From simple pleats to royal flounce – Dolly Jain, the drape expert has it all to her credit. She has developed a unique style of her own, reflecting the ancient traditions of India in a contemporary vocabulary. Her understanding of the structure of a piece of cloth and the innovative use of her skill has created a new classicism for Indian women across the globe.
In her experience, Dolly noticed that most women have a misconception that a sari limits their mobility. But the key, she finds, is effective draping – which is exactly what she has set out to accomplish. Dolly is recognised worldwide, for her notable drapes for her niche clientele, including an impressive list of names from the Indian film industry such as Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and many more. She also takes pride in dressing up members from prominent Industrial families such as Neeta Ambani, Isha Ambani Parimal, Shloka Ambani Mehta, Usha Mittal and Sangeeta Jindal.
One of the most common responses when asked why women don’t wear saris regularly is that they find it cumbersome to drape. Many of them will also tell you that it limits their mobility. Both statements make Dolly Jain cringe. “It’s the quickest way to get dressed and when draped correctly, it can never hinder mobility,” says the celebrity drape artist. Incidentally, Kolkata-based Jain holds the world record for draping a sari in 18.5 seconds. What’s more, she can drape one in 325 different ways, and holds a world record for that as well. With over 15 years of experience, she has an enviable client list — Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and many more…..
Her relationship with sarees started on a resentful note. Every morning, she would wake up early and wrestle with the six yards, its pleats, and its endless expanse, struggling through it all on her own because her mother-in-law insisted she “only wear sarees.” But three decades later, Dolly Jain is the country’s most sought-after saree draper who charges lakhs to perfect those pleats.
As a girl, Dolly Jain was fascinated with her mother’s sarees.
She learnt the art when she got married into a household which ‘only allowed to wear sarees’.
To keep things different and exciting, she started to drape her saree differently regularly.
“Fortunately, I got married to a family where I was allowed only to wear a saree. Then I thought if this is my garment and I have to wear only thing, then let me style this,” she tells SBS Hindi.
“I started to wear sarees in different drapes and everybody loved the way I carried my saree. That’s how I got into it.”
We keep conducting workshops in different cities. Fill in the form through this link, and you’ll be notified about the details of the workshop, happening in your city or town.
I have a team of specially trained saree drapists, who can help you out for your event. Also, if you are travelling and you’d like me to style the drape of your saree — we can pre-drape it, for you to carry along.
It is advisable to book 4 months in advance.
I source Saree Pegs / Belt / Clutch / Safety Pins etc from Drape Divaa :
