Tasnim Fraze, creative director Rohit Bal, brings garden of flowers from Kashmir in Matka silks and poetic khadi for ICW 2025.
By Asmitaa Aggarwal
It is quite a larger-than-life legacy of the iconic Rohit Bal to carry on his nimble shoulders but Tasnim Fraze, believes, “It’s an honour and a deeply personal responsibility. Everything he created came from a place of love — for Indian craft, the beauty of Kashmir, and the people who bring that beauty to life. I had the privilege of learning and growing under his guidance for over a decade. As Creative Director, my role now is to protect what he built and let it grow, with the hope that everything we create reflects the integrity and grace he always stood for.”
His journey with Rohit Bal began in 2013, just after he graduated from design school Symbiosis International University, he began as a young designer in his team and over time, got the chance to be involved in more — from design to the business side of things. “Rohit Bal always valued growth and believed in continuous learning. He encouraged me to pursue further education, which led me to do my MBA at IIM Ahmedabad. That experience helped me understand how to balance creativity with business decisions. But the real learning came from working with him — being in the atelier, working with artisans, and watching how an idea would turn into something special in his hands,” he adds.
The FDCI ICW collection called Kash-gul, draws inspiration from the landscape and poetry of Kashmir — especially from Gulistan, which means the “garden of flowers”. This collection connects with shared memory, craft, and tradition. “We’ve worked closely with artisans to preserve techniques that have been passed down over generations. We’ve used fabrics like Matka silk and velvet, with thread work and gold zardozi that add richness and depth. The motifs — peacock, lotus, and rose — were signature elements in Rohit Bal’s work, and they continue in this collection. What I have tried to retain is his sense of elegance and the quiet drama that made his work timeless,” he explains.
Tasnim grew up in Bihar, grew up surrounded by culture, stories, and art. Bihar is also the land of hand-woven matka silk, and khadi was a part of daily life. “Being around these kinds of fabrics from a young age naturally drew me toward textiles and eventually, into fashion. Fashion became more serious for me during design school. And everything truly came together when I started working with Rohit Bal,” he confirms.
Couture today is about meaning, he believes. Brides are looking for pieces that reflect who they are — not just garments that are heavy or ornate. “There’s a clear shift toward personal connection, craftsmanship, and quiet elegance,” he adds. For the festive season, what always works is a garment that feels intentional — something with clean construction, beautiful fabric, and quiet presence. When it’s made with care and worn with confidence, it never fails to leave an impression!