Rohit Bal's new collection with BIBA could be a game-changer. The designer tells K Bhardwaj that the future of the fashion industry lies in numbers
In his career of 25 years, celebrated designer Rohit Bal has tried his hands on various things in different capacities. From clothes, carpets, interiors, hotels to luxury villas, he has done it all. Perhaps the only urge left was to reach out to the masses directly, so Bal finally found a way out. He has launched an affordable festive collection with BIBA which according to him is the game-changing step in the business of fashion.
“The biggest highlight of this collections is the price itself. It is highly affordable and wearable. Now you can have Rohit Bal’s complete look in not-so-Rohit Bal price,” quips the designer.
“I think a lot of known designers are not affordable today. Also, our industry is still not organised. So by such collaborations, one gets to reach out to masses and can produce on a large scale. I believe that the future of the fashion industry lies in big numbers and it’s high-time our fraternity accepts this fact. I have taken the first step and others can follow it. This collection is being done on a very large scale. ,” he adds.
The ethnic collection which comprises anarkalis, churidars, kurtis etc is priced between Rs 8,000-18,000. He has used embroidery, block printing, appliqué with colour palette of indgo, wine, orange etc. The clothes will be available at BIBA stores as well as other stores and online websites. The designer shared that he took over two months to put together the ensembles. “It’s typical Rohit Bal collection. I have not lowered down any element. The aesthetics are still the same,” he says.
The designer says his collaborations so far with several brands and companies have not made him compromise on his design ethics and sensibilities. “That’s the only condition I put forward before signing any deal. I want to experiment but not at the cost of my own aesthetics,” he says.
For the 52-year-old fashion icon, it’s a natural progression to diversify. “After a point, one needs to strengthen the brand identity which is possible through tie-ups, domestic and international. At present, I am designing interiors of villas in Pune, Hyderabad and Goa. I am very busy with many engagements,” he says. Bal is also busy writing two books. “I am doing one coffee table book with Om Books. It talks about my career in last 25 years. The other book is published by Penguin. It’s like fashion through my eyes. I am going to talk about my own journey through the world of fashion,” he says. The books are expected to come out next year. “I am still writing them,” he tells us.
Bal finished his education before taking up his passion for design. Graduating from St Stephen’s with a first class in History, he worked for his brother’s export business before launching his debut menswear line in 1990. Over the years, he has done special tie-ups with brands like Hidesign, Oriflame, Mitsubishi Outlander and Windproof Zippo lighter are just some of the names.