Business is booming for the UAE's tailors as they benefit from a post-pandemic surge in demand ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
Garment makers across the country were hit hard by Covid-19 restrictions that began three years ago, which prompted 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 that residents are after this holiday season.
Eid is expected to begin next Friday if the Moon is sighted, with public holidays starting a day earlier across the country.
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.
Tailor-made for success
Tanveer Arif, owner of the Yellow Scarf — a tailoring shop that has been operating in Dubai's bustling Karama district since 2000, said that they are stitching 30 to 40 outfits each day, ranging from 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 ready-made outfits,” she said.
“Each customer is getting at least two to three items stitched for Eid. We have about 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 were some of the in-demand fabrics this season, with clients opting for pastel colours to go with the summer.
She said block prints are also selling fast this year 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.
Bouncing back
Abdul Hassan, owner of the Al Mubarekeya Tailor shop in Ajman, which makes kanduras, said they stopped taking orders a few days ago to complete the pending ones.
“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 we accepted days ago.
“At least four to 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.”
Over in Abu Dhabi, tailors are also racing against time to complete orders.
Antara Bhattacharya, owner of the Ideal Tailoring Shop, which has been operational in Al Zahiyah district since 1985, said that at least five to six new customers were coming in daily.
“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 had to close her other branch near Airport Road in 2020 because of how badly the Covid-19 pandemic affected the business, welcomed the rush of customers.
Eid 2022 celebrations in the UAE - in pictures
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Indika
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2011%20Bit%20Studios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Odd%20Meter%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%205%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36
Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3
Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3
SQUADS
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
