The Runway and Beyond

One of the biggest turning points in my life was when I left the hotel industry and took up fashion as a career in the ’80s. That’s when I went from dressing salads to dressing women,” points out designer Wendell Rodricks,adding that another big moment in his life was when he met the love of his life — Jerome Marrel — nearly 29 years ago.

“He’s been the strongest pillar of support in my life. Without him,there would have been no Wendell Rodricks,” he confesses. The designer is in a revelatory mood as he readies for the launch of his next book,titled The Green Room. Essentially a memoir,the book gives a candid and irreverent account of the man who introduced India to minimalism,stylish resort wear and eco-friendly fashion. At the same time,it also takes a scathing look at the Indian fashion industry (“No one belongs here except beautiful mannequins,make-up and hair armies,dressers culled from local fashion schools and the designer’s team”: reads a line from the book). It’s only fitting then that the book will be released on August 7 at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive ’12 in Mumbai,where he will also showcase his latest collection. “It’s a line that has a timeless appeal,” he says.