Renowned fashion designer, activist Wendell Rodricks dies at Goa home

Renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks died at his residence in Colvale village in Goa on Wednesday, a police official said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mapusa, Gajanan Prabhudesai confirmed the death of Rodricks.

"The cause of his death is being ascertained and a police team has rushed to his residence for investigation," he said.

A Padma Shri awardee, Rodricks was also an author, environmentalist and gay rights activist.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane tweeted, "Deeply saddened to hear about the sudden demise of my very good friend and designer, Wendell Rodricks. His excellency in his work and skills are irreplaceable and shall always be cherished."

 

 

Deeply saddened to hear about the sudden demise of my very good friend and designer, Wendell Rodricks. His excellency in his work & skills are irreplaceable & shall always be cherished.

We will truly miss him. My heartfelt condolences to his family & dear ones. pic.twitter.com/CzRnQJjbxf

— VishwajitRane (@visrane) February 12, 2020

"We will truly miss him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones," Rane added in the tweet.

Recently, Rodricks was in the news for his comments on the gown Priyanka Chopra Jonas wore to this year’s Grammy awards. “@priyankachopra nailed it at the Grammys 2020. Truly the bold and beautiful in this @ralphandrusso couture fringed gown where the neckline goes all the way from LA to Cuba. Love it,” he posted on his Instagram page.

He later clarified: “For all those that said some really nasty things about me body shaming, here is my retort. Did I say anything about her body? No. Many women did. I just said the dress was wrong for her despite it being couture. It was more dress shaming than body shaming. Stop this sermon from high and read the post before you speak.”

Condolences poured in following news of Rodricks' death:

Shocked by the news of @Wendellrodricks' passing: https://t.co/W3CDCwo1va An original, a man of courage & conviction, a fashion icon & a social activist -- perhaps Heaven needed all those qualities in one man. RIP.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 12, 2020
 

We will miss Wendell Rodricks, a true friend to animals who had adopted community puppies, worked with PETA India by designing vegan outfits for our celebrity campaigns, and had won a vegan fashion award. Condolences to his family and friends.

Rest in Peace, Wendell

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) 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