The light rain did not linger for long, but Wendell Rodricks' latest bold collection certainly raised the temperature of Goa when the ace designer closed the three-day Gionee India Beach Fashion Week (GIBFW) 2015.
A large number of fashionistas turned up to attend the beach-side show at The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort Goa on Saturday. Though they had to wait for an extra hour, battle flying insects and struggle their way to reach their designated seats, once the show started all the complaints were kept aside.
All eyes were on the ramp especially when four male models got on the stage together and removed their robes then walked only in colourful swim trunks.
But that was not the end of his menswear segment. There were more models who mostly hit the runway sans shirt highlighting their six pack abs.
The menswear featured collarless jackets, fluid trousers, pants with side flaps and pleated trousers with side fins.
"I really enjoyed doing the menswear because it was very different. It was breezy and very Goa. I don't normally do such creative menswear, but I really put my heart into it," Rodricks told IANS.
The womenswear from the "Ahead of the Curve" collection, which comprised ensembles in various hues like indigo, white, black, mint, magenta, peach and blue, was equally breezy.
There were ponchos, layered sleeve tops, long-sleeved shirts with curved accents, balloon pants and much more.
Amidst all the western pieces, he made sure to include a few saris in his new collection, which consisted of garments that celebrate the curved line on hems, silhouette and more.
In fact, the final piece from the collection was a sari gown.
"It is an important piece. We sent out two saris before that. I thought that the last one shouldn't be a sari, but it was a sari go wn. It was a difficult gown to do," he said.
Ahead of the Curve' was accessorised with neckwear, bracel ets and rings that were handmade in Goa with beads and nylon thread by Kim.
"This girl was absolutely fabulous. Kim came to us. Her jewellery w as intricately done. I thought let's do something with it. My clothes were simple enough to take the jewellery. We are also doing a special promotion at our shop in December where she will show her jewellery, he said.
But as of now, he is glad that his grand finale show went off well.
(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Gionee India Beach Fashion Week. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)
