Wendell Rodricks is an Indian fashion designer and author. He is also a social activist and fights for the environment and gay rights.
Wiki/Biography
Wendell Rodricks was born on Saturday, 28 May 1960 (age 59 years; at time of death) in Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Gemini.
Wendell Rodricks childhood photo with his Father
He attended school from St. Michael, Mahim, Mumbai. He graduated in Hotel Management. After completing his studies, he joined the Royal Oman Police Officers Club (ROP) in the city of Muscat in 1982.
Wendell Rodricks in Oman
However, she could not stay in that profession and decided to pursue fashion design. He used all his savings from his job in Muscat to study fashion design in London and Paris from 1986 to 1988. He completed his training at the National Museum of Costume and Fashion in Lisbon (concerning the conservation of pre-21 clothing), and the Museum at the Institute of Fashion Technology, New York City (on modern clothing, under museum director, Valerie Steele).
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 10″
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
He was born into a Goan Catholic Family. His father’s name is Felix Roque Rodricks, and his mother’s name is Greta Rodricks.
Father Wendell Rodricks
He is homosexual and married Jerome Marrel in a civil ceremony in Paris in 2002.
Wendell Rodricks with his Husband
He is the godfather of Arhaan Khan, son of Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora.
Career
As a Fashion Designer
She started her career by designing for brands like Garden Vareli, Lakmé Cosmetics, and DeBeers. He launched his own label under his name in 1989, and his first show was held at the Regal Room of the Oberoi Hotel.
Wendell Rodricks logo
The collection consists of twelve ensembles, with models like Mehr Jesia, and of all the ensembles, only six are complete; because he did not have enough funds to supply the models with shoes or trousers for their organza tunics. His first collection earned him the title of ‘Guru of Minimalism.’ The next collection was in 1995, which pioneered the concept of ‘resort wear’ and ‘eco-friendly wear,’ terms that were foreign to India at the time. He was the first designer from India to be invited to show at IGEDO in Germany (1995), Dubai Fashion Week (2001), Malaysia Fashion Week (2002), the prestigious Paris Pret-a-Porter salon (2007), and the world’s largest organic exhibition , BioFach in Nuremberg, Germany (2012). In 2010, she revised the Goan Kunbi Sari dress and presented it at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.
Wendell Rodricks- The Rise of Kunbi Sari
His efforts have been appreciated by Sonia Gandhi, Sheila Dixit, and Pratibha Patil (former President of India), in reviving the dying ship. In 2016, he announced his retirement from his label and handed it over to his student, Schulen Fernandes. He did this in an effort to focus on his museum “Moda Goa Museum and Research Center.”
As an Author
In 1998, Mario Miranda (Cartoonist and Illustrator) asked him to write a chapter on Pano Bhaju, the traditional dress worn to perform Mando in Goa. This led him to research the dress in detail. In the process, she interned in Lisbon and New York and learned Portuguese to be able to read ancient scripts, so she could learn more about the dress. His years of research on the subject were published in his book “Goa Fashion: History and Style” (2012) by Harper Collins.
In 2012, his autobiography titled “The Green Room” was published.
In 2017, he published his first work of fiction “Poskem: Goans in the Shadows.” The book features illustrations by Mario Miranda.
He has written for numerous magazines, coffee table books, and anthologies. He writes about travel and art, and also writes about food, especially Goan cuisine.
Other Works
He made cameo appearances in the film “Boom” (2003) and the television drama “True West” (2002). He also appeared in the movie “Fashion” (2008) as himself. Since 1993, Wendell and her husband have lived in a 450-year-old house in Colvale, called Casa Dona Maria. In 2016, he moved to a smaller house to hide it as a museum. The museum is named “Moda Goa Museum and Research Center.”
Moda Goa Museum and Research Centre
He has written columns for Goa Today on various social and environmental issues. In 2012, he raised his voice against IRFW (India Resort Fashion Week), which, according to him, was damaging the environment. In 2018, he opened a helpline for the LGBTQ+ community together with Ruby Almeida, co-chair of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics.
