Lifting the Veil

Karim has been designing hijabs for over 14 years and working on his computer, has managed to change the look of the garment. From a simple robe that can be tied round the waist to robes that are multi-layered and garments with short or long jackets — the options are many.

His target clientele is mainly the NRI market. Of the 300 pieces that Karim designs and manufactures at his small workshop with a staff of 20 every month, almost 50 per cent are exported to US, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and UK, depending on orders received. Karim has also received a number of inquiries from Indonesia and Malaysia.

‘‘Generally I avoid sending hijaabs in bulk, mainly because with only a staff of 20 members, it becomes quite difficult. Moreover, most of the customers — even at the boutique — are NRIs,’’ he says.

What sets these designer hijabs apart is the heavy embroidery. While most of his hijabs have embroidered necklines and sleeves, there are those which even sport an embroidered back — if you want, it can be done on a net panel.

‘‘The hijabs today are designed keeping the younger generation in mind. In changing times, the girls do not want to dress in thick cottons but material that is light and colourful,’’ says Karim, adding that the most popular are ones designed on ‘‘see-through materials.’’

Traditional rumali hijaabs are ‘‘out’’ and the in thing is the ‘abaya’, which is available in single and multi-layers, along with matching dupattas instead of traditional veils. Some hijabs also have slits on side — to help ‘‘walk properly.’’

Though Karim has been using nets mainly in sleeves and back, his next design is going to be an all-net hijab, richly embroidered. Most of the embroidery patterns — mainly flowers of different shapes, sizes and colours — are designed on the computer while the embroidery is done by computerised sewing machines. The work is further enhanced by artificial diamonds, beads or ‘‘mesh’’ work.

The prices range from anywhere between Rs 200 and Rs 3,500, depending on the embroidery work and the material used. ‘‘There are many who prefer to buy a heavy hijab than an expensive dress as the hijab is going to cover whatever dress they have worn inside. In fact, I have a number of customers for whom wearing a hijab is not compulsory but they wear it as it looks elegant,’’ says Karim.

Collegegoer Hanisa Abdul is one of them. ‘‘Wearing a hijab is not at all compulsory for me but because they look elegant when worn, I always wear one to college,’’ says Hanisa, who adds that even her Hindu friends ask where she ‘‘gets the hijabs designed.’’