The Goa-based designer known for his fine cuts and play of fabrics defined like none other that fashion was also about subtlety and showmanship. The stage was metamorphosed into a moonlit silvery beach with the deep blue sea in the backdrop and pinpricks of stars in the sky, welcoming the audience to behold the moment created by Wendell Rodricks.
Theme: In association with Fiama Di Wills, the designer presented the Age of Aquarius with a 'Rejuvenating Moonlight Beach' collection. As the night grew darker and moon rose high in the sky, a band of boys from Goa emerged into the scene strumming their guitars and humming sweet tunes transporting the audience to another world.
Following in their footsteps were girls dressed like angels from the sky in sheer whites, their hair let down in simple straight strands and wearing almost no-makeup tiptoed down the sandy beach, which was once the runway. Bathed in soft purple lights, the svelte forms of the girls stood out against the night sky while the crooners rendered a timeless feel to the overall atmosphere.
Collection and fabric: In celebration of the famed 70s, full moon, hippie beach parties of Goa, the designer showcased some interesting silhouettes in white alternated with pastel green and blue. Said Wendell, "I tried to bring the flavour of the rock years of the 60s and 70s. My line is a reflection of all the rock decadence of a very special period."
The collection unfolded in a manner similar to the blooming of a bud, revealing in the first round a white linen A-line dress with structured neckline, white linen and georgette beach dress with curved dart seam in aqua satin piping, and oversized white linen shirt with aqua collar lining and black pleat detail.
The dainty girls were followed by topless men in white and blue swimming trunks, bermudas, lungi wrap and beach trousers, carrying surf boards. The men's line had an interesting line up of gauze cotton V-neck shirt with sand linen beach pyjamas, linen and silk caustic stripe kurta shirts, aqua lime green and white beach pyjamas and bermudas, and linen waist coats.
Elaborating on the use of fabrics, the designer said, "I have used a lot of Malkha cotton as it trims down the cotton processing by as may as six procedures. The resulting organic cotton is eco-friendly, empowers villagers and has a unique feel and 'spring' to the fabric."
Hues and blues: Infusing the collection with high-voltage energy is a palette of whites, blues, magenta and black in a variety of cottons, linen and silk. As the night-time beach scene was played out, the music progressed from soft to melancholy to romantic. Simon & Garfunkel's Sound of Silence played in the background when darker hues like magenta and aubergine were being showcased.
Showstopper: Wendell got the best girls of the industry to walk for him, but the heart skipped a beat when Bollywood's own flower child, actress Deepika Padukone, strolled in wearing a moonlight white, bridal beach gown scattered with rose petal confetti and swirling butterflies, her charming smile in place.
She was a 'showstopper' in the real sense of the word. Soon after she was joined by the girls, followed by the band of boys, in what turned out to be one great beach party that had flying discs hurled at the audience while urging them to rise and join the jig. The music reached a crescendo as the audience, guests and buyers alike, stood up and sang along with them. In the midst of it, the designer, who deserved nothing less than a standing ovation, walked in and took his bow.
Post show, a beaming Deepika Padukone patiently answered questions on the collection, her favourite way of dressing, upcoming movies and on starring with ex-flame Ranbir Kapoor. For a moment, the designer seemed disconcerted in a crowd that wanted a closer look at the leggy beauty and grilled her furthermore on her Bollywood pursuits, rather than the show.
Glitzy front row: The night show ran to a packed house of audience made up of prospective buyers, fashionistas, page three people, and designers Rohit Bal and Rohit Gandhi among others.
Source:- The Times Of India