The Night Day Suit

How it all started? The origins of Monasib date back to October of 2003, in Washington DC. Modest clothing seemed scarce, along with companies dedicated to a 'triple bottom line'. The url was subsequently registered. www.monasib.net (with monasib.com already taken by what looked like a Saudi road and trucking company). It would take five years, however, for serious work to begin and nearly 6 before company launch. The first garment on the drawing boards: the Night Day Suit. Why and how the Night Day Suit came about? The first threads of the story unfold below...

Do women not work round the clock? Are their days not busy from morning to night? With this in mind, Monasib started its first design, termed the Night Day Suit, with the idea of a garment, which could go anywhere and do anything. The woman sporting a Night/Day could go to school/the office, she could go to a place of prayer, she could even go for a gentle jog. The colour black was decided, albeit accented with some contrast, as is not black one of the most versatile colours? An optional head covering was added for extra modesty (for those who desired it). Of course this was the thinking behind the garment, but the actual making of it was quite a different story.

With the founder of the company on maternity leave and hard pressed to get out, she started calling fabric agents to help her decide. One man named ‘C’ responded to her query and came bearing a range of fabrics. Finally after two weeks of fabric testing, ‘C’ called to say that he had found the solution to our fabric conundrum: viscose lycra! But it would cost us. Borderline extortion followed as Monasib paid the funds it would take to get the first sample of viscose lycra.

Many a tailor and dressmaker were involved in the first creations of the Night Day Suit. Most grew frustrated by the fabric, which promised more drape-ability than cotton and a warmer touch than polyester. Late night calls followed with dressmakers hard pressed to make the deadlines, with the excuse being that threads were catching in the machines.

We wore the first version for a week, tweaking the arms and the bust. The second and third versions were worn by students and staff at the Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles, in Belville; by version four, we were nearing production. Somehow, despite repeated tweaks, the neckline and the length of the pants were not rectified, making this particular garment a little bigger at the neck and a little longer at the leg. The learnings continue, always.

We’ve received a lot of feedback from women who are (happily) wearing this garment, however, by far the biggest boon for our small company came a little closer to home. A month ago, the founder’s 69 year old mother in law arrived from Pakistan via the USA fully decked out in the Night Day Suit. The suit had survived the 24 plus hour flight with the woman in good form. The garment had become a staple of her wardrobe. During the month, the long length adjustable head covering was almost always on, a garment we have since termed ‘sanctuary’ for all the modesty it provides. Yes, a boon, for all.




Next up...we look at how the first track suit came about, with a lot of sweat and tears....