Ananya Panday blooms at Lakme Fashion Week; Rohit Bal proves he’s not a designer but an artist

Rohit Bal had once famously said, “I am not a commercial designer, but an artist,” and he proved the same yet again at the grand finale of Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI, which was truly an affair to remember as one of the most celebrated designers of India, put up an outstanding show ending his long hiatus from the fashion world owing to a critical heart condition.Bal’s much-awaited collection, “Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe,” was inspirational and dedicated to the charm of the nature and delicate elegance of flowers.

Indian film actress, Ananya Panday was the showstopper for the show; and she embodied all that Rohit Bal’s collection stood for: timeless elegance, and celestial charm. The flowing fabrics and heavy embroidery underplaying the ensembles were accentuated by her effortless stroll down the ramp. Dressed in a piece that merely underlined the vivid hues and lightweight floral motifs of the collection, Ananya splendidly showed exactly how far the idea of beauty going from its bud stage to full bloom is illustrative of just how beautiful this world is on a starry night.
Set against the opulence of one of New Delhi’s most regal hotels, the show came as a significant tribute paid to nature’s relentless cycle of growth that mirrored beautifully in every outfit sent down the catwalk. The collection by Rohit Bal became an epitome of the beauty of life that gradually unfolded like a flower.
What a comeback!
But what was given to the attendees was an exquisitely nice merge of the various elements of high fashion and beauty, as if the hallmark craftsmanship of Rohit Bal merged with that elegance of the models walking by. The grand finale not only marked a successful ending but also celebrated the iconic partnership between the two brands and the impending comeback of Bal, Indian fashion‘s favourite light-eyed boy!
“Kaaynaat was a journey through the wonders of nature, celebrating the bloom of life and beauty. It has been an incredible experience. This collection in turn reflects both the elegance of nature and the enduring strength of beauty,” said Bal post the show. The crowd digested that, understanding the core takeaway at the night’s end.

And that is exactly what the closing splashes of colours did when the dim lights brought applause all over the hall because, as Rohit Bal’s “Kaaynaat” concluded the fashion week, it left quite an imprint and redefined the juncture of fashion and nature, reminding everyone in the audience of the elegance amidst this beauty surrounding them, inciting every last one of us to appreciate the beauty in the numerous blooms that life offers.
The most underrated designer?
Bal is probably one of the most iconic designers that India has to boast of paradoxically, overlooked in mainstream talk on fashion. In a world of almost constant change, designing a commercially viable outfit as well as being a provider of authentic cultural garments is what will make him stand out in the rapidly changing industry.
One of the unique aspects about Bal is his deep respect for Indian heritage. He is able to integrate them-all the intricate embroidery, rich fabrics, and traditional motifs-into modern shapes. And it is this connection with tradition which many find endearing but it also is a hindrance sometimes as it can be assumed so overpowering that Bal creates an impression that his work is less ‘out there’ than some newer designers.

More importantly, Bal’s designs generally always reminisce one about the nostalgic past and historical influences where he celebrates the cultural richness of India. This may not sometimes rub well with the fast fashion world, but it boasts a depth worth noting. His collections are so much more than a mere statement of fashion; they narrate stories and leave one feeling emotional as he calls those to reconnect with their roots.
While Bal is relatively quiet and a quality-over-hype man, he is vastly underrated in terms of status. Unlike many designers that flood the media with marketing campaigns and secure celebrity endorsements to bring in attention, Bal talks more about the art of fashion than its external displays of greatness. A steadfast determination to craftsmanship and originality, because of this, is often overlooked for flashier brands.
In the end, one owes much to Rohit Bal, who so doggedly believes in the commingling of tradition and innovation and who celebrates himself as a storyteller in the body of fashion. The fashion world is constantly changing trends around, and we must not forget the depth and artistry of designers like Bal, who add richness to the industry only from their originality as well as an unquestioned commitment to their work.