Nine months following the death of iconic fashion designer Rohit Bal — affectionately referred to as Gudda by the fashion fraternity — his house returned to the catwalk in a moment that was truly historic. At India Couture Week 2025, the Rohit Bal house, now being creatively headed by Fraze Tasnim, introduced Kash Gul — a range that wasn’t so much about couture, but continuity.
“This was not a tribute show, but a step ahead,” pronounced Tasnim, as soon as the show had concluded, voice firm but eyes brimming with emotion. “Gudda would not have wanted a melancholic remembrance. He would have demanded a celebration.”
A New Chapter Opens
The India Couture Week runway was abuzz with silence and expectation as lights were dimmed, and the show started with a soft echo of a Kashmiri traditional melody. The audience, comprising industry folk, celebrities, friends, and devoted brand loyalists, sat in stunned contemplation. As the models strutted out in Bal’s characteristic ivory shapes — achkans, kalidar kurtas, lehengas, and majestic sherwanis — it was more like a reunion in memoriam than a fashion show. The completely ivory stage setting merely added to the solemnity, creating a moment of piety.
But slowly, and almost poetically, the atmosphere began to transform.
The Spirit of Gudda
As the last sequence came on, the music changed. Upbeat songs started playing. Models started smiling. Some spun around. Others strutted along playfully. And then, in one shocking instant, the ramp became a party — literally. Models danced along the catwalk, people stood up from their seats, and the whole room became an ecstatic tribute.
This is precisely the way he lived. Loud, fiery, and never shy about breaking rules,” according to actress and style icon Sonam Kapoor, who was spotted cheering from the front row. “Gudda would’ve danced too.
Several members of the audience were caught holding back their tears, their emotions torn between happiness and nostalgia. For fashion writer and veteran Bal chronicler Reva Malhotra, it was like a healing ceremony. “It wasn’t merely about presenting a collection. It was a celebration of Rohit’s bold individuality and larger-than-life personality,” she explained.
Kash Gul: Kashmir in Bloom
The new line, Kash Gul, which translates to ‘flower of Kashmir,’ was a valentine to the valley that significantly impacted Bal’s design trajectory. The embroideries mimicked chinar leaves, saffron flowers, and the regal lotus — all done by hand by Kashmiri artisans who’ve collaborated with the brand for decades.
From ethereal organza saris to lavish velvet sherwanis, the line retained Bal’s trademark extravagance while casting a hint of new direction. There were faintly modern touches — corseted blouses with structure, collared shirts blown up, and even metallic details — indicating Fraze Tasnim’s design sense starting to merge into the brand DNA.
The only thing left unchanged was the label’s dedication to craftsmanship. “This collection was created with the same karigars, the same hands Gudda relied on for decades. We wanted to keep the soul intact,” Tasnim explained.
The Pressure of Legacy
Inheriting a label as legendary as Rohit Bal’s is not an easy feat. Gudda was not only a designer but a force in Indian fashion, who brought drama, theatre, and uncompromising expression to the ramp. His shows were never shows but performances. From lotus motifs to regal showstoppers like Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal, Bal understood how to mesh couture with charisma.
Fraze Tasnim, who spent more than a decade working under Bal, knows this legacy all too well. “It’s daunting, yes. But Gudda conditioned us. He constantly used to tell us, ‘Don’t be afraid to be too much.’ So here we are — too much, in the best possible way,” he smiled.
Industry Cheers the Revival
The fashion fraternity welcomed the return of Rohit Bal’s label with open arms. Veteran designer JJ Valaya, who shared both friendship and fierce competition with Bal over the years, posted on Instagram: “Gudda, you’re missed. But your house still roars.”
Fashion Council of India President Sunil Sethi described the show “a landmark moment for Indian fashion.” He added, “To keep a legacy going with such pleasure, panache, and humility is not common. Fraze did something lovely today.”
What’s Next?
Although the show was an emotional highlight, the brand has more on its agenda than nostalgia. Rohit Bal’s brand will debut a limited-edition bridal collection this winter and extend its digital couture to the world beyond. Rumors of an international exhibition in Paris or London are already rife.
But for the time being, the house is still wallowing in the glow of an undeniably unforgettable evening — one that was half farewell, half festival, and all Gudda.
When the lights went down and the final beats of the music disappeared into the distance, a voice from the back row whispered, “He’s dancing somewhere, I just know it.”
And for anyone in attendance at the ramp that evening, there was no question — he certainly was.
