“Darzee, idhar ek bow dena aur peechhe mein ek chain (put a bow here and a chain at the back),” explains Marium as she brings out a red netted ‘dress material’ along with lining cloth from the plastic packet of a popular shop in New Market. Marium and her daughter, Lorna, have travelled all the way from Picnic Garden to get her Christmas gown made from their tailor on Elliot Road. In the hallowed corner of one of these age-old tailoring sanctuaries, darzee Abdul Karim deftly takes measurements. A simple request for added flare elicits Abdul’s expertise, “A touch of cancan will do, but it comes with its price,” he advises.
A dress made by Abdul Karim Ladies Dress Makers
From the elegant swirl of a gown to the crisp lines of a tailored shirt, these Elliot Road tailor shops have been stitching the Anglo-Indian community’s dresses for generations. For decades, they have been entrusted with designs picked from weathered ‘foreign magazines’ that lie strewn around the shop, using fabric purchased by customers from the bustling lanes of New Market.
As Christmas inches closer, My Kolkata went on a scout, seeking out these venerable establishments that continue to stitch together legacies and attire.
Abdul Karim Ladies Dress Makers
At 55A Elliot Road stands Abdul Karim Ladies Dress Makers, also known as Karim Tailors. Claiming that his shop is more than 90 years old, the third-generation owner Abdul Karim said, “We have customers mainly from the Anglo-Indian community. Many who have moved abroad visit us during Bada Din to get their clothes stitched. We have to keep our hands free for them.” Karim says that they specialise in all types of ‘Western’ outfits from gowns, dresses, and tops to sleek pencil and A-line skirts. They promise delivery within a week from the day of receiving the material and measurements.
Address: 55A, Elliot Road, Kolkata-700016
Making charges: Rs 500 onwards
Contact: 6291718560
Olympic Boutique
On Elliot Road, very close to Loreto Day School for Girls and Heera Hotel, is Olympic Boutique. Master SK Rakib Hassan, who has been tailoring for 45 years, says that he specialises in ladies’ garments, including dresses, pants, skirts, and salwar suits, catering to both Christian and Muslim communities.
Explaining why people still choose tailored clothes over ready-made garments, he said, “The fittings are always better if you get your clothes made according to your shape and size. Also, people come with their own designs which adds an exclusive touch. For many, designer wear might be out of reach, but tailored clothing provides an affordable avenue. They also get to select their desired material.” At Olympic, they typically deliver within one to two weeks from the order placement.
Address: 23, Elliot Road, Kolkata-700016
Making charges: Rs 600 to Rs 1500 for dresses and salwar suits
Contact: 6296431512, 9681055303
Modella Tailors
This 45-year-old tailor shop is another local establishment, and they make school uniforms and salwar suits round the year. However, as Christmas approaches, the demand surges for dresses, skirts, ladies’ shirts, and tops. The delivery time varies, depending on the design and availability of the Masterji.
Address: 74-C Elliot Road, Kolkata-700016
Making charges: Rs 400 onwards
Contact: 9830613035
M. Yusuf Tailors
Elliot Road does not only cater to ladies’ tailors. There are several tailors that make garments for men, too. One such tailor is M. Yusuf Tailors and they have been in the business for four decades. According to Anzar Ahmed, the owner of the shop, the customers depend on them for precise fittings and premium material. “They buy the material from us and get it stitched according to their fitting. We offer branded materials for blazers, suits, shirts and trousers — all under one roof,” he said.
Anzar Ahmed of Yusuf Tailors
Ahmed’s regular customers are businessmen and corporate professionals, drawn in by the convenience of sourcing materials and tailoring services in a single place. As Christmas approaches, people also seek out M. Yusuf Tailors for formal wear.
Address: 53A, Elliot Road, Kolkata-700016
Making charges: Rs 6,000 for suits, Rs 1,000 for shirts (the final costing may vary depending on the material). The measurements must be given at least 10 days ahead of the delivery date.
Contact: 9831735716
New Style Wear
This designer studio for menswear is located right beside Olympic Boutique near Loreto Day School for Girls. Over the last 25 years, New Style Wear has been stitching Indowestern mens’ garments along with suits, shirts, tuxedo, jacket, kurtas and sherwanis at their two-storey studio.
Blazer by New Style Wear
Owner Asif Hussain highlights their flexibility, stating, “We also provide unstitched materials for garments, and can accommodate emergency orders within one to two days if needed.” Typically, their standard delivery time spans 10 days.
Address: 23, Elliot Road, Kolkata-700016
Making charges: Rs 4,500 for suits (may vary depending on the material)
Contact: 7003313397, 9831485693
A stitch in time…
Elliot Road used to be lined with tailoring shops, until the pandemic hit and many had to down their shutters. Among the struggling remnants, with a handful of customers, is Elite Tailors. Owner Hussein Ali laments that the pandemic put an end to their 50-year-old flourishing business. “Memsahib sab aatin thi, dress, skirt, blouse silwane. Corona ne sab khatam kar diya” (Previously, memsahibs would frequent us for dresses, skirts, and blouses, but Corona put an end to it all). According to Ali, their senior workers left the job to go home and never returned. The ready-made garments market had already taken away their major customers. The shop is now sustained by loyal customers seeking minor alterations like falls, pico, and blouse stitching. The once-specialised orders for dresses and gowns, their hallmark, have dwindled to near extinction. “In this era of everything artificial, I hope that people begin to appreciate authenticity once more,” reflects Ali with a tinge of despair, his voice drowning under the whirr of his sewing machine that once signalled prosperity.
