“There’ll by no means be one other Gudda.” A sentiment expressed by all those that knew the legendary couturier Rohit Bal (fondly often known as Gudda), echoed by the air, as I sat beneath a cover of sunshine and reminiscence. The Blenders Delight Trend Tour unfolded in Gurugram, not simply as a showcase, however as an immersive celebration of Bal’s extraordinary life and timeless legacy.
Recognized for his maximalist ethos balanced with an undercurrent of subtle restraint, Bal was a storyteller, weaving narratives of heritage, opulence, and romance into every of his creations. The showcase was a visible memoir of his journey, that includes his muses, buddies, household, and fellow designers who’ve walked with him by the tapestry of time.
Sunil Sethi, Kartik Mohindra, Sonam Kapoor, Jean Touboul, and Ashish Soni
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
The set, envisioned by Sumant Jayakrishnan, was like a canvas the place larger-than-life projections of Bal’s images and archival footage painted a vivid portrait of his illustrious profession. The ambiance was drenched in nostalgia, punctuated by the soulful strains of Vibha Saraf’s Kashmiri melodies. Because the present gathered momentum, the music swelled in concord, with Deveshi Sahgal singing fashionable folks songs as his muses in typical Bal style twirled and swayed in abandon.
A procession of reminiscences
The casting was a who’s who of fashionable faces. Kalyani Chawla opened the present and was quickly adopted by OG supermodels Carol Gracias, Sheetal Malhar, Mugdha Godse, Rahul Dev, Marc Robinson and Muzzamil Ibrahim. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and TV host Rajiv Makhni have been joined by designers JJ Valaya, Malini Ramani, Rahul Khanna, Rohit Gandhi, Ashish Soni. Actors Esha Gupta and Sonam Kapoor too sashayed down the runway, embodying Bal’s design spirit. His signature floor-grazing jackets with sharp slits, flowing kalidar kurtas, regal sherwanis, and pleated robes dominated the showcase. His distinctive motifs — peacocks, lotuses, and roses got here alive by intricate zardozi and resham in opulent velvets, light-weight mulmul and diaphanous cotton. The color palette ranged from hues of ivory and inky black to crimson.
A nonetheless from the showcase
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Particular Association
The showcase was a reminder that Bal’s design philosophy was a paradox — maximalist but subtle, rooted in heritage but globally resonant. His silhouettes transcended fleeting tendencies, making his creations as related in Delhi’s vibrant streets as they might be within the gilded salons of Paris.
The person behind the magic
Prasad Bidapa, style choreographer and shut confidant, mirrored, “Rohit was a design genius. In any alternate universe, he may have been the Versace of India. However Gudda guarded his craft fiercely, preserving its artisanal soul over industrial enlargement.”
Bal redefined sensuality, draping his muses in layers that celebrated kind with out revealing pores and skin. Mannequin Rahul Dev recalled, “He made every thing appear easy. His impeccable craft spoke louder than phrases.” The artistry that Bal demonstrated got here with a deep understanding of historical past, which he studied on the prestigious St Stephens School, and profound information of the intricacies of style, which he honed at NIFT, New Delhi.
Ashish Soni, Bal’s first apprentice, stated, “His information transcended style. Philosophy, historical past, poetry, artwork — Gudda lived and breathed all of it. His craft is unmatchable.” Throughout the pandemic, when Soni hit a low level, it was Bal who lifted his spirits with a easy telephone name. “He had this fashion of pulling you out of darkness,” Soni shared.
Bal’s OG fashions (from left Carol Gracias, Kalyani Saha, Sheetal Malhar, Ruchi Malhotra Makhni
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Particular Association
Bal’s generosity, his fondness for his buddies and zeal for all times deserve as a lot point out as is his craft. Mugdha Godse reminisced, “In my early days, his reveals have been the spotlight. He’d dance on stage, celebrating life — in pure, infectious pleasure.”
For Muzzamil Ibrahim, Bal was household. “I used to be simply 18, contemporary off profitable Gladrags, nervous as hell. He pulled my cheeks and stated, ‘You’re my child brother now.’ He known as me that until the top,” he says, including, “His legacy continues and his garments go on however a part of the magic is gone, it’s irreplaceable. It should by no means be the identical.”
A legacy rooted in Kashmiriyat
Kashmir was not simply Bal’s homeland; it was the soul of his artwork. From delicate embroidery impressed by valley blooms to the melancholic melodies in his reveals, his heritage was his muse.
Designer Rahul Khanna stated, “Sporting a Gudda creation makes you are feeling like you might be on prime of the world. His work was flamboyant but deeply private.”
A mannequin from the present
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
Sonam Kapoor, who broke down in tears whereas closing the present, wore an ensemble steeped in sentiment. “I wore this at my cousin’s marriage ceremony — it has his signature peacock motif. I like Gudda’s creations and what he stood for, which is to take pleasure in every thing that’s stunning in life and to rejoice it. That’s how we should always bear in mind him.”
The curtain name
Rohit Bal’s story is not only stitched into the material of Indian style however into the hearts of all who knew him, wore him, and have been touched by his artistry.
The night was greater than a style showcase; it was a heartfelt farewell, meticulously orchestrated by Sunil Sethi, chairman of the Trend Design Council of India and Soni. “We wished to create a send-off {that a} legend like Gudda deserves,” shared Soni, and so they delivered.
Revealed – February 04, 2025 06:06 pm IST
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