Meet the Woman Who Dresses Nita Ambani in Sarees, Earns Lakhs and Holds a World Record
From Saree Reluctance to Celebrity Stylist: How Dolly Jain Became the Woman Behind India’s Grandest Wedding Looks: Meet the Woman Who Dresses Nita Ambani in Sarees, Earns Lakhs and Holds a World Record: From the lavish weddings of Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, and Isha Ambani to the elegant sarees worn by Nita Ambani, one name has consistently stood out behind the scenes—Dolly Jain. Today, she is the go-to saree and lehenga draper for Bollywood stars and India’s most high-profile weddings.
- A Surprising Beginning:
Ironically, Dolly Jain once disliked wearing sarees. In an interview with the BBC, she revealed that she grew up in Bengaluru wearing jeans, skirts, and T-shirts. Her life changed after her marriage in Kolkata, where wearing sarees at her in-laws’ home was mandatory. Initially, she struggled and often cried, as it took her hours to drape a saree. - From Compulsion to Creativity:
What began as a compulsion slowly turned into passion. Dolly decided that if she had to wear sarees daily, she would learn to style them differently. She started experimenting with drapes, transforming the traditional garment into a canvas for creativity. - First Recognition in the Neighborhood:
Her unique draping styles soon drew praise at neighborhood weddings and festivals. Encouraged by the appreciation, Dolly began considering saree draping as a profession. Looking back, she credits her in-laws for shaping her journey, saying their strict rules ultimately defined her career. - Limca Book of Records Milestone:
Inspired by her father’s advice that recognition builds identity, Dolly practiced tirelessly—often from 11 pm to 3 am—draping sarees on mannequins. Her efforts paid off when she entered the Limca Book of Records for draping a saree in 80 different ways. A year later, she broke her own record by draping the same saree 325 ways and wearing a saree in just 18.5 seconds. - Entry into Bollywood:
Despite her achievements, breaking into Bollywood was not easy. Dolly never imagined working with top celebrities. Her turning point came in Mumbai when she got an opportunity to drape a saree for legendary actress Sridevi. The compliment—“There is magic in your fingers”—became a life-changing moment for her. - Big Break with Top Designers:
Another major breakthrough came when she dressed a bride wearing a lehenga by renowned designers Abu Jani–Sandeep Khosla. Impressed by her flawless draping, the designer duo offered her multiple opportunities. Since then, Dolly has worked with leading designers like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. - Indian Art of Draping:
Fifteen years ago, Dolly founded the Indian Art of Draping, at a time when saree draping was not considered a profession. She believes formal education is not essential in this field and says even a 10th-pass qualification is enough with skill and dedication. - Learning from Tradition:
During her learning phase, Dolly traveled to villages across India, observing women drape sarees in various traditional styles. These experiences helped her blend tradition with modern fashion. - Today’s Success:
Today, Dolly Jain leads a large professional team. Her draping fees start at ₹25,000 and can go up to several lakhs for high-profile weddings and events. From once resisting sarees to redefining them for celebrities, Dolly Jain’s journey is a story of perseverance, innovation, and turning tradition into a thriving profession.
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