Pretty Woman, Walking Down the Street

Ok, today is another Monday filled with very serious errands to do : go to the bank to give the Head Manager some details as to how things are going for us in terms of the registration of the company, ask him if in his clients he knows some textile manufacturers and go check out a clothing store Uma had recommended to us.

We won't even ask about internet.

As always, since our arrival, M. Mouli (the Bank's Head Manager) gives us precious information as to whom we may be able to contact in the textile business. We are to meet with him again on Wednesday so that he can give us the necessary phone numbers and names. In any case, it becomes more and more apparent that we will have to travel up north, to Kannur (Kerala), Madras and Bangalore if we want to see how the fabrics our made.

Next stop, "Ethnic Weaves", brand new fabric store that is supposed to have it all. It certainly comes very close. The store has two sides : one is comprised of textiles that are sold as Dupattas (shawls) and that can be made into shirts or tops. The other one deals with sarees and fabric to make three piece suits (top, pants and shawl). Marie and I are floored by the beauty of the textiles : raw silk, jude silk, cotton, pashmina, plain color, block imprints, weaves, etc...Marie does not resist and buys herself four beautiful shawls.

During our exploration of this wondrous land, we are approached by a very fashionable woman. It turns out that Frida (that is her name) is the owner of the store. Ensues a conversation where we briefly explain to her that we are also here to start a line of clothing. At that point, something absolutely incredible happens, Friday tells us it might be interesting if we worked together with her. What an amazing thing to have thought and to have said. Of course, Marie and I immediately see and understand the implications such a partnership might have and, as we move on to the next store, where we discover more beautiful fabrics, we completely forget Frida and plunge into the world of clothes.

And for the first time since our arrival, we decide to have outfits made (there is a tailor at the shop, of course).

Like Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman", Marie and I spend hours chosing our fabric, posing and giggling with delight, feeling like true "ladies".