Master of minimalism and the patron of island dressing, the ace designer breathes the DNA of a fabric. From food catering to design - this Goan has come a long way. Meet Wendell Rodricks. Recently in Bangalore for a men’s fashion event, Metrolife caught up with this purist over a conversation on his passion for fashion.

Bangalore’s FQ....

South Indian aesthetics go beautifully with my design interpretation. Bangalore is a distinct market as you have to address to both petite and the well-endowed women.

Designing men’s wear...

Indian men’s wear usually means sherwanis and jackets. In my collection, you will not find a single jacket. There are front-open kurtas, wrap skirts, beach pants and tops. With soft-feel fabrics like silks and polished cottons, it’s like you are not wearing anything at all!

It’s a unisex collection and will effectively cater to Bangalore, which has a large expatriate population with big-built women, who often land up buying from men’s section. We want to erase the boundary of sexes.

Embroidery fetish in India...

I appreciate embroidery but too much is happening with it in India. I want to be away from the herd. I have the creative intelligence to play with fabrics and cuts.

Innumerable fashion weeks....

Yes, there is a bit of confusion as our showcases are always fashion - forward. Unconsciously, Indians are following trends. At least, they know that pastels are for summer and muted shades for winter.

India on the international map...

India is very individualistic. We are not trapped by stereotype. It’s so boring at international fashion weeks with their pant, skirt, blouse and top in the same old cuts and dull colours. India can never stop amazing the world, especially with her colours.

Only Indian women have carried on a legacy that is 6000 years old - the saree. The traditional attire is not restricted to ceremonies like in Malaysia or Thailand. We have given the world indigo colour, used extensively for their staple uniform - jeans. We have been a strong factor in influencing world fashion. India is a fascinating symbiosis of past and present.

Changing trend in fashion...

Actress Kajol’s sister, Tanisha, once really got me thinking. She recalled that when she was in sixth standard, Kajol entered filmdom and her friends found it “tacky”.

When in eighth standard, those same friends were somewhat appreciative of Kajol. And finally in tenth standard, her friends were in awe of her sister’s superstardom. So is with the fashion industry. When my design career started, we were looked upon with suspicion.

With fashion weeks, we got serious response. This year, I was invited to participate in the 60th celebration of Indian independence in New York. Such occasions usually involved Bharatnatyam recitals! Today fashion and Bollywood are an integral part of Indian culture.

First reaction to professional choice....

I kickstarted my career as a food caterer for six years. Then I took to fashion. My mother ridiculed me by saying - “From one Goan profession to another - cook to a tailor.” I am having the last laugh.

On statements like fashion is frivolous...

Are these people wearing clothes? (laughs) Fashion may sound elitist but it percolates down to the masses, including the ‘intelligentsia’. Thanks to the media, the industry has gained much publicity. You see fashion specials.

Most advertisements come from fashion. Fashion touches all lives and we must respect it. 

Bollywood projects...

I dressed Bipasha Basu for ‘Jism’. Had I been chosen, I believe I could have done a much better job on ‘Asoka’.
I would love to work with a film-maker like Shyam Benegal. I would like to change the way item girls look, including my close friend Malaika Arora.

Why does everything have to be sequinned! I challenge to dress them up beautifully without a single sequin. I want to do something that is more cerebral rather than frivolous flounce.

Qualities to become a designer...

You have to give something new. You should be able to stand next to Chanel and say that’s mine. You should look at design with a sense of responsibility to public rather than money.

You should love fabric and costume history, love the process of transforming a piece of flat fabric into a garment. My first three collections bombed because there was not a single sequin. So, you need to be persistent.

Future of Indian fashion...

In the next 25 years, we will have no lower-middle class. We have a moving economy. It’s a good time to be in Indian fashion.

Ten years from now...

I will be in fashion and will surely write a book.