Tailoring establishments across the United Arab Emirates are displaying ‘No More Orders’ signs unusually early this season, indicating an unprecedented surge in demand for custom Eid Al Fitr garments. With approximately 50 days remaining until the holiday, many shops have already closed their order books due to overwhelming demand for intricate women’s festive wear.
The early closure phenomenon stems from the complex nature of traditional Eid dresses, which require extensive craftsmanship including detailed embroidery, fabric manipulation, and multi-layer construction. Naseem Ahmed, proprietor of Al Musabba Fine Tailoring in Sharjah’s Rolla district, explains that sophisticated designs can consume three or more full days of skilled labor, with hand embroidery alone requiring over five days per garment.
In Dubai’s Naif area, Diplomacy Tailors representative Nawaz Khan emphasizes that pattern creation, cutting, fitting, and finishing processes cannot be rushed without compromising quality. Many tailoring businesses have implemented proactive strategies, including contacting regular clients weeks in advance to secure orders before January 15th.
The demand surge has extended to abaya retailers as well. Syed Ali, master cutter at Mirdif’s Abaya Mall, reports that designed Eid abayas with special embellishments now require ordering well before Ramadan. Some establishments have even initiated home visitation services for valued customers to accommodate their busy schedules.
Multiple factors contribute to the early order closures: limited availability of skilled artisans, reduced working hours during Ramadan, and exceptionally high seasonal demand. Tailors unanimously agree that early order termination ensures quality preservation and prevents customer disappointment, as the intricate craftsmanship involved cannot be accelerated without compromising the final product’s excellence.