After walking into Madinat Zayed, customers are overwhelmed with an overdose of sensations; hats stacked hurriedly, plastic necklaces thrown about and perfume samples sprayed left and right. Voices beckoning from shops blur into white noise.

On the upper floors, silks, cotton, velvet and taffeta precariously pack the walls. There are colors, patterns and textures for all tastes, from the most glamorous to the simplest of styles. If the likes of H&M, Forever 21 or Zara bore you, spark your artistic side by engaging with your clothing in an entirely new way: make your own.

By Nicole Lopez Del Carril/The Gazelle

The steps are simple.

A shirt requires between two and two and a half meters of fabric, bought at Madinat Zayed. Prices range from 25 to hundreds of dirhams per meter, depending on the material you choose and the numbers of layers you opt for.

For an inexperienced shopper, looking for fabric in the plethora of textile shops can be an intimidating process. The stores are lined up next to one another, all seemingly selling the same assortment of patterns and materials. Behind their display windows, each shop is a blossoming center of creativity and innovation.

One shop in particular caters to a student’s fashion quest. Swareeh, pronounced soirée, is one of the oldest shops in Madinat Zayed, located on the second floor towards the center of the mall. A smaller shop, it is staffed by friendly and patient young men open to displaying different fabrics and collaborating with your creative process.

Haitham, the owner, moved from Damascus to Abu Dhabi in 1997, encouraged by his brother’s successful textile business in the city. Setting up shop in the old Souk on Airport Road, he quickly adapted to the fabrics in demand in the UAE. Whereas the Damascene winters required heavier materials like wool, Abu Dhabi’s year-long summer called for lighter, breathable fabrics. This presented a new challenge, maintaining competition and novel designs.

In 2005, Swareeh moved from the old Souk to Madinat Zayed, which has become the principal spot to buy fabric. Emirati women stride through the mall purposefully, negotiating prices for materials to make kandoras and decorate abayas, but Haitham knows the secret to drawing in the customers.

“You have to relax the customer,” said Haitham. “Little smile and not too much words.” Although he is continually improving his techniques, he has an ample base of loyal clients. Swareeh’s elegant selection has a higher price but a palpable quality, unique amongst Madinat Zayed’s shops. Haitham attributes his own Arab roots as having a special appeal to his customers, making them feel more at home.

Perhaps his ease with customers parallels his own comfort in Madinat Zayed, which over the years has become his home. His two brothers’ textile shops are on the same floor, and his family has grown to include the managers of the shops nearby. “[The neighbors] are Syrian, they are like my brothers,” said Haitham. “Of course I have lunch with them.”

Yet Haitham’s primary concern is his clients. Customers can bring a photo of a shirt, dress or skirt that they like and he matches the look with his fabric. If you wish to bedazzle your creation, the Swareeh staff recommends Malik & Shaheed, a small shop in front of the mall’s parking lot, which offers an assortment of buttons, beads, crystals, ornaments and borders.

By Nicole Lopez Del Carril/The Gazelle

With the material in hand, the next stop is the tailor’s, found near Airport Road or in the Khalidiya neighborhood. Be sure to go with some ideas of patterns in mind or take along your favorite shirt to customize the fit. To create a simple short-sleeve shirt, prices will range from 50 to 60 AED. Overall, it totals to around 130 AED, a small price to pay for a journey of creation.

A unique alternative is the shop of Haitham’s brother, Souvenir, which is close to Lulu’s. In addition to selling fabrics, Souvenir has an in-house tailor. Latifah, a smiley Moroccan woman, can help design your shirt and make it for you on the spot.

Hasan, the store owner, looks forward to welcoming NYU Abu Dhabi students. Next time you want a change in your wardrobe, create a souvenir, that will remind you of Abu Dhabi.

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