Wendell Rodricks passes away: Rare photos of the designer

In what has come as a shock to the fashion industry, celebrated designer Wendell Rodricks passed away at his Goa home on February 12. Schulen Fernandes, Creative Director for Wendell Rodricks label shared the shocking news on Instagram. “Darkest day today. I’m numb with deep sorrow and the loss of the dearest one. He should still be here. With us. Here’s what I must say, while I find the strength to speak very little. Wendell passed away today at 5 pm in his sleep. In his home, his sanctuary. Surrounded by the love of the familiar. (Let all other theories be put to rest. Period.) Stay with the man if you must in his legacy and play ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ in fond remembrance,” Fernandes wrote on Instagram. As we remember the man who brought a new aesthetic to design and remained a long-standing vocal advocate of environment issues, here are some pictures of him in various moods: surrounded by models on the ramp and other times sitting all by himself. (Express photo by Renuka Puri.)

Born on May 28, 1960, the designer hailed from Goa. (Express Archive)

The designer brought forth and in a way championed minimalism. (Express photo by Sumit Malhotra)

Rodricks was also instrumental in conceiving the first Lakme India Fashion Week, held way back in 2000. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Rodricks always spoke on environmental issues as well as gay rights. (Express Photo By Pradip Das)

Wendell Rodricks was awarded with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2014. (Express Photo By Amit Mehra)

After news of his demise was known, obituaries poured in from all quarters. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

Over the years, several actors walked the ramp for him. (Express photo by Oinam Anand)

Malaika Arora, expressed her grief and wrote, "I first sat n cried , n then I sat alone n smiled n laughed , jus thinkin of all the beautiful beautiful memories n moments we shared. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)

The Fashion Design Council of India shared on Instagram, “Disheartened with the sudden and untimely demise of one of the country’s iconic designer, Wendell Rodricks. The fashion fraternity lost a legend today. Wendell, we will miss you.” (Express Photo By Dilip Kagda)

The designer was also conferred upon with the Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’Ordre National dea Arts et des Lettres) by the government of France. (Express Archive)

Wendell Rodricks leaves behind a legacy difficult to match. (Express Archive)