Thursday, February 3, 2011

dubai indulgence: custom made clothing part I

Surprisingly, my favorite Dubai indulgence is not designer shopping... but custom designing my clothing and having them made by my good friends Raj & Iqbal at CITY LAND TAILORS! (# 04.344.5442) 


For those of you who live in Dubai, it is located in Satwa...which lucky for me is about 8 minutes from my house (yes, i timed it...i go there ALOT.) As I was pulling up tonight by myself at about 11 pm for my last time, I was remembering how terrified I was of Satwa when we first moved here. My husband dropped me off for a second at a curtain shop to look for a second and I was so nervous. It seemed like the dirtiest, scariest place in Dubai...and although it IS dirty, now it strangely feels like my second home!



Now, I don't claim to be a fashion designer by any means but I seriously love doing this. I either think of a design, bring something in to be copied, or bring in a picture from a magazine. This one is a Jason Wu dress ($2400) that I brought in yesterday afternoon.


So I went next door to my favorite fabric shop, Deepa's, and found a fabulous leopard chiffon and a zig-zag silk.  Brought it back to Iqbal and worked out the design. Often times, I bring a design that I love but I'll change a few things like make the waist of a skirt higher, or add a bow belt, or add gold buttons to a blouse.  (And don't worry Iqbal will tell you if it's not a good look for you, I especially love that!)



Now let me preface this my saying that Raj & Iqbal will tell most everyone that it will take 2 weeks plus. But I've earned my place as City Land's best customer so my time frame is anywhere for 1 hour to 36 hours. (one time I brought him fabric and came back an hour later and picked up a perfect ruffled blouse to take on a trip!)


And voila...a little bit of City Land magic and I've got a tunic dress (60 dhs/ $15) and a Jason Wu copy (125 dhs/$32) ! Seriously... the prices are amazing and there is nothing like having a dress or pair of pants fit you abolutely perfectly! 


Now I know Hong Kong will be full of tailors but Raj & Iqbal are some of my favorite friends here, not to mention that they love Olivia too!  I will miss these guys so much. 


For the Dubai ladies, make sure you tell Iqbal that you read about them here and they will give you special prices and maybe even FASTER service! Seriously, I love these guys!

* TOMORROW I'LL SHARE MORE PICS OF OTHER CUSTOM MADE CLOTHING*
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30 comments:

  1. Stephanie SabbeFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    that is awesome! I am so jealous! you will find similar places in your next home I'm sure

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  2. UnknownFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    That's fantastic. I would assume you get it all custom made for a fraction of the price of an actual Jason Wu dress. I look forward to your Hong Kong adventures.

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  3. OliviaFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Gorgeous! And how fun to have clothing custom-made.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    This is my FAVORITE thing you've ever posted. This would seriously be my dream come true. I HATE shopping and usually just give up and wear sweatshirts. I have always wished I could just design something and have someone bring it to life! And for so cheap! And I bet they love making stuff for you because you look so good in it! Okay, I think I've used enough exclamation points.

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  5. LeanneFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    That store sounds like heaven on earth. I can't wait to see more of your custom pieces!

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  6. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful}February 4, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    I'm with Marisa, one of my favorite posts...*sigh* why don't I live in Dubai??? (c: That would be completely amazing, I mean, how many times do you look at something and think "if only I could change..." or "if only that weren't a $$$$..." Seriously a dream come true! So much fun.

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  7. Melissa Marie HeadFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    How fun! I was always kicking myself for not using the tailors more in Kuwait. My brother had two custom suits and four button up shirts made for less than one suit would cost in the US and it fit him perfectly so looked even more designer. I bet you’ll find a great place in Hong Kong also!!!

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  8. Cassandra Potter KempFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    I am so jealous!! That sounds so awesome!!! Wish there was a place like that in the states :)

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  9. The S's beach houseFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    Fabulous! You are so lucky and so smart. These guys have skills, not to mention you are pretty creative!

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  10. ALRFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    Oh my goodness, this is such a luxury! I would totally miss the the people and their talents too. I am sure they will miss you as well.

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  11. SarahFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Wow, I hope you won't forget how lucky you were to have hand-made clothing!! This is one thing I really wish I could do...but, alas, I live in New England - not going to happen. Having said that, my grandmother made all her own clothes as a young girl and then taught sewing when she was in her early 20's. I really wish she could have taught me. I know it will be hard not to see these special friends, but perhaps you can email them with ideas? :0

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  12. UnknownFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    I've only ever had one dress made and it ended up looking awfully bridesmaid-y. But this post gives me hope! I guess you just have to find the right tailors, and it certainly looks you have :)

    xx Cristina

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  13. Larry and LyndaFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    I love the way you charge off and do these things. It is quite amazing. The picture of 'Livi is what captivated me the most, of course.

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  14. NatalieFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    What a fascinating experience! Those poufs are amazing, they look like the ones from Serena and Lily. What a fun adventure for you and your little family!

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  15. ashley schmutzFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    i'm officially jealous... that is AMAZING!

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  16. MichelleFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    When can I move?!

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  17. HFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    LOVE IT! Definitely my favourite part of living in Dubai. I have a hard time shopping in normal stores now that I'm back in Australia, because it doesn't seem right to pay a far higher price for something that isn't tailor made to fit me and would be better with a longer hem and in a different colour! It's a curse ;) If you find yourself living back in the US permanently one day, I promise you'll forever be looking to go on holidays to countries with cheap tailor services!

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  18. AllisonFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    wow! i am incredibly jealous. that is amazing.

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  19. ThisIsKatieVWFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    This is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing it, I will definitely pay them a visit. We went to global village last night and picked up some amazing indian floor cushions. I'm finding that I'm waking up each morning, excited to see which Dubai treasures you're sharing with us! I've been here 1 week today and my list of things to do is growing with every blog post!

    Thanks,
    Kt x

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  20. RUTHANN BALESFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Wow do they have e-mail? Could we send them ideas and they make it and send it to the States? Amazing...

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  21. RUTHANN BALESFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Wow amazing.....do they by chance have e-mail we could send a picture and they make it and send to the states? Thanks for shareing...

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  22. M.M.E.February 4, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    I had no idea such places existed! What a wonderful experience! Now, to book a ticket to Dubai.

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  23. noelle reginaFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    oh my goodness! if all you ever did was post the before and afters of your custom-made clothing i'd be the happiest blog reader there ever was.

    any chance these guys have an email address and will shop to london?

    xoxo

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  24. The AlvordsFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    I am so jealous! This is reason enough for me to pack my bags and move to Dubai.

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  25. JanaanFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Fabulous. Simply fabulous.

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  26. julieFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thank for the great contact Caitlin ....I will be getting some linen trousers made up for summer in Dubai and I have been looking for a good tailor..
    best of luck for your new venture in Hong Kong ...I will be looking forward to your posts from that exciting and busy city!

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  27. ModdybeeFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    OK...you got me..I'm moving to DUBAI!! When your 5'11' and chubby...you need a guy to sew you some clothes! I'm all about this!And, the prices...it's almost ridiculous!!! So, lucky!

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  28. jordanFebruary 7, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    This is so rad. I want a sequin skirt! I can't beleive you live in Hong Kong now! so great!

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  29. sktFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    That tunic is the cutest thing ever!

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  30. CaraFebruary 11, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    Your blog is really nice! I'm American and hubby is Pakistani...I'm always amazed when I make shalwar kameez (tunic/pants) in Pakistan for 350 Rupees. Less than 4 bucks USD!! A steal. Love Dubai and your most recent posts! Looking forward to seeing HK through your designer eyes.

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