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India’s celebrated and Goa’s very own fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks passed away in his sleep at his Colvale residence on Wednesday evening. He was 59.
Besides being an ace designer, Rodricks was also an activist in his own right and a vocal advocate of gay rights.
The government of India conferred him the fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 2014.
The renowned fashion designer who was ailing for some time passed away peacefully in his sleep at around 4.45 pm.
“He was fine in the morning. After having lunch he went to take his normal rest in the afternoon. When we went to wake him up at around 4.45 pm he was already gone,” said Mahesh Tuenkar, Wendell’s manager.
The funeral will take place at 4 pm on Thursday at St Francis of Assisi Church, Colvale.
Born to a Goan Catholic family, Wendell was mostly touring the world on his fashion assignments but when in Goa lived in his house at Colvale.
A self-confessed gay, he was married to Jerome Marrel in a civil ceremony in Paris in 2002 and since then both lived together.
Wendell was known to be outspoken in his views on social issues particularly concerning Goa.
Around a year back, on February 27, 2019, Wendell had made his presence felt near the iconic Colvale trees which were sought to be then as part of the ongoing expansion of NH66.
Mourning the death of the famed designer, Tivim MLA, Nilkant Halarnkar said Rodricks had brought laurels to the State in the world of fashion designing.
“He is and inspiration to all the youngsters in the State. He was very talented. With his achievements he has made Colvale and Goa proud. He will be remembered forever,” Halarnkar said.
Fashion Design Council of India chairman Sunil Sethi said Rodricks’ sudden death due to heart attack has shocked to the fashion industry.
“I still can’t believe that he is dead. I spoke to him just two days ago and invited him for our finale. I was also working
with him on his museum. He has died too young.
“Entire fashion industry is shocked. I got to know that he suffered a heart attack. People did notice a little change in his health, but nobody
realised it will lead to this. It’s too sudden. He was a legend,” Sethi told PTI on the sidelines of the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.
A tribute was also paid to Rodricks at the fashion event later in the evening.
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani also condoled his death.
“Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Wendell Rodricks, one of India’’s most renowned designers. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace,” she tweeted.
Fashion designer Rina Dhaka said she was “devastated” to know about Rodricks’’ passing away.
“I had known him since ‘90s. It is a great loss. He was a brave man and always vocal about his views and worked a lot for the local people of Goa,” Dhaka said.
Designer Samant Chauhan said, “It’s a very sad news. I remember how inspiring he was, a perfectionist. I really admired him both as a person and a designer.” “Shocked and heartbroken. Much too young to go like this. Just can’’t believe it,” tweeted Soni Razdan.
“Really sad to hear about the passing of Wendell Rodricks, fashion designer, activist, a son of Goa and a wonderful human being,” musician Ehsaan Noorani tweeted.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, in whose film “Fashion” Rodricks had a role, said the designer’s death came as a shock.
Designer Rahul Mishra called Rodricks’ death a “personal loss”.
“He was always encouraging. When I first showcased in Gen Next, he gave me a standing ovation, very few people in the fashion industry support you the way he did. He always promoted young talent and had a great vision,” Mishra said. (with PTI inputs)
