It may be traditional dress, but one UAE label is making the process of buying a kandura entirely modern.
Meemo, an Abu Dhabi-founded brand, gives shoppers the option of crafting a personalised, made-to-measure kandura online, without the need to visit a store.
The company, which first launched in 2019, was born from a desire to blend convenience with the quality of a custom-made fit.
"The kandura is a minimalist look, but there are things that can be done to personalise it, with more than just accessories," says brand representative Latifa Al Thawadi. "However, it was about letting men create their own signature look with kanduras that are based on quality with convenience."
The concept allows customers to choose everything from fabric to colour and texture, with every kandura made to order.
Shoppers can either send a kandura they like the fit of to Meemo for its tailors to copy, or choose for a stylist to visit their home for a helping hand or to advise on what customisations to opt for. Currently, however, the service is only limited to Abu Dhabi customers. A free swatch book can also be ordered online for shoppers to check out fabric samples, or measurements can be sent directly to the brand.
The kanduras come in two styles – the collarless, buttoned Arabic or the collared Kuwaiti with a pocket – and prices start from Dh275 for a simple design made with 100 per cent polyester. The multitude of hues vary from crisp whites through to greys, taupes and blues, with the option to add distinctive stitching, a tarboosh – a tie-like tassel – and monogramming.
Shipping is free for all orders, with delivery estimated to reach doors within four to six days.
"Meemo’s kanduras are ... designed to be a fashion masterpiece while individually standing out through our customers’ personalisation and preferences," says Al Thawadi.
All kanduras are made in Abu Dhabi, with tailors adhering to the government's safety protocols by wearing masks, gloves and regularly washing their hands.
Meemo also stocks a ready-to-wear range of ghutras, shemaghs, agals, ghafiyas, shorts, wizars and undershirts, and can tailor kanduras for men and boys.
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
SPECS
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Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
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- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
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Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
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Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
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