Awards & Honors
- Padma Shri in 2014
Wendell Rodricks Receives Padma Shri
- Chevalier de l’Ordre National des Arts et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication in 2015
- Honored by All India Konkani Parishad
Controversy
- In 2020, Wendall criticized Priyanka Chopra for her custom gown by Ralph & Russo that she wore to the Grammy’s. Wendall was criticized for his comments from people including Priyanka’s mother Madhu Chopra and actress Suchitra Krishnamoorthi. Afterwards, Wendall released his statement, in which he wrote,
For all those saying really nasty things about me body shaming, here is my reply. Did I say anything about her body? Nope. Many women do. I just said the dress was wrong for her even though it was couture. It’s more clothing shaming than body shaming. Stop this sermon from above and read the post before you speak. There is an age to wear some clothes. Men with big bellies should not wear tight T-shirts. The same goes for women who wear minis past a certain age. If you don’t have it, don’t show it off. I stopped wearing Bermuda because I have some varicose veins. Don’t make every body issue shameful, sexist or whatever. Or you can be fake and fake using political correctness and dishonesty. If you don’t like my posts, unfriend me.”
- In 2019, he slammed stylist Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for dressing her like a sack at Paris Fashion Week. She posted a collage of her looks on her social media account and wrote,
@loreal you have one of the most beautiful women on the planet and that’s how you make up and dress her? Fire the stylist for this sack dress with the notice that Halloween is next month.”
- In 2018, she uploaded a picture on her Instagram account and accused Payal Khandawala of plagiarizing her cloth folding technique. The photo Wendell shared included his creation and Payal, who is also Wendell’s former student. Wendell wrote on his Instagram,
At a time when the fashion industry is being hit by demonetisation and GST, it is sad that someone who has been taught, mentored, befriended and participated in LFW should resort to blatant copying. Sorry… but since 1995, have been doing this fold with innovation but now that it is affecting our business, I have to say this.
- In 2016, he exhibited the history of Goan costumes titled “Ten Histories/Goan Costumes” at the Serendipity Art Festival in Goa. However, Goa University professor and Head of the Department of History, Dr Pratima Kamat called out the exhibition for factual inaccuracies. Pratima then tells the organizers to cover the text. Wendell threatened to withdraw from being the curator of the exhibition. Finally, the cover was removed, and the text was displayed.
Wendell Rodricks Exhibition on History of Goan Costume
Address
158, Near Taman Francisco Loui Louis Gommes, Campal, Panjim, 403001
Death
Wendell Rodricks, at the age of 59, died on February 12, 2020 at his home in Goa. The cause of his death is uncertain but there is speculation that he died of prolonged illness.
Favorite Things
- Cuisine: Indian, French, Chinese, Ottoman
- Food: Morning Glory Tempura with Dip Shrimp, Pani Puri, Fried Chili Chorizo with Egg, Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms
- Beverage: Green Japanese tea with roasted rice flavor
- Dessert: Orange cake with chocolate chips
- Champagne: Krug and Crystal
- Cafe: Cafe de Flore, Paris
- Automobile Brand: Mahindra, BMW
- Musician: Ludwig van Beethoven
- Books: “Through the Narrow Gate” by Karen Armstrong and “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese
- Sunglasses: Dior and Tom Ford
- Travel Destinations: Mumbai, Istanbul and Paris
Facts/Trivia
- He likes to travel, listen to classical western music, and do photography.
- While he was working in Oman, he also served with the former Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said from 1982 to 1986.
- He was part of the Khadi Movement and promoted Khadi clothing at the world’s largest organic exhibition, BioFach, in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2011.
- In 2017, she presented a collection for plus-size women at Lakme Fashion Week.
- When Lisa Ray, one of her close friends decided to get married, she chose a dress designed by Wendell in 2012.
- He was instrumental in launching the careers of famous celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma. He launched Anushka Sharma as a model at the Les Vamps Show at Lakme Fashion Week in 2007 and also encouraged her to move to Mumbai. He also recommended Deepika Padukone (who had modeled for him for about two years) to Malaika Arora, who in turn recommended her to Farah Khan for “Om Shanti Om” (2007), Deepika’s debut film.
Wendell Rodricks with Deepika Padukone on Ramp
- In 2019, he petitioned against the demolition of a 100-year-old church in Colvale, Goa.
- He met Jerome Marrel for the first time when he was working for the Royal Police Officers Club of Oman (ROP) in 1983. A friend of Wendell introduced him to Jerome. Wendell credits Marrel for his success as a fashion designer, which he mentions in his book “The Green Room.”
- She loves to cook and often posts pictures of her cooking on her social media accounts.
- She is an animal lover and has two dogs named Zoe and Zorba, and a cat named Freddy.
Wendell Rodricks with his Dog
- He also has a deep interest in music. He knows how to play the guitar and used to sing.
- He is very close to veteran Indian actress Rekha and considers her as his late sister. She also paid tribute to him at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), on the occasion of his 60th birthday in 2014.
Wendell Rodricks with Rekha
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
