Watch: Unwell Rohit Bal lights up ramp with spirited dance at final fashion show

Rohit Bal, the celebrated fashion designer who died at 63 on Friday, shook a leg on the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week, his last fashion show nearly three weeks ago, despite battling health issues, and his spirited dance left the audience mesmerised.
Rohit Bal made an appearance at the Lakme Fashion Week in Delhi on October 14, nearly a year after he was admitted to the ICU at a private hospital in Gurugram for a heart ailment. At his final fashion show, he presented his last collection, Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe, a seamless blend of traditional Indian aesthetics with a modern flair, replete with his signature lotus motifs and exquisite Kashmiri embroidery.
Despite being visibly unwell, Rohit Bal grooved to the lyrics of the song ‘Afterglow’ as actor Ananya Panday, who turned showstopper for the fashion designer, and other models cheered and applauded him. He had a rose in his hand while dancing and, ironically, a print of the red roses was embroidered on Ananya Panday’s black lehenga – a hallmark of the 63-year-old’s design.
The legendary fashion designer danced with vigour and joy despite his physical frailty. It was as if the music and the applause had infused him with a temporary reprieve from his ailments, allowing him to express the sheer exuberance and love he had for his craft.
The audience was left fascinated by the final performance of Rohit Bal aka Gudda and his dance was not just a celebration of his work but also a testament to his indomitable spirit. It was a moment of pure magic, where the boundaries between designer, artist, and performer blurred, leaving behind only the essence of his art.
Rohit Bal’s last dance was more than just a performance. It was a celebration of his life, his art, and the enduring impact he had on the world of fashion.
Born into a Kashmiri Pandit family on May 8, 1961, in Srinagar, Rohit Bal’s journey in fashion began in 1986, when he co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother. In 1990, he launched his first solo collection, marking the beginning of his influential career.
A graduate in History from St Stephen’s College in Delhi, Rohit Bal later attended the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi to hone his craft in fashion design. His work reached beyond clothing, extending to jewellery design, where his craftsmanship was equally celebrated.
Over the years, he opened flagship stores in major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai. His work with Khadi Gram Udyog, the country’s largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula, further strengthened his reputation as a designer deeply rooted in Indian heritage.
In December last year, Rohit Bal faced health issues that required intensive care after being admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram for cardiac concerns.
The fashion designer will be cremated at the Lodhi Road Crematorium at 5 pm on Saturday and his death marked the end of an era in Indian fashion, leaving behind a legacy that blends traditional artistry with a visionary approach.