NEW DELHI (AP) 鈥�
Rohit Bal, one of India鈥檚 best-known fashion designers, died late Friday after a prolonged illness, the fashion designers association in the country announced. He was 63.
The Fashion Design Council of India, or FDCI, said in a post on Instagram, that they mourned 鈥渢he passing of (a) legendary designer鈥� who was 鈥渒nown for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities.鈥�
Bal was one of India鈥檚 first designers who pioneered fashion design as a profession in the 1990s. The FDCI said Bal鈥檚 work 鈥渞edefined Indian fashion鈥� and 鈥渋nspired generations.鈥�
He had developed a heart condition in 2010. In between Bal took breaks from his work due to ill health but had made a comeback just weeks ago.
Bal was born in Indian-controlled Kashmir鈥檚 main city of Srinagar in 1961. He graduated from New Delhi鈥檚 St. Stephens College in history and later took a course in fashion design at India's National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi.
In 1990, he launched his own label and designer line which later expanded to several stores across India, the Middle East and Europe. His clientele included celebrities from Hollywood and India鈥檚 rich and famous.
Sunil Sethi, the FDCI chairman, said on Instagram that his death has left 鈥渁 void in the fashion design space forever.鈥�
The Associated Press
