Award-winning fashion designer Wendell Rodricks dies in Goa
PANAJI:(GOA) : Celebrated designer Wendell Rodricks died at his home in Goa on Wednesday. He was 59. The designer was at his Colvale residence in Goa at the time of his death.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mapusa, Gajanan Prabhudesai confirmed the death of Rodricks. “The cause of his death is being ascertained and a police team has rushed to his residence for investigation,” he said.
The Fashion Design Council Of India mourned Wendell Rodricks in a tweet, writing: “FDCI 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.” Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane remembered Wendell Rodricks with this tweet: “Deeply saddened to hear about the sudden demise of my very good friend and designer, Wendell Rodricks. His excellency in his work and skills are irreplaceable and shall always be cherished. We will miss him. .”
Wendell Rodricks launched his own fashion brand in 1989 and announced his retirement from his label in 2016, which then he handed over to his long-time associate Schulen Fernandes. In the fashion world, Wendell Rodricks is best known for bringing forth the concept of resort wear to the limelight and for advocating eco-friendly fashion.
Rodricks worked towards successfully setting up the Moda Goa Museum, which is dedicated to the history of Goan costumes and Goan fashion artefacts. In 2016, he and his husband Jerome Marrel shifted to a smaller house in Goa’s Colvale to convert Wendell Rodricks original Goa home into the museum.
Wendell Rodricks sported many hats. Apart from his remarkable body of work as a designer, Wendell Rodricks was also an author. He wrote about Goan fashion in his 2012 book Moda Goa: History And Style. Wendell Rodricks published his autobiography The Green Room in the same year. He also authored Poskem: Goans In The Shadows in 2017.
Rodricks was also known for being associated with social causes, including his activism for gay rights. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2014 and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres in 2015.
Wendell Rodricks’ association with Bollywood extended beyond stars endorsing his creations. He featured in a cameo in 2003 film Boom and also starred in the 2002 television play True West. He made an appearance in Priyanka Chopra’s 2008 film Fashion.
(With Agency Inputs ).
