Lara

I want to share with everyone my experience with the Pakistani designer Hajra Hayat.

I emailed and inquired about ordering kurtis custom-made based off her shalwar kameez designs. Her manager Rabeela was very professional and very nice. We worked for over a week emailing and finalizing details. On the sleeveless kurtis, I stressed to make sure they had sleeves. I asked for a discount since it was my first time ordering and I was ordering 4 pieces. She extended a nice discount and then emailed me later and said the "head office" will not allow it since they have no control over the $65 DHL charges. They gave me $20 off?? I emailed Hajra Hayat directly about this and her unprofessional response was "hey, why u want a discount. Margins aren't that high over here. when u get the clothes it will be worth it." Who talks like that??? She is a grown woman, not a teenager who says "hey."

I sent the $550 and after 4 weeks, inquired on the clothes. Both Hajra and her manager said that the clothes had been sent and that they would email me a tracking number. No number came. After a couple more emails, the manager, Rabeela, wrote me that the DHL charges were $92 and that could I send $25 more! So they both lied to me on package being sent, and then asked for $25???? How cheap is that?

After sending the $25, the clothes arrived. The kaam and amount of kaam is very good for the price. They put sheer, chiffon-type material on the sleeves when I was hoping they would not be see-through. Isn’t that would someone means when they say to add sleeves?? Also, the stitching was not good. I asked for upper arms width to be 13 inches wide. They were 10-12 inches. The kurtis were snug on the chest area. One of the kurtis was supposed to be a full kameez from one of her outfits. I paid $225 for that one and it is snug snug snug. I was very disappointed as it was my favorite from the order. I took the kurtis to a local tailor last week for alterations and they have told me minimum $50 if they can even do it due to not much fabric to work with.

Early this morning, the tailor called me to her studio and showed me little holes in the chiffon all along the shabby stitching on the sleeves. How can she fix that? I went to a fabric store and bought some chiffon and hopefully she can patch it somehow.

I just want to share my experiences with everyone because I think it's important for you to know what you are dealing with when you order from Hajra Hayat.

I had emailed her manager Rabeela a few times on my unsatisfaction of the order and cc'd Hajra. Hajra never replied and Rabeela's friendly vibe disappeared and now they no longer reply to me.

This whole experience has been very disappointing as I was hoping to establish a regular business relationship with her.

Pareezay

I think you should add Hajra on facebook and confront her about this or post on her group there. I don't like her designs or her work, they are really overpriced. As for her bridals, her dupattas look the SAME in almost every bridal, she has no creativity. But I want to ask you something, why would want to spend 550 (with shipping close to 700) on just four kurtis?? There are MANY places where you could have ordered them from for much less.

farishta2

^DITTO that..

and please post pictures so we can see what an awesome job she did..

Lara

I don't want to add Hajra as a friend if I don't really know her. I am a member of her Facebook group. I have sent her emails to her personal hotmail address and she responded before my order arrived, but will not respond to any of my personal emails complaining about the work. Today, I emailed her a personal message expressing my disappointment and telling her specific issues. I doubt she will respond.

I like some of her designs and color combinations, and that is why I ordered. The kurtis were reasonably priced at $60-80 each for the embellishment and amount of work. One was $225 but it was a lot of work. I am comparing the prices to the US department store prices since I live in America. Anything like this would cost several hundred each and ordering from abroad is made to my measurements.

I am always looking for good designers or people who can do good work. I have had overall good experience with hinab.com, but wanted to try Hajra since she had reasonable prices. Sometimes when you order from the copycats, the kaam and work is not as shown on the picture. Hajra's stuff was exactly what I was expecting, just the stitching was poor in some crucial places!!

Lara

I will post pictures once I get the stuff back from the tailor.

Lara

Also, if I post this experience on the Facebook group, they will delete my comments and that way no one can read them. They can control their forum there.

PSquared

Im glad you posted your experience here...Im on her FB as well and was thinking of ordering from her. Now, I wont!

Lara

Thanks!

I am so disappointed I can't convey enough in words. I really like her kurtis and would have enjoyed ordering more. They were perfect for lunches, work, etc.

I don't understand why she is just blowing it off like no big deal.

wishkamar

after reading people's experience with Hira Shahab Kazi and now with Hajra Hayat, I'm convinced to never shop online for desi clothes.

Lara

I have had successful transactions too.

wishkamar

Yeah, but it seems like a risky business, does it not?

midnighteyes

Wow! I would have thought they'd at least have neat and proper stitching for what they are charging! Please do post the pictures when you get the clothes back from the tailor

wishkamar

And I'm surprised how unprofessional these so-called big designers are.

Lara

I will post the pictures, but hopefully the stitching issues will have been fixed. At least you will be able to see the kaam. If they aren't fixed, you see those issues.

Lara

wishkamar - yes it is risky business. But what else can I do living in America?

WhateverFloatsUrBoat

nothing really, when u live in the US all you have to do is wait to go to pakistan to make nice and reasonable priced clothes. Which for ppl like me is like once every 5 yrs...

Maria416

i made a discussion for this on the Hajra Hayat group, lets see what happens, lol

Lara

I haven't been to Pakistan since 1998 and have no immediate plans to go in the future.

Lara

Maria4167 - where is the Hajra Hayat group? Is it on this forum?

somegroovychick

^ which desi retailers have you had positive experiences with?