Fashion boutiques sew up profits as Raya business booms again

BUTTERWORTH – The Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season has always been a time when tailors nationwide could make a killing, with monthly revenue potentially increasing tenfold.

However, the various movement control orders (MCOs) implemented by the government over the past two years to combat the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted their usual windfall.

To control the spread of the virus, Putrajaya had curtailed celebrations and limited traditional house-to-house visits to only immediate family members residing within a stipulated distance.

However, this year’s Raya has been a boon to those in the fashion industry, as folks far and wide made a beeline to tailors to “glam up” once more and celebrate in new outfits, as daily life begins to return to normal following the national transition into the endemic phase.

Sutera Mentari boutique owner Rozlina Abdul Latif, 45, said she breathed a sigh of relief when she received many orders for Raya, especially after the government announced the start of the transition phase on April 1.

“Before April, many of my customers were still careful to send orders as they were worried there would be no Hari Raya celebration.

“But after the government announced the transition phase, I received many orders and had to close bookings early,” said Rozlina, who received nearly 100 bookings this year, compared with less than 50 bookings last year.

This means that Rozlina, whose prices start at RM50 per outfit, depending on the design and size, could easily make a minimum of RM5,000 this Raya season.

During the first MCO two years ago, the tailor, whose clientele is mainly made up of the B40 income class, had to sell hijab sewn by herself as a backup business plan, which she marketed online.

She said she was surprised when her custom-made hijab received a very encouraging response, and to this day she continues selling them as a side business.

At first, I just wanted to try the business of selling hijab, but until now it is still in demand from customers. This is the wisdom of MCO.”

Sharing the same experience, tailor Mohd Redzuan Abdul Aziz, 37, said orders for Raya clothing at his shop opened at the end of December last year and closed in early April, as within four months all orders were full.

His business at Penang Bazaar in George Town had received bookings from various age groups, and the majority of his customers were made up of individuals who ordered around three to four sets of baju Melayu each.

“There are also many orders for the whole family. They are excited to be able to celebrate Syawal with their families, after two years of not being able to do so,” said the tailor who began sewing baju Melayu in his teenage years.

Redzuan, who is continuing the legacy of the business originally run by his father and grandfather, said there were still customers who contacted him to have their festive outfits made, even though bookings were already closed.

“This year, I received 50 to 60 pairs of orders that need to be completed, with the help of two employees. Last year, I only received less than 10 orders.

“I consider this year as our sustenance. There are also last-minute bookings that I cannot refuse, for example from my loyal customers,” he said.

Redzuan, who charges upwards of RM150 for children’s outfits and RM300 for adults, caters mainly to the M40 income group.

Meanwhile, well-known fashion designer to T20 clientele, Alia Bastamam, also said she had received an encouraging number of orders, especially for events like open houses, which many are organising to celebrate Raya this year.

“For both our brands (Alia Bastamam and Alia B), we’re definitely seeing an increase in sales – online and in store – especially now that we can celebrate Raya like we did pre-pandemic,” she said when contacted recently.

However, customers are more careful with their spending and we find that they shop specifically and less impulsively.”

Alia said she was also grateful that her regular customers still came to make reservations to support her business, as well as when new customers wanted to try on her designer clothes.

The renowned tailor’s Alia B collection’s prices start at RM350, and for her bespoke work, prices start at RM980. – The Vibes, May 4, 2022