POST-COVID EID BRINGS BIG GAINS FOR TAILORS
▶ Garment makers hurry to do their stitching in time for the holiday as celebrations lead to surge in business
Business is booming for the UAE’s tailors as they benefit from a post-pandemic surge in demand for Eid Al Fitr.
Garment makers across the country were hit hard when Covid- 19 restrictions that began three years ago led to low-key celebrations of the religious festival that marks the end of Ramadan.
But with the Emirates preparing to mark its first Eid free of pandemic- related curbs since 2019, seamstresses and tailors are working overtime to put together the latest designs and trends for residents to wear during the holiday season.
Eid is expected to begin on Friday if the Moon is sighted, with public holidays starting a day earlier.
Dressing up in fine clothes is one of the beloved traditions of Eid Al Fitr, a period also marked by the exchanging of gifts and gatherings of friends and family.
Tanveer Arif, owner of Yellow Scarf Trading, a business that has been operating in Dubai’s bustling Karama district since 2000, said its tailors were making 30 to 40 outfits each day, including long dresses, shalwar kameez – traditional Pakistani and Indian wear – abayas and kaftans.
“This is the first year after Covid that has kept our tailors super busy with so much demand in stitching and readymade outfits,” she said.
“Each customer is getting at least two to three items stitched for Eid. We have two master cutters and four tailors, and our tailors are taking shifts during Ramadan to meet the requirements of our clients.”
Ms Arif said that chiffon, cotton and organza garments were in demand, with clients opting for pastel colours.
She said block prints were also selling fast, as residents try to make Eid more colourful this year.
“It is good to see that the fashion industry is back in full swing for this Eid and that the celebrations have doubled with amazing reviews from our lovely clients,” she said.
Tailors in Sharjah and Ajman are also reporting a busy period as people flock to shops to place orders for a custom-made Eid outfit.
Abdul Hassan, owner of Al Mubarekeya Tailor shop in Ajman, which makes kanduras, said he had to stop taking orders a few days ago to make sure that pending ones were completed. “Business was difficult during Covid times, but now there is high demand,” he said.
“We have stopped taking orders now and we are only sewing the ones that we accepted days ago.
“At least four or five people are coming in every day for new orders because Eid is only six days away now, so we are trying to complete the pending ones and then see if we can take new customers.”
In Abu Dhabi, tailors are also racing against time to complete orders.
Antara Bhattacharya, owner of the Ideal Tailoring Shop, which has been operating in Al Zahiyah district since 1985, said that at least five or six new customers were coming in each day.
“We are seeing many customers who want alterations to ready- made clothes they bought for Eid,” she said.
“A lot of the clothes are jalabiyas and we are also stitching new outfits with fabric the customers have bought for the holiday.”
Ms Bhattacharya, who was forced to close her other branch near Airport Road in 2020 because of how badly the coronavirus pandemic affected the business, welcomed the rush of customers.