Tailors in Kaduna State say they are experiencing a boost in patronage ahead the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebration. The tailors spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna Monday. They attributed the development to the people’s culture of having to wear new clothes during the celebration.

A NAN correspondent, who visited several tailoring shops reports that many were fully engaged. It was also learnt that some of them had stopped accepting new clothes due to the heavy workload before them. Mallam Aliyu Usman said he had suspended taking new materials in order to be able to meet delivery deadlines for his customers. Usman explained that customers, who brought their clothes early, were more likely to get them before Sallah. “We usually advise our regular customers to bring their materials in time because once the rush period comes, it becomes difficult to take more,” he said.

Mrs Fatima Idris said that demand for women and children’s outfits had risen significantly. According to her, some customers bring multiple fabrics, including Ankara, lace and brocade, for different styles, and noted that the increase in patronage had compelled her to engage additional hands to meet deadlines. She further said that sewing charges had also increased, due to the rising cost of tailoring materials and accessories.

Idris also disclosed that simple gowns and skirts currently attract between N8,000 and N15,000, while heavily designed outfits cost between N20,000 and N35,000 to sew, depending on the style and fabric.

A fashion designer, Abdulganiyu Rayyan, who specializes in male and female attire, said he could only attend to customers, who could make part-payment before work would commence. Rayyan attributed the measure to the hike in the price of tailoring materials, including threads, lining, zips, and embroidery accessories and added that male kaftans now cost between N10,000 and N25,000, depending on the designs, while children’s outfits attracted between N5,000 and N12,000. “Female dresses are more demanding because of the detailing involved, and the cost of accessories has gone up significantly,” Rayyan said. He explained that most tailors were under pressure to complete pending jobs before the celebration.

NAN reports that it has become fashionable for many Muslim faithful to purchase or sew new clothes ahead of the annual Sallah celebration.