Whenever we think of saree draping done to perfection, one name instantly comes to mind and that is Dolly Jain. From Ambani weddings to Bollywood red carpets, she is the woman everyone calls for picture-perfect draping. But what makes her journey inspiring is the fact that she once hated sarees.
How did Dolly Jain begin her saree draping journey?
Dolly Jain was born and raised in Bengaluru. Her life changed after marriage when she moved into a traditional house in Kolkata at the age of 21. That is when the saree entered her life, not by choice, but by family rules.
In an interview with Telegraph India, Dolly shared that the women in her husband’s family wore only sarees. In the beginning, she disliked it so much that she would cry about it. But as days passed, something shifted.
She told Telegraph India, “In the initial days, my experience was not great because I hated saris, but at my in-laws’ home I was only allowed to wear a sari. I think I slowly fell in love with how interesting the garment was. When I started falling in love with the sari, that’s how the initial draping thing started.”
What started as a forced routine slowly turned into a passion and later, into a profession.
The turning point: From a helping hand to a career
Dolly did not train under anyone. She learnt by watching, experimenting and practicing on herself and other women. She focused on one rule, sarees should look beautiful but more importantly, they should feel comfortable.
This ‘comfort-first’ approach became her signature style. One day, while she was attending a big fat Indian wedding, she helped a bride who was struggling with a heavy saree. Dolly adjusted the drape in such a way that the bride instantly felt relaxed without compromising on the look. That single act changed everything.
In a conversation with Times Now, Dolly shared that it was fashion designer Sandeep Khosla who spotted her talent that day. Impressed by her skill, he recommended her name to celebrities. That was the start of her journey into the world of stars and high-profile weddings.
Draper for India’s most elite events
Once word spread, there was no looking back. From Bollywood actors to billionaires, Dolly became the go-to name for anyone who wanted a neatly draped saree that stayed in place for hours.
She famously draped sarees during the Ambani family weddings, a project that included 101 wedding events. Yet, she says she treated it like any other client assignment.
Speaking to Telegraph India, she said, “I always treat all my clients with the same importance. Even for the Ambani wedding, I did no special preparations for me, it was a wedding where I had to give my 100 per cent like I do for others.”
357 ways to drape a saree
Dolly holds a Limca Book of Records entry for knowing how to drape a saree in 357 different styles. Hyderabadi, Gujarati, Assamese, Rajasthani, she can do it all. Every fold holds a blend of tradition as well as modern touch.
Her work is not just about draping. She also offers styling guidance, from jewellery to hairstyle to create a complete look.
According to Siasat, Dolly charges between Rs 35,000 to Rs 2,00,000 per saree draping, depending on the occasion and detailing the saree requires.
How saree draping changed Dolly’s financial status in her family
Dolly often talks about how this journey changed her life beyond fashion. Before she started draping sarees professionally, she was financially dependent on her family. But today, she contributes to financial decisions at home.
Her journey from someone who cried at the thought of wearing a saree to becoming India’s most respected celebrity saree draper shows if there is a will then there’s a way.
