Jerome Marrel, husband of designer Wendell Rodricks who passed away last week, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note for his partner and bid him adieu. Sharing a picture of Rodricks on the late designer's Instagram profile, Marrel wrote: “Adieu, Wendell! I want to thank all the friends who have sent a message of condolence. I will not take calls for a while but will reply personally soon."
Rodricks passed away at his home in Goa on February 12. Rodricks was 59. Rodricks was known for creating designs that brought together the traditional with the relaxed Goan vibe. He arrived at the fashion scene in 1988. Through his designs, he celebrated the aesthetics and philosophies of India. According to him, he brought in minimalism, eco and resort wear to the fashion industry. He was a Padma Shri awardee and a published writer with books such as Moda Goa - History and Style, The Green Room and Poskem: Goans in the Shadows.
A well-known gay activist, Rodricks married Marrel in Paris in 2002.
His sudden demise came as a shock to the fashion and well as the entertainment industry. Tributes poured in on social media, with the likes of Malaika Arora, Anushka Sharma, Diana Penty crediting him for introducing them to the world of showbiz and thanking him for his mentorship.
Anushka said Rodricks was one of the reasons she mustered courage to move to Mumbai from Bengaluru to pursue modelling at the age of 18. Sharing a photograph with Rodricks on the ramp, she wrote: “He had given me an opportunity to close his fashion week show in Mumbai after spotting me in Bangalore at a fashion show and was gracious, kind & encouraging. He was one of the reasons I had the courage to move to Mumbai from Bangalore to pursue modelling when I was just 18 years old." Actress Diana Penty also credited Rodricks for introducing her to the world of fashion.
He has also made cameo appearance in the Bollywood movie Boom and the television show True West.
