Agbada and babban riga: a Nigerian formalwear tailor in Dubai

The Bespoke Corner in Business Bay tailors the agbada and the babban riga to measure in Dubai: the grand robe, the inner tunic and the trousers, cut by hand and embroidered by hand at the neck and chest. We agree the colour, the cloth and the embroidery with you, and we come to your home or office anywhere in Dubai to measure and fit. For a wedding or a chieftaincy, give us the date and start early.

West African formalwear is rarely made to measure in Dubai, so most people make do with something bought abroad or off the peg. We cut it properly, to your body, here.

The agbada

The agbada is the three-piece set worn for the biggest occasions: a wide, flowing robe with the sleeves folded back over the shoulders, over a long inner tunic and trousers. The embroidery is done by hand at the neck and across the chest, in matching or contrasting thread, to a design we settle together. A matching fila cap completes it. The robe and the inner set can be the same colour or deliberately contrasted. See the agbada.

The babban riga

The babban riga is the great gown, worn in one colour from cap to hem, with wide sleeves folded over the shoulder and hand embroidery at the chest. Under it sits a long kaftan and trousers, cut close so the gown falls cleanly over them, with a matching hula or zanna cap. See the babban riga.

For the days around the ceremony

Not every event calls for the full robe. The Nigerian kaftan, long and clean with embroidery at the collar and cuffs, is cut as a tunic-and-trousers set for the days around a wedding and for Sallah. We can coordinate an aso ebi colour across a family or a party, measured together in one sitting.

How it works in Dubai

• Choose the cloth from more than 3,000 fabrics in the showroom, or we bring the books to you.
• We draw a pattern for your body and agree the embroidery design and placement.
• We fit the set on you and adjust until it hangs right, at the showroom or at your home.

Agbada and babban riga embroidery takes time, so for a wedding, Eid or a chieftaincy, book well ahead and tell us the date. Message us on WhatsApp to start, or ask for a home visit anywhere in Dubai.