Ace designer Rohit Bal has tied up with an NGO in an attempt to help the homeless victims of the devastating Jammu and Kashmir floods.The floods have left many homeless, and Bal, who is himself from Kashmir, has decided to supply building materials to help them build new houses."We are already sending whatever we can in the best way possible," Bal told IANS. "Next, we are planning to send trucks loaded with bricks to help them make their houses because no matter whatever we send, if they don’t have homes to live in, than what we have sent earlier is of no use. We are going to help them build their houses,” he added.Bal has tied up with NGO Insaniyat for the cause.The floods that ravaged Jammu and Kashmir left 315 people dead, 81 of them in the Kashmir Valley and 234 in the Jammu region. Srinagar city accounted for 43 deaths.Bal is not only helping the sufferers, but he has pledged to dedicate the collection from the grand finale at the forthcoming edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) to the flood victims.
Incidentally, the collection that he will showcase at the WIFW, is inspired by the rich and the lush Mughal gardens in Kashmir. The ensemble titled “Gulbagh” is a tribute to the valley. He gave a sneak peak at the collection Tuesday.Bal has used fabrics like chanderi, fine mulmul, matka silk and voil and not to forget his signature velvet to put together the line.Sharing the high point of the collection, he said: “I have kept the look and the feel contemporary with strong Indian sensibility, which is my trade mark.”WIFW, the five-day fashion extravaganza organised by Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), will start Oct 8 at Pragati Maidan.Continuing the tradition of organising offsite shows, Bal has decided to showcase his collection at a “heritage site” this time.
“We have best of the world Sufi singers performing in my show and the show will happen at a heritage site,” he said without revealing the venue name.Bal, known for his intricate detailing and lotus motifs, said that all his shows are a “challenge” for him and he ensures each one is better than the other.“I have done finales several times. My show is always about big production. It's not just about clothes on the ramp, it's always larger than life. I always put same effort. In fact, more every time. it’s not really a pressure , I think it’s a challenge,” he said.