How to Start an Abaya Business?

It was the night before Eid.  The small streets of Sharjah were glowing — lanterns flickering, the air filled with perfume and laughter.

A young woman named Amina sat beside her sewing machine, surrounded by soft black Nida fabric. She had stitched five abayas — elegant, flowing, and stitched with love.

She didn’t have a store, a website, or a big marketing budget. All she had was an idea:

“What if modesty could meet modern fashion?”

So, she took photos of her handmade abayas on her phone and posted them on Instagram. Within hours, her phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

Five orders. Then ten. Then thirty.

That’s how Amina’s Abaya Boutique was born — not from capital, but from courage and creativity.

Now imagine this story being yours. Because today, you’ll learn how to start your own abaya business — from idea to income — even if you’re starting with nothing but a dream.

Related:   How to Start a Successful Hijab Business?

10 Steps To Starting An Abaya Business

Step 1: Define Your Abaya Brand Vision

Before you stitch your first thread, define your abaya business plan.

Ask yourself:

• Why do I want to start an abaya brand?

• Who is my customer — students, working women, travelers, or brides?

• What makes my abayas unique — fabric, embroidery, design, or philosophy?

???? Action Tip:
Pick a niche. For example:

• Luxury Abayas for fashion-forward women

• Everyday Abayas for modern professionals

• Custom Bridal Abayas for weddings

• Eco-Friendly Abayas for sustainability-conscious customers

When you target a clear audience, your abaya clothing line becomes recognizable and easier to market.

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Step 2: Choose Quality Fabrics and Reliable Abaya Suppliers

Your abaya business is only as strong as your fabric.

Popular abaya fabrics include:

• Nida – soft, flowing, premium texture

• Crepe – light, wrinkle-resistant, great for daily wear

• Chiffon – elegant, breathable, perfect for layering

• Satin – luxurious and glossy for special occasions

• Linen or Cotton blends – ideal for hot climates

???? Pro Tip:
Before choosing an abaya supplier or manufacturer, always request samples. Test how the fabric feels, stretches, and drapes.

You can find abaya fabric suppliers in:

• UAE (Dubai Textile Souk)

• Turkey (Istanbul markets)

• Indonesia & Malaysia (modest wear hubs)

• Online B2B platforms like Alibaba, Tradewheel, and IndiaMART

Your choice of supplier defines your product quality — and your brand’s reputation.

Step 3: Register Your Business and Protect Your Brand

It’s time to go from hobby to brand.

Steps to start legally:

1. Choose a name: Something elegant, short, and easy to remember (like Noor Abayas or Laila Modestwear).

2. Register your company: In Dubai, apply for a modest fashion or apparel business licence. In other countries, register as an LLC or sole proprietor.

3. Open a business bank account: Keep finances separate.

4. Trademark your logo: Protect your abaya brand identity from copycats.

???? Estimated Startup Costs:
Depending on your country, you can start with as little as $1,000–$5,000, covering fabric, sewing tools, packaging, and online setup.

Step 4: Design Your First Abaya Collection

Start small, but start strong.

Your abaya clothing line can include:

• 3–5 everyday abayas

• 2–3 luxury or special occasion designs

• Optional: Matching hijabs or accessories

???? Creative Tip:
Look for abaya design ideas that blend tradition with trends — minimal embroidery, contrast piping, kimono sleeves, or open abayas for layering.

???? Pro Tip:
If you don’t sew yourself, hire a local tailor or abaya manufacturer to produce small batches. Quality control is essential — loose threads or uneven stitching can harm your image.

Step 5: Build Your Brand Identity

Your abaya brand identity tells your story without words.

Elements to define:

• Logo: Simple and elegant

• Color palette: Black, beige, gold, or soft neutrals

• Tone of voice: Graceful, confident, inspiring

• Brand message: Example:

  “At ZAHRA Abayas, we design elegance for women who express faith through fashion.”

This emotional connection builds customer loyalty — and helps you stand out in a crowded Islamic clothing business.

Step 6: Create a Smart Abaya Pricing Strategy

Pricing your abayas right means staying profitable while being fair.

Use this simple formula:
Cost Price + Expenses + Profit Margin = Selling Price

For example:
If each abaya costs $20 to produce (fabric + tailoring + packaging), you might sell it at $45–$60 for retail and $35–$40 wholesale.

???? Pro Tip:
Keep your profit margin between 50–70% for a healthy business.

Offer bundle discounts (like “Buy 2, Get 1 Hijab Free”) — they increase your average order value and customer happiness.

Step 7: Set Up Your Abaya Online Store

The future of modest fashion is online.

Here’s how to build your digital shopfront:

1. Choose an eCommerce platform: Shopify, Wix, or WooCommerce.

2. Use SEO-friendly product titles: Example – “Luxury Black Nida Abaya for Women | Modest Fashion UAE.”

3. Write detailed product descriptions: Mention fabric, size, design, and care instructions.

4. Add clear photos: Use natural light, neutral background, and smiling models.

???? SEO Keywords to Use:
abaya online store, abaya fashion brand, buy abayas online, modest wear, Islamic fashion

Step 8: Market Your Abaya Brand Like a Pro

Marketing is storytelling — not shouting.

???? On Instagram

Show your abayas in real life — try reels like “3 Ways to Style One Abaya” or “Behind the Scenes at Our Studio.”

???? On TikTok

Use short videos showing your packaging process or transformations.

???? On Email

Send newsletters with style tips or Eid collection previews.

???? On Your Blog

Write SEO articles like:

• “Top 5 Abaya Styles for Summer”

• “How to Choose the Right Abaya Fabric”

• “Modest Fashion Trends in 2025”

???? Power Tip:
Collaborate with modest fashion influencers for product reviews or styling videos.

Step 9: Perfect Your Packaging and Delivery

A beautiful abaya deserves beautiful packaging.

What to include:

• Elegant branded box or dust bag

• Thank-you card with care instructions

• Free gift (like a scarf pin or small perfume sample)

Choose a reliable courier service with order tracking.
Fast, trustworthy delivery builds repeat buyers.

Step 10: Scale Your Abaya Business

Once sales grow, start scaling smartly.

• Launch seasonal collections (Ramadan, Eid, Summer).

• Add accessories (hijabs, belts, niqabs).

• Offer custom stitching or embroidery.

• Expand to global markets via Amazon or Etsy.

⚠️ Avoid common mistakes:

• Ordering too much stock too early

• Ignoring customer feedback

• Copying competitors

Keep improving your designs, fabric quality, and customer experience — that’s how you build a sustainable abaya fashion empire.

30-Day Abaya Business Launch Plan