The most emblematic garment in South Asian, or more specifically Indian culture is the saree. This timeless piece of clothing is more than just fabric, in most houses it’s a symbol of heritage passed down through generations. From grandmothers who first bought it to mothers who lovingly lent it, the saree often serves as an inexpensive yet invaluable family heirloom.
However, the art of draping a saree — an essential skill in bringing this garment to life — is slowly fading from memory. Ironically, those who seem to be most affected by this loss are A-listers and celebrities. Today, many actors and celebrities don’t drape their own sarees, even for significant events like weddings.
Instead, they rely on professionals to do it for them; enter Dolly Jain, a professional saree draper who has become a go-to expert in this art form. Dolly Jain’s journey began when her mother-in-law insisted that the then 20-year-old learn to drape the five-and-a-half meters of fabric every day. What started as a daily routine turned into a passion and Dolly's expertise eventually caught the eye of the monarchs of the the fashion world, leading her to work with Nita Ambani, wife of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani.
Dolly has since become the preferred draper for the Ambani family especially for high-profile events like the wedding of their son, Anant Ambani with Radhika Merchant. A post shared by Dolly Jain 🇮🇳 (@dolly.jain) While Dolly does preserve the conventional ways of drapi.