Ace fashion designer Wendell Rodricks’ death came as a rude shock for everyone including TV and Bollywood celebs. Sona Mohapatra, Nimrat Kaur, Poonam Dhillon, Union Cabinet Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Irani, Madhur Bhandarkar, Neha Dhupia, Onir, Shaina NC, Shruti Seth, Soni Razdan, Ashley Rebello and several others paid tributes to him.
Rodricks was 59-years old and passed away at his home in Goa. He was one of the first Indians to openly come out as gay and was a vocal activist for the LGBTQ community. Rodricks made headlines recently, after his comments about Priyanka Chopra being too old to wear certain kinds of clothes were met with divided reactions. Check out some of the tributes of the film and fashion fraternity.
NO. @Wendellrodricks
Trying to call you. Pick up.— SONA (@sonamohapatra) February 12, 2020
Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Wendell Rodricks, one of India’s most renowned designers. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) February 12, 2020
Full of love. Full of life. All heart. All soul. A connoisseur. A creator. A pioneer. A change-maker. I feel lucky having known you. @Wendellrodricks you will remain in my heart forever. Refuse to see you any other way than that afternoon we spent in your glorious home in Goa. pic.twitter.com/06959BjXeD
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) February 12, 2020
Greatly admired and was in awe of his work even before I understood anything about style and garment design. May he rest in peace. Condolences and prayers to the family and all his loved ones. The fashion world lost a cornerstone today...#RIPWendellRodricks https://t.co/5GUetNcNV0
— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) February 12, 2020
Very sad to learn about passing of designer @Wendellrodricks .He was not only a talented designer but always generously contributed to good causes whenever opportunity came.I personally know that as he contributed garments to @maddadthehelpinghand Condolences to family & friends
— Poonam Dhillon (@poonamdhillon) February 12, 2020
Farewell ! Always true to your heart.
The baton was passed on...
The label lives!
What a beautiful legacy...@Wendellrodricks #wendellrodricks pic.twitter.com/A7o5VDvli0— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) February 12, 2020
So shocked to hear this? What? How? https://t.co/444OJCeZs0
— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) February 12, 2020
Unbelievable ! To the man who showed us how less is more ! You were class apart in everything you did. Rest In Peace @Wendellrodricks
— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) February 12, 2020
Really sad to hear about the passing of Wendell Rodricks fashion designer activist , a son of Goa and a wonderful human being
— Ehsaan Noorani (@EhsaanNoorani) February 12, 2020
Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks,
My heartfelt condolences to his family & dear ones. We will truly miss him. RIP pic.twitter.com/1aEAbMzyMS— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) February 12, 2020
Shocked and heartbroken. Much too young to go like this. Just can’t believe it. #WendellRodricks
— Soni Razdan (@Soni_Razdan) February 12, 2020
What!!!! OMG!!!! This is just shocking and so so sad
RIP @Wendellrodricks https://t.co/xsBoLbCoAI— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) February 12, 2020
Losing one of the finest designers and human beings of our industry @Wendellrodricks is extremely painful. #rip #wendell. Your legacy will be remembered by all Of #Goa and the entire fashion fraternity..from our entire family god bless. @ANI @timesofindia @FeminaIndia @VOGUEIndia pic.twitter.com/9iuycS0kMY
— Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) February 12, 2020
Absolutely shocked and heartbroken to hear about my friend @Wendellrodricks sudden demise . Sad that this happens when he was about to open his dream project .... the museum of costumes in Goa . Loving and warm .. will always cherish the week I spend with him this nov in Goa . pic.twitter.com/vZgyqiIOyJ
— Onir (@IamOnir) February 12, 2020
Wendell Rodricks was a Padma Shri awardee and had received the fourth-highest civilian award in 2014. He began his career in fashion by designing for Garden Vareli, Lakmé Cosmetics and DeBeers. He was homosexual and married Jerome Marrel in a civil ceremony in Paris in 2002.
(Source: Twitter/Instagram)