Born on May 28, 1960, Wendell Rodricks belonged to a Goan Catholic family. Raised in Mumbai, Wendell completed his schooling from St. Michael's High School in Mahim and later took a graduate diploma in catering. This picture was shared by Wendell on his Instagram account, from his Hotel Management days. He captioned it: "Hotel Management, Catering College days in Dadar, Bombay. One person missing here. We formed a group called Temptation at the annual college fair and did a roaring business selling tandoori style BBQ chicken. It was a huge success and the tradition continued after we graduated. Left to right: Anju, Rohinton, Veronica, Thomas, Khusroo, me, Roby, Khoj. Those were the days... [sic]"

Rodricks was known for creating designs that brought together the traditional with the relaxed Goan vibe. He was a Padma Shri awardee and a published writer with books such as Moda Goa - History and Style, his memoir The Green Room and Poskem: Goans in the Shadows.

Malaika Arora was Wendell's muse. Speaking to mid-day, after his demise, she said "It is shocking. I have lost a very close friend and the news is still sinking in. He was my son's [Arhaan] godfather and we had too many memories together. He has been instrumental in my career, especially when I had just started off. His belief in me gave me so much confidence to leap forward in my professional as well as personal life. He was like a brother to Amrita [Arora Ladak, sister] and me. It's beyond shocking for both of us. He's gone too soon."

Right from the beginning of his career, which roughly began in 1986, Wendell never employed a publicist. He was his best PR. As the social media game upped its momentum, Wendell was a voice you could not ignore.

From sharing his mother's prawn curry recipe, his trips with husband Jerome Marrel to faraway places, to posting images of his pets Freddy, Zoe and Zorba, and throwbacks to his blockbuster collections, his Instagram page is possibly the best version of a Wikipedia page, in pictures, that he has left behind.

"Getting into fashion, back in 1986, I quit my high-paying job in hotel management to study fashion," Wendall had said once, "It was the best decision."

Wendell Rodricks helped launch the career of Anushka Sharma after spotting her by chance in a Bengaluru mall and model Lisa Ray wore a gown designed by him for her wedding.

The ace fashion designer was instrumental in reviving heritage clothes of Goa such as the kunbi saree of the Kunbi tribals of Goa and also of bringing resort wear into the limelight.

The popular designer had written several books on Goa including showcasing his love for Goan heritage. He was said to have been working on his costume museum, the Moda Goa Museum that was slated to open to the public in Colvale in May 2020.

Rodricks was an A-list designer, who was also known as an activist for various social causes, the environment and gay rights.

The designer had also a cameo role in the film Boom in 2003 and in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion' starring Priyanka Chopra in 2008.

Wendell's funeral will be held at his ancestral village of Colvale on Thursday.

You will be truly missed, Wendell!