Rohit Bal to launch shoe line for men

Apart from designing Amitabh Bachchan's looks for the fifth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati and opening a store in New Delhi, fashion designer Rohit Bal, now plans to launch an exclusive line of shoes for men within this year.

Gudda, as he's fondly addressed in the f
ashion circle, plans to get craftsmen from Italy to work on the line. “Italians are the best craftsmen for shoes in the world. So, I'm employing them to work on my signature line too,” beams the ace fashion designer, who will soon be showing at the Men's Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week and the upcoming Couture Week. Rohit is in the process of sealing his deal with a French-Italian company for his line of footwear. He's not frozen on a name yet, but he's sure the line won't include formal wear.

“There are hundreds of local and international brands all over the Indian market that offer formal shoes. So, I don't want to become an ‘also there'. I want to give men something that can be easily worn and looks and feels comfortable,” he explains, adding that he doesn't feel men are snobbish about their footwear. “I want them to become a little more conscious. Women are snooty about what they wear for a specific occasion or attire.”

The designs will have an Indian feel to them replete with hand paintings, Madhubani patterns and brocade work on leather. “To make this line really special, I'm going to employ the finest labour in the world to get a limited stock of these shoes. So, the line will be expensive. Sizes 40, 42 and 44 are the highest selling in the Indian market and these shoes will be in the same bracket,” says Rohit. “Anyway, good pair of shoes never comes cheap.”