\n<\/p>\n
At Arab Street, 85-year-old heritage business Toko Aljunied \u2013 which has seen a 25 per cent increase in sales over the past year \u2013 is grappling with a different challenge: Finding a successor.<\/p>\n
Ms Zahra Aljunied said the shop, which was opened by her grandfather, is now being run by the third generation, but no one in the family has expressed interest in taking over after them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some shops, family businesses along this Arab Street, for example, that closed down because the next generation wouldn’t want to even take up the business,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The shop\u00a0specialises\u00a0in traditional kebayas with intricate embroidery, which poses a challenge in attracting young customers who may not want to don such colourful outfits, she noted.<\/p>\n
Further down the street, Kebaya at Ratianah has been more successful in securing a next-generation successor.<\/p>\n
The owner\u2019s daughter, Ms Putri Nadirah, said she believes education and exposure from a young age is key in keeping the heritage dress alive for future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kebaya itself is quite prominent in my culture, so the early exposure did help to encourage my love towards it,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up seeing my mother, my grandmother and all the beautiful ladies donning the kebaya, and that created such a special memory, as well as like intimacy in terms of remembering the strong ladies who wore it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Putri noted, however, that the growing presence of fast fashion kebayas, which are often cheaper and produced with alternative materials, may erode the authenticity of the traditional silhouette.<\/p>\n
\u201cA different kind of fabric \u2026 might not be suitable for our weather, then, in the end, creates a certain idea that it might be uncomfortable to wear the kebaya itself,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n