Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:10:47 +0000

3. Taxxi & Vitamin K Store

When Taxxi met Vitamin K, there was instant chemistry. The brands were different enough to have their own identities (Taxxi’s wearable day-to-night dresses never clashed with Vitamin K’s statement accessories), yet similar enough to want to move in together. "And that’s our USP -- two separate but co-existing vibes in one retail space," say the owners. Formerly copywriters, Taxxi’s Aarti Nichlani and Prachi Rashmi go beyond their popular flower chappals and sheath dresses to customize and wardrobe consult. "Recently, an old client from Dubai called to say she wanted ten dresses and hung up the phone. She didn’t even ask to see design sketches or fabric swatches! Our customers have come to trust us blindly," says Rashmi. Karishma Shanbhag of Vitamin K too, stretches herself to meet client needs. "Requests for modified laptop bags with additional pockets for make-up, a crazy clutch bag with someone’s name written half in Hindi and half in English -- I enjoy adding customers’ quirky layers to my designs," says the JJ School of Art graduate. They took bespoke it to another level this January, hosting the Recycle Fashion Workshop to to transforms your old threads (including duppattas and saris even) into custom-made new clothes and bags. 

Taxxi & Vitamin K Store, 3 and 4 Kusum Kunj, next to Mango, Linking Road, Khar (W); tel. +91 (0) 22 6522 9200

In 1999 after a long life of unhappiness and strife, I finally recognized that I needed Jesus. I asked for salvation, and my life began to change from that very moment on.Since then, I have experienced many wonderful and life altering events. I now know why I was created, and what my purpose is.Oh, don't get me wrong....I have experienced some difficulties since then, and my life certainly hasn't been with out problems or heart ache, and even illness.But the promise we have in Jesus Christ is forgiveness of sin, eternal life in Heaven, that He will be with us while we are here on earth, through our problems, and never leave us.As a young girl in high school, I had an English teacher who would ask us often in class...." Why are we here?"Now, I look back, and realize that he probably wasn't asking the question as much for us to answer, as he was asking it to see if any of us could help him in discovering the answer for his own life.But, I too wondered as I grew older. As a 15 year old girl, I didn't seem to care about that question, or the answer.I have a strong sense of purpose now, however, and I see His divine plan in my life. Even though I did all I could unwittingly, to sabotage it for years with poor decisions and life altering mistakes!But, He is a God of second chances! And He gave me a lot more than two chances to get it right, thankfully! In fact, He is still working with me on getting it right!I finally became so broken, that I could only look up from the bottom of that barrel that I was in, and I finally humbled myself to ask Jesus to come and save me.Then, all became more clear as each day passed.I see that He has given me these abilities and talents to use for His purpose. I feel more strongly each day that it is through my art that I am to deliver His message of salvation.He has opened doors for me, over and over again, and brought opportunities for me to have success even before I came to know Him and have a relationship with Him.My art work and design, is to be used for His glory, and to connect me with others.Of course, I don't have all the answers to this, He is also a great mystery, and we aren't to know all of His plan.But, I feel strongly, and deeply, that I am a messenger for His Word, and that He is using my gifts for that purpose.How will this be? Of course, I do not know all the answers to that either.It unfolds itself day by day. He gives me more and more ideas, and the courage to speak out and share.When the time is right, I will share more of what He has given me for what I believe is my purpose in Him.Thank you for being on this journey with me, and remember to pray for others who do not have the Lord and Christ Jesus as their Savior.Much love, Cindy