Resorting to Nirvana: Wendell Rodricks’ collection was a soothing balm for the eyes

Designer Wendell Rodricks takes a bow alongside models in his Spring-Summer collection.

That designer Wendell Rodricks’ Spring-Summer 2015 presentation on Saturday night was not hostage to the vagaries of the Karva Chauth moon came as a welcome relief. The show, which began only 15 minutes behind schedule — a commendable feat in comparison to some of the last shows on previous days, which took our time and patience for granted — was a soothing balm for the eyes as well as the soul.

After the surfeit of sequins and the blinding shimmer of gold we’d been subjected to at an earlier time slot, Rodricks’ collection “Yoga Calm” was like a veritable oasis. The Goa-based guru of resortwear, in association with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, presented a show where the fabrics used were the real stars. Gauze linen, Kerala cotton, Malkha cotton, georgette, crepe and satin silk, all in pristine white, covered deceptively simple silhouettes.

From crinkle organza stoles, corset-inspired tunics and bias cut dresses with inserted panels, to satin silk cocktail dresses with looped panels, pleated cocktail jumpsuits and triple layer georgette dresses with concentric square cut-outs — the gamut cleverly alternated between casual wear and celebratory resortwear. The crowning glory came in the form of some gauze linen saris with pintucks and ‘puttees’ —  an austere, yet eye-catching, rendition of the six-yard splendour. The only jarring notes in an otherwise soothing symphony were the shiny lycra bits in the form of swimwear, that looked discordant under the unforgiving arc lights.

Yet, the rest of the garments whispered. Rodricks reminded us, once again, that sometimes simplicity speaks louder than flamboyance.