Wendell Rodricks' demise: Anushka Sharma, Malaika Arora and others mourn the loss

On Wednesday night, celebrated fashion designer Wendell Rodricks passed away at his Goa residence. Aged 59, Wendell is believed to have succumbed to a heart attack. He was widely loved as not just a designer but an LGBTQ activist and a green crusader for his home town. Ever since the news of his sudden and untimely demise broke, tributes from Bollywood actors have been pouring in.

Actor Anushka Sharma shared a throwback photo of herself with the designer on a fashion ramp and wrote a note. "He had given me an opportunity to close his fashion week show in Mumbai after spotting me in Bangalore at a fashion show and was gracious, kind & encouraging. He was one of the reasons I had the courage to move to Mumbai from Bangalore to pursue modelling when I was just 18 years old," part of it reads.

 

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Woke up in NZ to the sad news of Wendell Rodricks having passed away in his sleep . He was one of the most iconic & original designers in fashion & A champion for LGBT rights . He had given me an opportunity to close his fashion week show in Mumbai after spotting me in Bangalore at a fashion show and was gracious, kind & encouraging. He was one of the reasons I had the courage to move to Mumbai from Bangalore to pursue modelling when I was just 18 years old . RIP Wendell ???? My love and prayers for Jerome and the rest of his family and friends ????

A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Feb 12, 2020 at 12:01pm PST

Malaika Arora also penned an emotional tribute for the late designer. “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," she wrote.

 

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A master couturier and his muse ♥️..... RIP ???? our dearest @wendellrodricks .... 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

A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial) on Feb 12, 2020 at 7:46am PST

Arjun Rampal, whose association with Wendell is an old one, mourned the loss. "It was such joy whenever I met him. His smile always made me smile...you will be missed Wendell," he wrote, sharing a black and white photo of the designer.

 

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This is such sad sad news, a beautiful human and such a talented designer, the fashion industry and the world has lost today. It was such joy whenever I met him. His smile always made me smile...you will be missed Wendell. #ripwendellrodricks

A post shared by Arjun (@rampal72) on Feb 12, 2020 at 7:11am PST

Diana Penty, in her Instagram post, called Wendell a "pioneer, a visionary and a legend".

 

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My dearest Wendell, I can’t believe you are no longer with us. Indian fashion has just lost a pioneer, a visionary and a legend. You were the force that introduced me to the world of fashion over 10 years ago... believing in me more than I did in myself. I will never forget those times. Will miss you dearly. RIP in paradise????????

A post shared by Diana Penty (@dianapenty) on Feb 12, 2020 at 9:46am PST

Others, including Madhur Bhandarkar, Neha Dhupia, Namrata Shirodkar, Evelyn Sharma also paid tributes to the designer on social media.

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

Wendell , I may have not know you well enough but all I know is that every time I saw you , you would always be smiling and your smile would light up the entire room... wherever you are may the angels always be with you ❤️ #gonetoosoon #RIPWendellRodricks pic.twitter.com/1gHzOnjyxC

— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) February 12, 2020

 

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We will miss you Wendell ❤❤❤ Sending u love n light. #RIP????

A post shared by Namrata Shirodkar (@namratashirodkar) on Feb 12, 2020 at 8:50am PST

 

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We will miss you Wendell ❤❤❤ Sending u love n light. #RIP????

A post shared by Namrata Shirodkar (@namratashirodkar) on Feb 12, 2020 at 8:50am PST

In 2014, Wendell was honoured with the Padma Shri. In 2015, he received the Chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et Lettres, a French honour. One of the first Indian designers to have participated in the IGEDO 1995, he will be remembered for promoting Indian fashion globally. He transformed his ancestral home in Goa, which is over 400 years old, to a museum which preserves Goan costumes, alongside, jewelries, statues and photos.

May his soul rest in peace.

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