How to Start an Abaya Business : Sourcing, Manufacturing & Setup Guide

Ever dreamed of starting your own Abaya business? Whether you're in the UK, Europe, USA or anywhere across the globe - Dubai might just be the best place to start hunting for your supplier. Why? Because the city is a goldmine for the latest abaya designs, affordable manufacturers, and world-class fabrics.

In this guide, we're diving deep into everything you need to know - from how to start your own abaya business, to where to find reliable manufacturers, how to understand fabrics, and even how to legally register your business in Dubai.

Sounds exciting? Let’s get into it.

Why Dubai Is the Best Place for Your Abaya Business

Let’s be honest - Dubai is the fashion capital of the Middle East, and when it comes to abayas, it’s light-years ahead in terms of design, variety, and quality.

You’ll find everything here:

Premium fabrics from Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam.

Thousands of manufacturers who stitch everything from basic black open abayas to luxury embellished collections.

Low production cost: Stitching starts at just AED 20 ($6)!

Fast and affordable logistics: A 30kg box (which fits up to 60 abayas) costs only £120 ($150) to ship to the UK. For the US, it's around $250. Not to forget - shipping times from Dubai are surprisingly fast. Orders to the UK can arrive in just 5–12 working days.

Now let’s walk through the two pillars of the business.

1. Finding the Right Abaya Manufacturer in Dubai

You’ll find most abaya manufacturers in Deira (Dubai), Ajman, and Sharjah. But here’s the thing - not all manufacturers are created equal.

Let’s say you’ve finalized a gorgeous design, sourced your own fabric, and want it stitched professionally. If you're ordering just 60 pieces, stitching could cost AED 35 per piece. But increase that to 120? The cost drops to AED 25. For 500+ pieces? You’re looking at AED 15–18 per piece.

This is how the wholesale abaya model works in Dubai.

More quantity = lower price per piece.

2. Problems You May Face with Local Manufacturers

Communication Can Be a Challenge

Many manufacturers operate small workshops with 5–6 tailors. While they’re great at stitching, they often lack strong English communication, especially for international clients. This becomes a problem if you’re managing everything remotely.

Fabric & Color Mismatches

Let’s say you’re based in the UK and shared a design with your supplier through Instagram. You wanted “olive green satin,” but they deliver “forest green georgette.” And just like that - your whole launch could go off track.

The truth is - small manufacturers often don’t have the inventory or understanding of premium fabrics to match your exact requirements unless you're physically present.

Why Fabric Knowledge Is a Superpower

There are hundreds of fabric types used in abayas - Korean Nida, premium linen, georgette, crepe, chiffon, satin. But here’s the trick: every premium fabric also has a Chinese or Vietnamese version, which costs less but doesn’t last as long.

If you're unaware of fabric grades, you could easily end up overpaying.

For example, a manufacturer quotes you $32 per abaya, but the actual cost is only $20. That’s a big dent in your profit margins.

How to Filter Out Low-Quality Manufacturers

Around 75% of abaya manufacturers produce low-quality abayas and hope you won’t notice. So how do you avoid them?

Ask Smart Questions:

1. What fabric will you use?

2. Where is the fabric made - China, Korea, or Vietnam?

3. Can you send me a sample first?

Never place a bulk order without checking a sample. Yes, they may charge extra for it - but it’s 100% worth it. A sample gives you insight into stitching quality, color accuracy, and overall fabric feel.

Understanding the Pricing

Most abayas that retail for £60–£90 in the UK can be manufactured for less than half that cost in Dubai, with the same or better quality. That’s how you build a profitable business.

What About Shipping?

Every new business owner asks this - and you should too.

Shipping from Dubai to the UK costs around £120 ($150) for 30kg (up to 60 abayas). To the US, it’s around $250. Transit time is 5–12 working days.

The manufacturer usually arranges the shipping. Always ask if the shipment is insured, in case something goes wrong.

How to Register Your Abaya Business in Dubai

Let’s say you want to launch your brand officially in the UAE and need a license.

You’ll need a Commercial License under the Readymade Garments Group. This is the same business activity used for clothing brands. We’ve explained it in detail in our blog on How to Start a Clothing Business in Dubai.

Steps to Register Your Abaya Company in Dubai

Let’s break it down clearly:

Step 1 – Choose the Business Activity

In your case, it’s readymade garments. This lets you sell abayas, accessories, and more.

Step 2 – Decide the Legal Structure

The most common is LLC (Limited Liability Company) if you’re starting with a partner, or you can go solo. Unsure whether to go with a commercial or professional license? Read this guide.

Step 3 – Finalize the Trade Name

Submit 3 name options. If your name is in English, you’ll pay AED 2,000 extra.

Step 4 – Apply for Initial Approval

This shows your intent to start the business. But it’s not a license to operate yet.

Step 5 – Secure a Virtual or Physical Office

For online abaya stores, a virtual office is enough. Cost starts from AED 6,000/year.

Step 6 – Draft and Sign the MOA

This is your company's legal agreement.

Step 7 – Pay Fees and Get Your License

The license fee is around AED 10,000. Add virtual office and visa, and your total cost is around AED 20,000–25,000.

For step-by-step instructions, see our full business registration guide.

COFTT Can Help

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At COFTT, we help entrepreneurs register their fashion or abaya business the right way. From paperwork to approvals, we’ve helped 1000s of brands launch successfully in Dubai.

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Let’s Talk Branding and Product Shoot

Once your abayas are ready - you’ll need stunning photos to attract buyers.

In Dubai, you can book professional photo studios with models, stylists, and editors. They offer all-in-one packages and typically charge AED 2,000 for a 10-abaya photoshoot.

Photos are everything in fashion. That’s what makes or breaks online sales.

Don’t Forget Your Labels & Packaging

Great branding = premium feel.

You can order custom brand labels, tags, and packaging from printing companies in Dubai - or have your manufacturer arrange it. Just ask. Most manufacturers have contacts who can handle all branding elements affordably.

Final Thoughts

Starting your own abaya business in Dubai is more doable than ever. You just need the right manufacturer, proper fabric knowledge, and legal setup. From sourcing to licensing, photography to branding - everything is available here.

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If you’re ready to start, COFTT is here to help you register your business and scale it globally. Ready to create your abaya empire? Let’s make it happen. Contact us today for more information.