Let’s be honest, the love for the nine-yard garment – the elegant saree – will always have a special place in the heart of Indian women. From traditional fabrics to draping styles, it’s a love saga that never seems to cease. It was a perfect afternoon then on International Women’s Day, when leading hospitality group, Accor invited its women members of ALL–Accor Live Limitless, its lifestyle loyalty program – to an engaging saree styling workshop at the Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road by none other than Celebrity Stylist Dolly Jain.
The event was part of the brand’s loyalty program, which besides savings and rewards, also includes ‘Accor Limitless Experiences’. As part of #LimitlessExperiences, Accor’s esteemed members can indulge in a wide range of activities and unforgettable experiences, and this was just one of them! Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road played host for this exciting masterclass and also organised a wonderful high-tea set-up for its guests with delicious nibbles like chaat, rolls, and even pretty desserts that were draped in pleated fabric-like fondant in keeping with the theme of the afternoon!
Members were eager to meet and chat with the renowned Dolly Jain who has worked with all the big names in Bollywood. Known for her excellent styling tricks, insightful tips, and making the nine-yard look beautiful and effortless as ever, Dolly is also quite the Instagram sensation! She also holds multiple records including one for draping a saree in just 18.5 seconds and another for draping a saree in over 325 ways!
At the event, there was a palpable buzz and excitement in the air before it began and once it started, the women listened with rapt attention, some even taking notes and videos. Besides sharing eye-opening tips and tricks, the effervescent Dolly also regaled members of ALL with Bollywood stories, how she got into styling, and her love for sarees. She also answered tons of questions on saree fabrics, draping styles, storing them, and lots more. Dolly shared how simple tweaks and tucks can elevate this garment we all love so much, but are sometimes intimidated of. Here are some of her tips –
Dolly Jain’s Expert Saree Styling Tips:
- Contrary to popular belief of tying a petticoat extremely tight before draping your saree, Dolly, in fact suggests that for heavier sarees and lehengas where draping is required, tie the petticoat or d’coat comfortably and once fully draped, one can tighten the petticoat and then tuck the saree. This will ensure you’re not uncomfortable or constricted right from the start.
- She also suggested never to spread the saree pleats apart before tucking as that will make your midriff look wider.
- If you love organza sarees but worried whether or not it will suit your body type, Dolly suggests getting one with more silk in it. “The more silk in your organza, the better it will fall,” she says.
- When pinning the pallu, avoid pinning it right on the shoulder and instead let it fall back and pin the pallu at the back. This will ensure your pallu doesn’t keep falling to the front as you move around or bend forward.
- For a pleated pallu, the longer you leave it at the back, the taller and slimmer you will look as the vertical pallu elongates you. Dolly points out that if you keep the pallu short, it will make you look shorter and wider.
- If you’ve always been confused about where to start making your pleats from, Dolly advises measuring the front drape until the horizontal princess line and then making your pleats. This will ensure there is no extra fabric left to tuck at the end of pleats.
- When it comes to storing sarees, she advises keeping the saree blouse separate from the saree to avoid any colour bleeding or threads being pulled from embroidery.
- Dolly also advises against folding your saree immediately after wearing, and instead suggests airing it out, but not in the sunshine.
- Excess heat can damage sarees in the long run, so if you’d like to pass on those heirloom sarees, she suggests not ironing the saree often, and instead only ironing it just before wearing it. Do this with a muslin cloth placed between the saree and iron to act like a barrier for the intense heat.
- Lastly, practise your pleats, she says. That’s the only way you will master the art of draping
The masterclass was hosted at the Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road that offers different categories of beautiful rooms that are sleek and come with all modern-day amenities. The property features facilities like a serene rooftop swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym, a coffee shop with scrumptious bites, a casual dining restaurant Blue Terrain.
ALL – Accor Live Limitless is the loyalty program from Accor designed to reward the individual spirit. With over 40 brands that make up more than 5,500 hotels around the world – including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and ibis Styles – members never have to worry about blackout dates when using ALL Reward points to pay for some or all of their hotel stay. Offering amazing flexibility, ALL Reward points can also be redeemed towards dining, merchandise, charitable donations, partners and even spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
