Pimp my ride: Mumbai taxis are transformed and given creative makeovers

By Kanika Dhupar @Kanika_Kd

INDIAN taxis have been given an arty makeover - with colourful designs covering the inside of the vehicle

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Taxi Fabric was launched in April 2015 and has since been working to brighten up some of the 55,000 taxis in Mumbai
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The project hopes to raise the profile of design as a profession in India, where it is still not widely recognised

These amazing creations are the work of Mumbai based art collective Taxi Fabric, which aims to connect young designers with taxi drivers.

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The project is run by Sanket Avlani and three other co-founders who work out of London and Mumbai

The project received global attention when supergroup Coldplay approached them about using one of the distinctive cars in their video for track Hymn for the Weekend.

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The project received global attention when supergroup Coldplay approached them about using one of the distinctive cars in their video

Inspirations behind some of the works include Mumbai's Juhu Chowpatty beach and the city's ubiquitous delivery men, known as dabbawalas.

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The unique designs cover almost every inch of the cabs’ interiors, transporting passengers to their destinations in a kaleidoscope of colour

Art director Sanket Avlani, who started the project last year with three fellow co-founders Nathalie Gordon, Mahak Malik, & Girish Narayandass, explained that Taxi Fabric brightens up Mumbai's normally drab taxis while also promoting the city's undervalued creative talent.

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So far Taxi Fabric has produced over 26 new interiors, ranging from vibrant patterns to mock-classical art

He said: “Although taxi drivers pay a lot of attention to do up their vehicles and make them stand out from others, very little thought is given to the fabric used on the seats.

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The founders are thinking of extending it to other Indian cities

“The designs that cover the taxi seats are often dull and forgettable, but with the design talent Mumbai has to offer, this shouldn’t be the case.

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The designers are encouraged to speak to the driver they are designing for to develop a relationship

"The designers are local, the styles are inspired from all around the world, but the topic is still Mumbai.”

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During the fitting process the colourful fabric is applied to the seats, door panels and ceilings of the cab

Last summer, the project was able to raise over £11,000 through Kickstarter and is now hoping to expand to other cities in India.

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Last summer, the project was able to raise £12,000 through Kickstarter and is now hoping to expand to other cities in India
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Taxi Fabric revamps one new cab each week and even plans to work on buses and underground subways in the future

Taxi Fabric also plans to redesign buses, trains and underground subways and is inviting creatives from all over India to participate in the project.

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After the design has been finalised, they are printed and fitted in the taxi, with a label carrying information about the designer