Cufflinks to carpets, Rohit Bal spreads design net wide

New Delhi: Rohit Bal, one of India`s best known designers with over two decades in the fashion industry, says he is experimenting and expanding his business through international tie-ups that involve a range of products from jewellery to interiors.

From associating with a carpet line to designing a luxury hotel in Goa, Bal is busy with a slew of projects. "There are so many projects that are keeping me busy nowadays. I have associated with a very large carpet project. This is a worldwide tie-up and will be launched in September this year. I can`t name the company with whom I have tied up, but, yes, this is one of the projects," Bal, 54, said. He doesn`t want to name the companies he is collaborating with, and said: "I have also tied up with an international textile company where I will be doing an entire collection for menswear. From shirts, trousers to ties and cufflinks, every man will find everything of his interest. The collection will be sold at 9 AM stores and at my stores in India very soon." Bal is credited with changing the face of Indian fashion with his design sensibilities. After completing his graduation from St. Stephen`s college with a first class in history honours, the designer knew where his interests lay and he took a baby step by joining his brother`s export firm before launching his debut menswear line in 1990. And the rest, as they say, is history! If he made global footprints, Bal was equally involved with desi ventures. He was chosen by Khadi Gram Udyog to work with it and also bagged the Designer of the Year award at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2006. He was also profiled by Time magazine as India`s Master of Fabric and Fantasy in a special report. He is perhaps one of the few names who has a range of collaborations to his credit - Hidesign, Oriflame, Mitsubishi Outlander and Windproof Zippo Lighter to name just a few. Talking about his collaboration strategy, he said: "I choose a brand if it has scope of utilising my ideas and creativity to create something outstanding." His next business venture is with shoe and jewellery brands apart from designing a luxury hotel in Goa. "I am also tying up with a jewellery brand to design some ethnic and trendy pieces. Last is a tie-up with a shoe brand and I will be making a lineup of shoes," Bal said. "I have also tied up with a hotel project in Goa where I am designing the interiors. This hotel will be one of the super luxury hotels in Goa," he added. He is currently associated with two luxury restaurants in the capital - Veda and Cibo. Talking about fashion weeks, Bal is one name who avoids inviting Bollywood celebrities to walk the ramp as he believes that designers` work gets overshadowed by their presence. IANS