Summary

Colour photograph of making face masks for sale in Zurlia Istiviani Usman's store EMAAN in Sydney Road Coburg, 2020 (the store, House of EMAAN having relocated from Brunswick) as a way of adapting her business to the COVID-19 pandemic. The photograph features seamstress Yusra Idan at her work bench, folding a mask lining to insert in a mask in her house in Meadow Heights, 23rd July 2020. The photo was taken by Yusra's daughter, Sarah Al Matoory.

Zurlia Istiviani Usman arrived in Australia on a scholarship in 1988, followed soon after by her husband Gofar and daughter. Returning to Indonesia in 1992 after their visas expired they re-returned on temporary visas and obtained permanent residency in 1996. Zurlia opened an Islamic clothes store in Sydney Road Brunswick in 2003 (now EMAAN in Sydney Road Coburg) and since 2018 it has been managed by one of her five daughters Anisa who has evolved and broadened the business. During the 2020 pandemic, the family has adapted the kinds of goods sold, including becoming an international mask supplier using local ethical manufacturing for the first time.

Description of Content

Bench with masks in process of being made, pair of hands folding white liner next to sewing machine.

Physical Description

Colour photographic print

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
This collection provides an important insight into the development of small businesses catering particularly for Muslim communities, and more particularly women. It also documents how a small business has coped during the Covid-19 pandemic. The story also represents the contemproary migration and settlement story of a family of Muslim-Indonesian background.

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