Old school fashion glamour is back, all thanks to Rohit Bal

A model kisses designer Rohit Bal’s hand at his show. (Express photo by Chitral Khambati)

The prince has come home, the audience seemed to say, as everyone rose to give a standing ovation to the designer for his collection Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe, celebrating the beauty of nature and elegance of flowers.

In a beautiful ode to his Kashmiri roots, Gudda, as fashion insiders and friends call him, presented a breathtaking tribute to nature’s eternal cycle of growth, reflected in every garment that graced the runway.

Model Laxmi Rana at the Rohit Bal show. (Express photo by Chitral Khambati)

From milky white to deep burgundy, colours, and florals dominated the runway as models glided down the ramp to a 90s playlist dominated by Madonna and Kate Bush, channelling the vibe of old-school fashion shows.

Ananya Panday closed the show wearing a noir floral lehenga that perfectly encapsulated the collection’s timeless elegance and celestial beauty.

Ananya Panday at the Rohit Bal show (Express photo by Chitral Khambati)

In a press conference after the show, Panday revealed her outfit is extremely similar to a floral jacket “Gudda” had made for her father, Chunky Panday. She said she has since “stolen from my dad’s closet.”

Bal, said in a press release, “Kaaynaat was a journey through the wonders of nature, celebrating the bloom of life and beauty. Collaborating with Lakmé was an incredible experience, and this collection reflects both the grace of nature and the enduring power of beauty.”

In a beautiful ode to his Kashmiri roots, Gudda presented a breathtaking tribute to nature’s eternal cycle of growth, reflected in every garment that graced the runway. (Express photo by Chitral Khambati)

Industry insiders, including fashion critic Diet Sabya, have speculated that the show might be Bal’s last as the designer remains plagued with the illness that seems to be worsening, as a visibly sick Bal took to the ramp, with the help of four other people. But his spirit? It was much stronger than the full house present at the show.