount, South Korean actor Jung Hai-in, wearing a burgundy ensemble, and Thai actor Hirunkit Changkham, in black-and-white diagonally stripped knitwear and Bermuda shorts, also waved to screaming admirers before being driven away.
Front row guests also included James McAvoy, Levi Dylan and Rocco Ritchie.