From France To China: UAE-Made Emirati Kanduras High In Demand For Eid Here's Why

Muhammed Nawaz starts his day at 10am with piles of fabric stacked on his cutting table, each bundle sorted by his assistant with customers' measurements.

Picking up a measurement paper, he marks the fabric with a tailor's chalk and carefully cuts each piece to precise specifications. By the time its Dhuhr prayer, he has already cut nearly 20 kanduras, which are then dispatched to the workshop for stitching.

Nawaz, a master cutter at Rukn Aldoblomasi, has been working round the clock this Ramadan to fulfill a surge in demand, particularly for Emirati kanduras.“The orders have been huge this year. A few days ago, our client from France, the UK, and Comoros brought many bundles of fabric, and we have to deliver in the next two days. His order alone is over 600 kanduras,” he said.

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This massive order, combined with the growing international and local demand for Eid, has kept Nawaz and his team in an intense production cycle. On average, his shop cuts and stitches over 350 kanduras daily, with three master cutters working tirelessly.“During Ramadan, I personally cut more than 120 kanduras each day. The tailors stitch them overnight, ensuring delivery by the next afternoon,” he added.

Abdul Salam, a resident of London, who placed a bulk order for kanduras to be delivered to France and the UK, said that the demand for Emirati kanduras has been growing rapidly in Europe, especially among people who appreciate traditional craftsmanship.“I have clients in both London, Paris and many parts of Europe, who specifically request the Emirati design for its elegance and minimalistic embroidery,” said Salam.

“This year, I decided to place a large order before Eid to cater to this increasing demand. The quality and craftsmanship from the UAE are great and my clients specifically prefer UAE made garments.”

The Emirati kandura, known for its precise stitching and minimalist designed now have an added feature, which is the elegant embroidery on the chest. It remains the most sought-after style.“It's an art, a craftsmanship,” Nawaz said.“Nowadays, many prefer embroidery on the chest, giving it a subtle, sophisticated look.”

However, crafting an Emirati kandura is time-consuming, while a tailor can stitch 14 regular kanduras in a day,“they can complete only six Emirati ones due to the precision involved.”

While the Emirati kandura remains the most in-demand, other styles like the Saudi and Kuwaiti versions are also preferred, particularly by expats residing in the UAE and abroad.

Shameem Khan, a tailor based in Rolla, Sharjah, has also been pushing hard to fulfill the overwhelming number of orders this Ramadan.“One tailor fell sick, and our entire production was shaken. We stopped accepting new orders after the first 10 days of Ramadan,” he said, explaining how they carefully calculate how many kanduras each tailor can stitch before committing to an order.

Khan begins his work at 9am, taking orders, coordinating with customers, and checking the progress of his tailors. After noon, he joins his team in the workshop, cutting fabric and assisting with quality control. By late evening, he inspects the finished kanduras before dispatching them.

“It's non-stop work,” he said.“Some days, I don't even get time for a proper meal. But this is our busiest season, and we have to deliver on time.”

One of his biggest surprises came when he accidentally met a Chinese businessman in the market.“He ordered over a 200 kanduras to take to China and Malaysia for sale. I have to deliver them by March 25. Half of the order is fulfilled, and now we have nearly 80 more to stitch,” said Khan.

“A single delay can affect multiple clients. And if one tailor falls sick, the entire production slows down,” said Khan.

Kandura makers agree that this year's demand has been exceptionally high.“I am unable to understand why, but it's all Allah's blessings,” Nawaz said.

With Eid around the corner, these skilled craftsmen are racing against time, ensuring that customers, both local and international, receive their perfectly tailored kanduras just in time for the festivities.

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