Rehana Brodriys

Our little shop is tucked away at A H Siddiqui & Bros inside the Air Force Station Race Course Camp. It isn't the easiest place to just wander into because of the security at the gate, but we’ve been here quite a while now. We mostly focus on embroidery and thread work, which is why we call ourselves Rehana Brodriys. My hands are usually stained with dye or a bit sore from holding needles all day, but that’s just how it is. We don't have a big team or any fancy machines that do the work for us. It is mostly just sitting at the frames and working through the patterns one stitch at a time. The room is often filled with bits of silk and cotton thread that seem to get everywhere, no matter how much we sweep. We don't really have a big sign outside or a polished showroom. People usually find us because someone told them we could fix a garment or add some detail to a dress. It gets a bit quiet out here sometimes, which is nice for focusing on the details. We don't use any high-tech systems to keep track of things; it is mostly just notes scribbled in a diary. Sometimes we run out of a specific color and have to wait days for more to come in, which can be frustrating. It is just a simple way of working that has suited us for years. We just keep our heads down and finish what is in front of us.