What it took for Dolly Jain to become India's most loved saree draper

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.

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Nita Ambani is among the many clients who trust her work.

When Natasha Poonawalla made history at the Met Gala in a Sabyasachi saree paired with a Schiaparelli bustier, it was Dolly Jain who executed the complex draping of the embellished tulle saree. She is also the quiet common thread linking the wedding looks of Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. While each of them chose ethereal Sabyasachi ensembles for their big day, it was Jain who ensured every drape fell flawlessly.

Interestingly, it was never her plan to turn this into a full-fledged business. It was only after the late legendary actress Sridevi noticed her draping finesse that she decided to take it up professionally. That moment, Jain says, changed her life.

“Sridevi ji saw my drapes and said, ‘Dolly, you have magic in your fingers. Why don’t you take this up as a profession?’ That one sentence transformed my entire life. To this day, I silently thank her, wherever she is, because she is the reason I am where I am today,” Jain tells India Today.