Wendell Rodricks, one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers and a pioneer of resort wear, passed away on February 12, 2020 at his home in Goa. He was 59 years old. His death shocked the fashion industry and his fans, who remembered him for his creativity, elegance, and social causes. In this article, we will explore the Wendell Rodricks cause of death, his life, and his legacy.
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Wendell Rodricks Cause of Death: What Happened?
According to the Goa Police, the cause of Wendell Rodricks’ death is being ascertained and a police team has rushed to his residence for investigation. However, sources close to the family state that Rodricks died of a heart attack. He was reportedly suffering from a prolonged illness and succumbed to it at 5:45 pm on Wednesday.
Rodricks was survived by his husband Jerome Marrel, whom he married in a civil ceremony in Paris in 2002. The couple had moved to Goa in 1993 and lived in a 450-year-old heritage house called Casa Dona Maria. Rodricks had planned to convert the house into a museum of Goan costumes and culture, which he had named Moda Goa Museum and Research Centre.
Wendell Rodricks: A Trailblazer in Fashion
Rodricks was born on May 28, 1960 in Mumbai to Goan Catholic parents. He studied catering and worked as an assistant director of the Royal Oman Police Officers Club in Muscat before pursuing his passion for fashion designing. He studied fashion in Los Angeles and Paris and launched his own label in 1989.
Rodricks was known for his minimalist and innovative designs, inspired by his Goan heritage and Indian textiles. He was the first Indian designer to be invited to IGEDO, the world’s largest garment fair, in 1995; the first Indian designer to open the Dubai Fashion Week in 2001; and the first Indian designer to present at the Paris Fashion Week Pret a Porter salon in 2007. He was also a fellow design member of the Fashion Design Council of India.
Rodricks popularized the concept of resort wear and eco-friendly fashion in India. He revived the traditional Goan attire of the kunbi sari and promoted the use of khadi, organic cotton, and bamboo fabrics. He also presented a collection for plus-size women at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2017
Rodricks dressed many celebrities and personalities, including Lisa Ray, Rekha, Malaika Arora, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi. He also featured in films like Kaizad Gustad’s Boom and Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion.
Wendell Rodricks: A Voice for Social Justice
Rodricks was not only a fashion designer, but also an activist for social causes, environment, and gay rights. He was one of the first celebrities to come out as gay in India and advocated for the decriminalization of homosexuality. He also supported various causes such as AIDS awareness, animal welfare, water conservation, and education for the underprivileged
Rodricks was honored with several awards and recognitions for his contributions to fashion and society. He received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2014. He was also conferred the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government in 2015. He was also awarded the Rainbow Warrior Award by Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival in 2014.
Wendell Rodricks: A Legacy to Remember
Wendell Rodricks’ death has left a void in the Indian fashion industry and the hearts of his admirers. He was a visionary, a mentor, a friend, and a role model for many. His work and his spirit will live on through his museum, his books, his students, and his fans. He will be remembered as a legend who changed the face of Indian fashion and made the world a better place. Rest in peace, Wendell Rodricks. You will be missed.