Pioneer of Eco-fashion Wendell Rodricks no more
NEW DELHI: Veteran fashion designer Wendell Rodricks (60) passed away in Panaji, Goa, on Wednesday evening. The Padma Shri awardee was an environmentalist and an activist who had been suffering from a prolonged illness, to which he succumbed at 5.45 p.m. on Wednesday. Rodricks was a beloved face in the fashion industry who was loved by peers and competitors alike. Years ahead of his time, he was the pioneer of Eco-fashion in the country and can be credited with introducing the concept of resort wear in India.
The champion of “Make in India,” even before the movement was started, Rodricks was the first Indian designer to be invited to the world’s largest garment fair — IGEDO — in 1995. The first Indian designer to open the Dubai Fashion Week in 2001, Rodricks was also invited to present his creations at the Paris Pret a Porter salon in 2007.
FDCI President Sunil Sethi stated, “It’s such a shocker. Just two days ago, we were discussing a show which was to take place on February 22. His museum was to open in Goa in March. We were working quite closely together as the FDCI was to take space in the museum which he had been working on over the past two years.
“From winning the Padma Shri and writing books to discovering most of India’s biggest models and having a celebrity clientele — there was so much achievement. And he was not finished. There is still something that was left to achieve. It is a sad day for the Indian fashion Industry. Wendell was a legend and he will be missed a lot. I wish Jerome, his partner, all the strength.”
The designer also authored a number of books, including “Moda Goa: History and Style,” “Poskem: Goans in the Shadows’ and his autobiography “The Green Room.” Designer Hemant Sagar said, “I first met him when we were both invited to stock in a multi-designer store almost two decades ago, because we were the only two Indian designers with a Western sensibility and he loved a pair of pants I was wearing, made by me. He later bought one of them and was shopping in Paris where he bumped into Karl Lagerfeld who loved them. So that’s what dear Wendell was for me, a man always true to himself.”
Rodricks was also a recipient of the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts Et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in 2015. Born into a Goan Catholic family, the 60-year-old designer travelled around the world, from Los Angeles to Paris, to study fashion. He interned at the National Museum of Costume and Fashion in Portugal and the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City. He launched his label in 1989. Part of the khadi movement, Rodricks was a man of vision and was in the process of setting up the Moda Goa Museum and Research Centre before his untimely death.
As the news came out in the public domain, Twitter flooded with condolences messages. The Fashion Design Council Of India took to Twitter to pay their tribute: “DCI is deeply disheartened with the sudden and untimely demise of one of the country’s iconic designer, Wendell Rodricks. The fashion fraternity lost a legend today. Wendell, we will miss you.”
A user wrote, “Ace Fashion designer and Padma Shree Awardee @Wendellrodricks passes away at the age of 59. May his soul rest in peace! India lost a star today...”
Another wrote, “Saddened to hear the news of the passing away of #Wendellrodricks. His love for #Goa, it’s environment and it’s people will not be forgotten.”
“Deeply shocked to hear about the passing away of acclaimed fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. May his soul rest in peace. #Wendellrodricks #RIP” read one post.
A user remarked, “This is terrible!! Pride of Goa and Maverick designer No More... Shocked beyond words.. RIP. Can’t accept this.”
Wendell Rodricks was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 and was a recipient of Chevalier de L’ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the order of arts and letters) in 2015.
Filmmaker Onir paid a special tribute to his friend, “Absolutely shocked and heartbroken to hear about my friend @Wendellrodricks sudden demise. Sad that this happens when he was about to open his dream project...” Rohan Khaunte wrote, “Absolutely shocked by the untimely loss of renowned designer Padmashri Wendell Rodricks. His contribution to Goa & the world of art cannot be quantified. At loss of words! Rest in Peace, @ wendellrodricks. Thoughts and prayers for his family & friends.” Bollywood actor Neil Nitish Mukesh wrote, “Genuinely sad to hear the news of Wendell Rodricks passing away.”