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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
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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.

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UK's JD Sports Warns on Profit in 'Challenging' Market

A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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UK's JD Sports Warns on Profit in 'Challenging' Market

A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

British sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion downgraded its profit forecast after weaker trading in Britain and the United States and promotional activity at competitors hurt sales, and it warned the outlook was "cautious".
Shares in JD plunged 12% in early deals to a near five-year low of 84 pence, Reuters reported.
JD Sports, which has over 4,500 stores globally, said underlying revenue fell 1.5% in November and December in what it called a "challenging and volatile market".
It cut its profit forecast by as much as 40 million pounds ($48.9 million), or 4%.
The stock had already lost 27% of its value in the last three months on worries about consumer spending and amid a downturn in demand for Nike products, which account for about 45% of JD's sales.
"Market headwinds were higher than we anticipated," Chief Executive Régis Schultz said in a statement on Tuesday. "With these trading conditions expected to continue, we are taking a cautious view of the new financial year."
Peel Hunt analysts said JD's strategy of not discounting to match competitors was the right one.
"The long-term strategy is correct, and JD will continue to lead the market, but we must rein in short-term hopes," they said, adding that JD will benefit from any recovery at Nike.
Nike has warned its turnaround will be a slog after it lost ground in recent years to rivals, including Roger Federer-backed On and Deckers' Hoka, which have lured consumers with fresher and more innovative styles.
JD said while trading during December was stronger, November dragged, and for the 12 months to the beginning of February it expected pretax profit before adjusted items to come in between 915 million and 935 million pounds.
Its previous lower end of guidance had been 955 million pounds. It made 917.2 million pounds in its 2023/24 year.