Rekha is a fashion icon since the 1970s, says National award-winning designer Wendell Rodricks, who paid homage to the “evergreen star” through his collection titled ‘Yoga Calm’ on the fourth day of the ongoing spring/summer edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) in New Delhi on Saturday.
“Rekha is dear friend. She is a sister and we share a common philosophy of yoga, positivity and our love for the colour white. Keeping all this is mind, I dedicated the collection to her,” Rodricks said.
Rekha, who has worked in over 150 films across four decades of filmdom, turned 60 recently.
Asked why she was not a part of the show, the designer added: “I would have loved if she had walked the ramp, but she is shy of walking at an India Fashion Week. Rekha has been a fashion icon since the ’70s and with this collection, it is my homage to an evergreen star on the start of her 60th birthday.”
Presented by the union textiles ministry, the show was inspired by calm, inner peace and health benefits of yoga. This was evident in the outfits that used white in a variety of shapes, cuts and forms, both in menswear and womenswear.
“We have used a lot of hand-woven textiles but in a more minimalist, Gandhian way. I have concentrated on a calm beauty without a single bead, sequin or pearl. It is the closest to a harmony between textile and minimalism,” Rodricks said.
“Every single garment was wearable, even the swimwear. I am not known to go for drama and excess. Instead, I want to give Indian women and men real clothes that are archival, wearable, comfortable and make them look slimmer, taller and make them feel beautiful,” he added.
From long-sleeved 1960s-inspired trousers from Kerala, crinkled organza stoles to gauze linen shift dresses with satin silk stripes, the designer remained true to his signature style by mixing Indian handlooms with modern designs.
Rodricks thanked the government for promoting Indian handloom by tying up with Fashion Week.
“It is always good when an industry gets government support. I am delighted that they chose me to endorse Indian textiles and I am grateful to both the ministry of textiles and FDCI [Fashion Design Council of India] for stepping forward and giving this opportunity to Indian fashion,” he said.
