If you are looking for a baju kurung or baju melayu, why not try Ana Collection which offers a wide range of apparel, writes ZANNA ES.

Her baju kurung are well-known for their latest designs, quality fabrics, neat finishing and affordable prices.

Rosna Che Ali, managing director of Ana Collection, says the embroidery is done in Indonesia where the workmanship is more refined.

Sewing and art are nothing new to the former systems analyst at Universiti Teknologi Mara who holds a computer science degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

According to Rosna, 48, the baju kurung are sent to Klang where housewives sew them at home.

“They don’t only sew for me but also for other boutiques and shops,” said the mother of five who started her business a decade ago.

Although her core business is selling apparel and other necessities for those who will be performing the Haj and Umrah, she also sells the baju kurung, baju melayu, telekung (prayer attire for women) and jubah (robes).

She set up her company Tunggak Harapan Sdn Bhd with family savings and a loan from Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Bhd.

Her eldest son Mohd Farid Ishak helps her run the business.

Their latest outlet at the Anggerik Mall opened six months ago while the one at Kompleks Warta, Bandar Baru Bangi, has been operating for four years.

“It is just a matter of time before we open another outlet in Selayang,” said Rosna.

In view of the festive occasion, she has stocked up on 1,000 pieces of which will be replenished to meet demand.

The plain baju kurung retails between RM69 and RM89 while the more elaborate ones go for between RM139 and RM159.

Aren’t there lots of competition for baju kurung in the market?

“I am not afraid of competition. There is never enough baju kurung to meet demand,” said Rosna.

Wearers of the jubah can opt for local or imported ones from Indonesia, China and Jeddah.

In view of Hari Raya, Rosna says many choose to buy the telekung, some of which are designed by her while others are designed using computers or elaborately designed with the goyang embroidery on Japanese cotton fabrics. Prices range between RM59 and RM199.

The kurta, made from Japanese koshibo fabric, is a hit with men.

The kurtas which originate from Patani, have been modified to suit local tastes and retails from RM69.

The baju melayu which comes in a two-toned shade known as siang malam is also a must buy.

The outlets also sell baju kurung for children in pretty floral prints on Japanese fabrics.

But things had not always been smooth-sailing.

Rosna said she suffered huge losses during the recession in the late 90’s.

“It was very trying as I often had no sales for weeks,” said Rosna, adding that during good times, her sales often reached RM4,000 daily.

However, she was determined to succeed and continued her business from home. “The experience taught me to be a strong person,” she said.

Despite having to do business from home her stream of loyal customers from Putrajaya, Kajang and Bangi continued to seek her for her apparel.

But where does her expertise as a system analyst come in now that she is into business?

“Computer science taught me logic and analytical thinking which has been very useful in helping me run the business,” said Rosna.

She also attributes her success to her loyal suppliers.

However, her greatest reward is when friends tell her that the baju kurung which they bought from her is very comfortable.

“It gives me great satisfaction when friends tell me that they saw others wearing my robes or telekung in the holy land,” says Rosna.

Her outlets are open seven days a week and will only be closed for a few days during Hari Raya.

For details call her at 019-286-4158 or 03-5512-2026.