The DisruptHER Dolly Jain
She couldn’t complete her education beyond 7th grade. She always dreamt of becoming a homemaker like her mom. She certainly didn’t have any professional aspirations and had happily got married at the tender age of 21. When her mother-in-law insisted that she wears only sarees, she cried and cribbed about it. Dolly Jain’s journey from not knowing how to drape a saree to becoming an ace celebrity saree draper is one that evokes awe and a lot of respect.
“The first time I ever wore a saree was when my husband and his family had come to see me for the first time. Since then, there’s not been a single day when I have not worn a saree. The only difference is that earlier I used to drape a saree with an unhappy heart and later I embraced it as an extension of my personality,” says Dolly, adding her attitude towards saree made all the difference.
Dolly reminisces her father’s wise words to her when he told her to do everything, no matter how big or small it is, with a smile on her face and the intent to do it perfectly. “When I realised the inevitable presence of saree in my life, I just trained my mind to embrace it wholeheartedly. I feel over the years I have been able to glamourise saree as a sartorial pick in my own way. No matter which party I go to – be it a pool party or a cocktail party – I invariably slip into a saree and sometimes pair it with a bralette blouse to dial up the glam appeal,” says Dolly.
A die hard fan of late actress Sridevi, Dolly reminisces her encouraging words when she had met her for the first time. “My uncle is a film producer and at some event of his, I happened to see Sridevi. When I noticed that she had spilled something on her saree, I volunteered to help fix her saree just in the hope of spending some extra time with the actor. While I was doing the pleats of her saree, I caught her looking at my fingers transfixed. She then caught hold of my hand and told me that my fingers had some magic. Her words ‘Why don’t you take it up as a profession?’ changed my life and since then there has been no looking back,” shares Dolly.
With a hope in her heart, she told her family that she wanted to give it a shot and drape sarees professionally. While everyone laughed at the idea, it was Dolly’s father who told her, “You have 6 months to make a name for yourself in this profession. If you’re not able to do anything, we won’t ever talk about it,” recalls Dolly.
Dolly went through her own share of struggles in the initial days. “Sometimes I don’t even want to remember my days of struggle, because it brings back memories of turmoil I had gone through. In hindsight I feel it was because of challenging situations and naysayers around me that today I have become a name to reckon with,” says Dolly, highlighting how perseverance and will power can open doors of opportunities that one never knew existed in the first place.
Today she drapes sarees for the who’s who of the country. From Nita Ambani to Sonam Kapoor, Dolly has clearly become the go-to person for anyone who wants to make a statement in a saree. Ask her where it all began and she is all praise for fashion designer Sandeep Khosla. “He was the one who noticed my art of draping a saree at a big fat Indian wedding. I had helped a bride, who was complaining about the weight of her saree. I styled it in such a way that she felt immediately at ease and super comfortable. This is when Sandeep got in touch with me and recommended my name to celebrities,” she narrates.
Through her art, Dolly has not only just been able to make a name for herself, but she has also changed the narrative of her life. From being dependent on her family for monetary needs to now being actively involved in financial decision-making at her house, Dolly feels empowered and happy. Sharing an anecdote, Dolly mentioned that there was one instance when her husband had asked her to return him the remaining sum of money out of some money that he had lent to her. “That was the day I learnt that the person who lends you the money will always have an influence on how much you spend it and where you spend it,” remembers Dolly.” From always asking her husband or mother in law for money, not getting the required sum of money she wanted at times to today calling the shots when it comes to finance-related decisions, Dolly says the feeling is indescribable. “Financial empowerment has earned me a lot of respect. Today, I sit on dining table with my husband and mother-in-law and together we take financial decisions,” shared Dolly.
One thing that stands out about Dolly is that she’s supremely affable and easy-going with absolutely no affectations. “I have stayed the same person with my dear ones. Fame and success has had no bearing on how I interact with people around me,” says Dolly.
On being asked if she ever felt shy of working with big names in the industry, Dolly says, “Not really. I have always been comfortable in my skin and represented myself as I am. However, I do have a favourite and that’s Deepika Padukone. She’s always so warm and inviting.” Incidentally, Dolly also happened to mention that she didn’t know the English language that well. “My daughters really helped me with that. I would tell them to speak to me in English and my elder daughter would give me difficult words to memorise each day. So, this really helped me get a better hold on the language,” she shares proudly.
Dolly Jain’s story bears testimony to the fact that the right attitude, perseverance and self belief can take one to places, change one’s fortune and make one a name to reckon with.
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