Goan fashion designer Wendell Rodricks won much applause from media and celebrities at the Paris ‘Pret-a-Porter’ fair where he displayed the Goa Spa collection.

Showcasing an all white 41 ensemble collection Rodricks wowed the French and international media with his flowing style, yogic inspiration and total exploitation of the colour white. Using hand woven linens, polished cottons and fluid silks, the Wendell Rodricks Goa Spa collection was applauded at almost every garment, a big departure from the reserved French elite who are not effusive in praise for a collection.

Cheering front row for Wendell Rodricks were Indian Ambassador to France and his wife His Excellency Ranjan & Gita Mathai, Lakme Managing Director Anil Chopra, Goan Model Anjali Mendes, Princess Esther of Burundi, Investcorp’s Elizabeth Pires, the Director’s of Paris Pret-a-Porter salon and the international press. Later in the evening, the Indian Ambassador gave a special cocktail reception at his residence near the Eiffel tower. Over champagne and canapés in the splendid palace of the Indian ambassador’s, Wendell Rodricks was received and facilitated by the diplomatic corps and international business persons and industrialists. Said H.E. Rajan Mathai Indian Ambassador in France “Being from South India I was happy to see that Wendell Rodricks showed the world the spiritual India based on the temples and principles of yoga and ayurveda. Normally it is only the royal Maharajah style or Bollywood style of fashion that is shown. But Wendell has shown us all a new India based on its spiritual roots.”

From the opening Om chants to the finale song from fellow Goan ‘Remo Fernandes’ album India beyond, the sound track (mixed by D J Troy) and the garments of the Goa Spa collection by Wendell Rodricks had the audience spellbound.

The Paris Pret-a-Porter salon is the world’s biggest, controlling 80% of the world fashion budget (The balance 20% goes to the couture collections).

On the final day of the 5 day long fashion extravaganza Rodricks was signed on by a Paris based agent who will now represent The Wendell Rodricks labrl worldwide.

“I went expecting nothing” say an obviously content Rodricks. “But this agent was been a windfall. To be represented in Paris is a big deal. And to have a showroom based in the world capital of fashion, a dream come true.”

Departing from the norm, and on advice from the Paris agent, the Wendell Rodricks cloths will be tagged “Mae in Goa” and features 3 colour ways: “Mer de Goa”, “Terre de Goa” and “soleil de Goa” (Sea, Earth and Sun of Goa.) Blue, laterite and yellow… quite like the colours used for Goan homes inspired by sea, earth and sun.

Expect to see the Wendell Rodricks made in Goa label worldwide on fashion racks in spring/summer 2008 when the clothes from the Goa Spa collection will go on display for sale.

For now, the Wendell Rodricks Goa Spa collection will be displayed at Bryant Park, New York to celebrate 60 years of Indian Independence on 24th and 25th September 2007. The Ministry of Tourism, India and the Confederation of Indian Industries have invited three designers to New York for this event: Ritu Kumar, Raghuvendra Rathore & Wendell Rodricks.