Suits you! Upping the World Cup style stakes

IT'S A DATE in Dubai's social calendar quite unlike any other. Whereas food festivals and concerts may attract a certain crowd whose predilection for the event on offer encourages them to partake, the World Cup seems to draw people from several walks of life as a result of the spectacle as a whole. If you don't like horse racing (admittedly a major component of the day), you may be interested in the live musical act, which this year is Sia. If that doesn't take your fancy, there's the food, drink and party atmosphere. Then there are the prizes that can be won. And finally, probably above all other considerations is the fashion on show.
Many attendees spend weeks deliberating over their outfit before debuting it in the grandstand to a barrage of local press photographers and outstretched selfie-taking arms. And while both genders aim for centre-stage with their sartorial creations, it could be argued the ladies have more opportunity to express themselves given the variety of styles available. Mayur and Jai Sajnani of Stallion Bespoke Tailoring beg to differ.
The Dubai-raised brothers branched out on their own from their father's wholesale textile company three years ago and through innovative designs and a fresh perspective on the tailoring ethos have managed to expand from one outlet in Bur Dubai to another nestled in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa in Downtown.
A haunt for embassy staff and foreign military top brass, Rolls-Royce owners and regional VVIPs who think nothing of ordering 20 suits at a time, the Sajnani brothers are at pains to point out that they are open for business and have time for anyone who values displaying personality and exclusivity in their clothes.
"If you had Dhs1500 you can go away with a decent tailor made suit," Mayur said. "It's not just the high-profile clients we like to see come in. We want everyone to enjoy the bespoke experience. You want to come in and have a coffee. You want to browse. Then you end up with a top-notch product that is 100 per cent yours. Made for your body."
The reason for Stallion's rapid success compared to the more traditional Satwa and Bur Dubai tailors, Jai said, is down to taking a gamble on a fabric pattern.  
"We made a name for ourselves because we were the first people to stock checks. That was a trend we were a little ahead of," he said. Because they offered this novelty, Stallion's reputation spread as a place to go for the more funky designs. A reputation they whole-heartedly embraced.
"We say to our customers, if you want a black suit go talk to somebody else," said Mayur. "I cannot personally recommend a black suit, unless it's a tuxedo, because it doesn't show any character. There's nothing about you coming out.
"This started a few years ago when I went to a tailor for my sister's wedding. We didn't like the service or the goods. It was old school and older people have a certain way of thinking. They'd just show us a grey or a black or blue. There were barely any light colours!"
"We like to offer advice," said Jai. "It's hard sometimes to make people see, but if a customer comes in and wants a blue suit, we will offer suggestions on how to make it more on trend. We have a lot more options for people in terms of fabric and personalisation."
It may be all colours, pinstripes and checks when it comes to fabrics, but when it comes to the manufacturing process, the brothers wish to remain as traditional as possible. If you go in for a bespoke suit (the highest tailoring tier), one person will work on that one suit for ten days just to get out the first trial - the point where it has come together enough for the client to try it on and alterations are made. A bespoke suit has three trials and costs Dhs2,200 for the stitching alone. Depending on the materials, bespoke suits can run up costs of, well, the sky's the limit.
"The worst thing we have seen is when we have guys come in and choose everything, then for the trial, he may bring his wife. She looks at him and says 'you're not wearing that'. We have to change it all up," said Jai. It's all in a day's work though, Mayur tells us.
"This is retail, you get every type of person in the world coming through the door and that's why we love this job. We get to meet and talk to them."

Do Dubai clients like to try new styles?
Mayur: It takes a little while for people to accept international fashions here. It's a little conservative, but people want to be fashionable. What we see here is, when it reaches Zara that's when people accept it. It doesn't matter how much money you have, if it's in Zara, people like it or slightly different versions of it.

Jai: People have their limitations. At work maybe they don't want to stand out so much. Just different lapels may be a big jump for them - even from a notch to a peak! We try and give them an open mind. For us the flashier and cooler, the better. 
What are this year's World Cup trends?
Mayur: Checks will be in because of the whole English-inspired horse racing. Even chalk stripes are really in. Fabric texture is very important. Linen is good because it's hot. Cotton too. In the UK you might want wool because it's colder, but here you need to stay breezy!
Jai: Three-piece suits are great but we don't want the colours to match. If you want to make a statement it needs to be coordinated, but different.  
What would be your advice for buying a World Cup suit?
Mayur: We have an influx of business for the World Cup. Sometimes we have to turn them away because it's too late. Get in early. Ladies spend so much time and effort getting the right outfit and getting ready. You want to match up right?
david@khaleejtimes.com