By Goan Observer Team
WHAT do you think Wendell Rodricks was doing just before he passed on in the annals of haute couture design and fashion? Working of course. The Blenders Pride Fashion tour celebrated its milestone 15th edition by unveiling an exclusive collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), recently. The tour was a veritable celebration of fashion reflecting pride in craft, identity and blending – in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Delhi, respectively.
The tour concluded in Mumbai on an extravagant note with a museum-style exhibition of 45 of the country’s leading designer clothes which ended with a spectacular fashion show. The hour-long event kicked off with Bollywood actor and brand ambassador for BPFT, Priyanka Chopra, paying homage to the late Wendell Rodricks. A video tribute of the Master Couturiere was aired and chairperson of FDCI, Sunil Sethi, along with Schulen Fernandes (creative head-Wendell Rodricks) announced that the legacy of the Wendell Rodricks label will continue in the future as in the past.
Ms Fernandes has been handling the business ever since it was handed over to her in August, 2016, while Wendell concentrated on his lifetime ambitious project – the Moda Goa Museum. Here are glimpses of the Ambeanni Collection, Wendell’s final memoir in fashion. It is a fitting tribute to Colvale, the village he took pride in belonging to in his home state of Goa. The Ambeanni Collection. The ‘Ambeanni’ Collection is said to be an extremely special collection of the late pioneering designer’s resort style minimalistic design ideology. It is crafted in the early 90’s for India and inspired by the beach state of Goa. Staying true to the brand’s blue print he has used the natural fabrics of linen and silk to create an effortless fluid look….and what became his signature colour, white.
The six ensembles celebrate six Ambeanni trees, in the label’s classic design creations like the backless crop top, sarong style tie skirt, anti-form fitting gowns in dramatic proportions and a beautiful knitted handcrafted detail in subtle hints of gold. Altogether there is a very elaborate three-dimensional facet to every ensemble in the form of intricately knitted pieces by the extremely talented local artist, Reena Bino. Exquisite knitted details celebrate the beauty of mango trees so dear to Wendell in the form of leaf, stem, veins and flowers. Note the featured knitted designs in styles of ginormous layered circles, aero-dynamic breast plates, cape sleeves in flair, oversized grand earrings and custom form fitted necklaces that highlight the brand’s long standing statement of slow fashion….truly taking the late fashion guru’s minimalistic, gravity defying legacy forward! Take a final bow, Wendell Rodricks!