E-Paper
Wendell Rodricks
After last year's powerful show, Wendell Rodricks's Resort Collection 2005 didn't quite live up to expectations.
After last year's powerful show, Wendell Rodricks's Resort Collection 2005 didn't quite live up to expectations. Although he made a sincere effort to be 'different' this time by recreating a beach flea market on the ramp, the clothes in themselves were pretty average.
First the confusion - was this Fall/Winter? Spring/Summer? "It was his Resort Collection," said Yakuta Sarkari, PR person for Rodricks. To give the designer his due, the collection was definitely quite resort/beach-y. Inspired by the Ocean, there was lots of white and aqua in fabrics like cotton voile, pure silk and silk chiffon.
The models came out all at once talking amongst themselves as in strolling at the beach. Some of them displayed items from Rodricks new 'home' collection of bed and table linen. The mood was very laid-back and relaxed, if not a bit 'high'!
The first ensemble was a silk weave fish-fin blouse with a white faux-fur skirt. The hair was rather wild with lots of colourful feathers in them. "It was what I imagine a beach tribe to look like," said Wendell. The make up was subdued, with happy tanned faces and a bit of white eye-shadow.
Lots of skin showing but in classy cut-outs rather than an overt display of flesh - barring Iggy who showed off his 'package' in a fur thong!
How wearable was the collection? That's a very subjective question. Wendell obviously though it was extremely wearable, "It depends on your likes but I feel it was very wearable. I'm catering to the Indian customer - global markets don't really concern me," Rodricks said.
Taking a dig at some of the designer who claim to sell tonnes of their stuff abroad, Rodricks said, "I obviously don't want to sell just 200 garments but I don't want to be like those designers who sell minimal amount and talk big about it."
The Goa designer also didn't spare the 'Bollywood-brigade'. He claimed he wasn't interested in getting labelled as a Bollywood designer and showing at "some store" (obviously referring to the Bollywood extravaganza at Selfridges last year).
Showing support as usual was the gorgeous Malaika Arora Khan who seems to have lost a lot of weight recently. "I absolutely loved the show - I loved the colours and fabrics," she said. Although not stating it explicitly, Khan implied that last year's show was much more emotional. Last year Rodricks had used 'real people' instead of regular ramp models.
This year, however it was just regular ramp models except in the end, when in true Wendell style, a two year old walked the ramp.
A fairly breezy show with peace and happiness as its underlying message.
THE OTHER VIEW: Sea what I've designed!
Arati Thapa/HT City
The sea has always inspired Goan fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. The 'Oceanic,' his LIFW collection, was no different. He showcased aquamarine-shaded jackets, dhoti pants, silk satin wrap-overs, asymmetrical tunics, blue cowl jersey and knife-pleated dresses and skirts that looked wearable and stylish. There were printed lycra cocktail dresses accessorised with faux bags and shell necklaces.
The show was theatrical with the ramp replicating a marketplace with buying and selling in progress. The accessories were bags, chappals with fur, boots and headgear inspired by sea art.
Rate-o-meter
Wearability: 7
Presentation: 6
Front Row: Wendell's muse Malaika Arora, AD Singh with wife Sabina, Manish Arora
Buzz factor: 6
Late-o-meter: 15 minutes
