Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for men, women and children to wear their best attires. Men will don their favourite cara melayu while the women in their favourite baju kurung reflecting the latest fashion trend.
The rise of online shopping is borne out of decreasing time to think about custom-made outfits. However, finding the right fit can be a challenge, with online sellers vary wildly in terms of sizing.
When it comes to the Raya festivities, hiring a local tailor is still very much the preferred routes among locals, said Chin Yii, who has been making clothes for more than 15 years.
She said regular customers still go to her for their baju kurung, with some sending in their orders last December.
Chin also shared that she has stopped taking orders for fashionable designs, but is still accepting simple baju kurung, as she has 15 seamstresses to handle simple designs. She said until a few day before Raya, she and her staff will be working from 8am to midnight every day.
Meanwhile, tailor Mohamad Qayoom, has followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather in India.
He said he always had plans to work in Brunei as the country is known for being peaceful, adding that his brothers also worked as tailors in the country.
Having lived in the Sultanate for close to 30 years, he has accumulated a good list of regular customers, with some from the Tutong District , who depend on him for their festive outfits.
He said his regular customers sent their materials since two months ago, while the new ones make up of those who had been rejected by other tailor shops.
Even Mohamad Qayoom has been turning down customers.
Just like most tailors, he starts work at 7.30am everyday until midnight with no day-offs throughout the fasting month.
Although it is tiring, he said he is grateful for the business.
Meanwhile, fellow countryman Mohd Akram came to Brunei in 2001 and has gained a reputation among customers as the go-to tailor.
He said his regular customers has continued to support him even after he moved to a new shop in the capital. Mohd Akram said while the number of orders is lower this year, he still have his hands full to ready the clothes for Raya. – Lyna Mohamad
