Taking Goa to the world

Taking Goa to the world
Published on: May 20, 2010

NT NETWORK

Designer, Wendell Rodricks has become one of the first Indians to showcase his collection at Sweden in Gothenburg, recently. This was a unique platform for Wendell to present something new and yet Indian at heart. He was accompanied by designers–Neelanjana Ghose and Rahul Mishra.

For this show, three styles had to be portrayed—classical Indian style, a mix and a European-Indian style.
This event was not merely one where fashion statements are made but it was more than that. “This show was more of a cultural statement rather than plain fashion” says Wendell while speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’ about his experience.

Whenever anyone thinks of Indian designs abroad, there are some clichés involved with it, like royal costumes from Rajasthan or Bollywood themes or some heavy embroidery work. “I tried to show the experience that just can’t be seen. I wanted to show the spirituality of India. I also added Goan touches to it as most of my fabrics are flowing just like the waves on Goa’s beaches,” adds Rodricks.
The show received a good response from the people around. This show was produced by Aschan and Co. Rodricks confirmed that they have been further invited for another show in October. He is also preparing for the new season of the India Fashion Week that will commence from September.

Apart from promoting Indian fashion on a global arena, he is now busy with his work on the kunbi saree fabric which he is all set to redefine and promote on a greater scale. “With this kunbi saree fabric we had only stoles before. But now we are weaving 25 sarees with this fabric and also men’s shirts. We have also made it in the eco-friendly fabric” concludes Wendell who is all eager to give the Kunbi fabric a better and a bigger platform.

This fabric is woven entirely with pure cotton and dyed with subtle colouring extracted from guava leaves and rice kanjee mixed with iron filings. The Kunbi weave also has sea shells and wooden beads woven in the weft. Rodricks is hopeful that weaving becomes a part of the education system in Goa so that village women and young students can earn a livelihood from the same.

http://www.navhindtimes.in/ilive/taking-goa-world