You married your male models at your Fashion Week (FW) collection. Why were the men wearing sindoor?

What’s your obsession with gender benders?
It’s not an obsession, but I strongly feel that the distinction between a man and a woman doesn’t work in the modern world. It works only when you talk of procreation, but we’ve evolved more than that. I believe in the equality of the sexes and the liberation of minds. That’s it.

Who’s been your favourite designer at FW?
Honestly, I haven’t seen many shows but I loved the energy of Cue and I thought Malini Ramani had a shocking collection. But I liked mine the most.

You’re often called the bad boy of Indian fashion. When is Rohit Bal going to grow up?
I don’t think I’ll ever grow up. I don’t think I ever want to. I’ll just mature like a good wine.

Do you think it’s important to have a wild image?
I think it’s important for everyone not to have an image. It’s important to be yourself, whether that’s wild or tame or just insane, it doesn’t matter.

You often make bigger news with your hair hue.
It’s just that there is hardly a man from our 5,000 designers who changes his hair colour. I make news because it’s Rohit Bal the designer, not Rohit Bal the anybody-else. But for the last year, it’s been the same—my natural blond with highlights.

David Beckham is your icon. Like him, have you worn women’s underwear?
No, I haven’t, but then, I don’t have a wife! I wouldn’t have a problem wearing someone’s underwear, it’s important to be so intimate.

What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever designed?
Two years back I made a man’s suit in baby pink and silver. It was worn with black lace thongs that you could see through the trousers. It was quite sexy.

Does sex inspire you?
Yes it does. Sex inspires me and it rules me. It’s wonderful to have a sex drive, it’s great to be sexually liberated and to experiment with sexual preferences. Sex rules.