Clothes Knitters and Tailors

Description

At the most central location of Chania, next to the Municipal Market is the Malinakis knitting factory.  Besides being a reference for the city center, it is also a historical building since in its yard were Ottoman graves, while its interior is the only access point to the minaret. The Imam from this place, through the circular staircase had access  to the minaret of Daliani Street, where he recited the prayer during the Ottoman period in Crete.

In 1927 the well-known knitting factory was founded in this place, which due to exports at one point employed up to forty five people. In the production line there were the following areas: the cutting area, the sewing machines, the ironing area and packaging department. The old knitting machines initially worked with a belt system and later electric machines were added. It was possible to order tailored made clothing, choosing from a rich color chart. Sweaters, cardigans, women’s suits and a wide variety of men’s clothing were sewed for women and men of the city.  Some decades ago it was usual for people to wear tailored clothes and it was usual to be well dressed as well. The factory imported raw materials of very good quality, which were used in production after their proper processing. The factory, however, mainly produced underwear that was exported throughout Greece and abroad. The historic knitting factory that operated from 1927 to 2010 is also an indication of the clothing habits of the city’s inhabitants.  The sophistication and elegance of the people who lived at that time in the city of Chania, was indeed  remarkable.