02 / Saree Draping

The finish is in the detail.

Pleats, fall and proportion settled on the body, so the drape holds its line once you are moving in it.

Full-length teal silk drape showing the pleats and pallu, beside a carved wooden door.

In brief

Artist: Oviya Kumaran, founder & makeup artist.
Where: Working between Dehiwala and Colombo. Exact location is confirmed when the appointment is arranged.
Occasions: bridal, engagement, graduation, party, photoshoot, pre-wedding shoot, advertisement and other special occasions.
Also offered: Saree pre-pleating, pleated before, ready to wear.

The approach

A drape is structural before it is decorative. Where the pleats sit, how deep they run and where the fabric is anchored decide whether it reads as sharp or as fussy.

Weight leads. Silk, cotton and georgette do not fall the same way, so the finish is set to the fabric in hand rather than to a fixed method.

In practice

01
Proportion
Pleat depth and drop set against height and the outfit, so the line stays long.
02
Fall
The fabric checked in movement, not only standing still in front of a mirror.
03
Anchoring
Secured where it is not seen, so nothing has to be held in place through the evening.

Training

DUO Saree Draping Masterclass 2025

Conducted by Thivyan Jayareuben on Instagram and Keevan Rajaratnam.

Arunthathee · BMICH, Colombo · 11 January 2025Certificate of participation

Peach silk saree with a purple and gold zari border, the pallu pleated over the shoulder, worn with a long kundan and pearl necklace, a waist chain and purple bangles.

Fabric behaves. It is a question of how it is asked.

One drape

Pleat, drape, form, finish.

A single pink silk saree, read at four distances.

01
Pleat
The front pleats, falling straight from the waist.
02
Drape
The pallu over the shoulder, held at the waist by a belt.
03
Form
The whole line, shoulder to hem.
04
Finish
Jewellery, hair and the drape, read as one look.

Photography @abinayaa.kumaran

A green silk saree pre-pleated and folded on a hanger, its gold and magenta border falling in even pleats beside the pallu.

Also offered

Saree pre-pleating.

Pleated before.Ready to wear.

Pre-pleating means the pleats are set before the saree is draped, rather than folded as it goes on.

It begins with a personal measurement visit. Your saree is handed over at least four days before the event, and pleated professionally to your measurements.

Once it is prepared, it takes about two minutes to wear: wrap, secure, adjust — ready.

Oviya trained in saree pleating and draping with AK Saree Pleating, Jaffna. Pre-pleating is for special occasions and is booked ahead; if you would like your saree pre-pleated, say so when you enquire.

Enquire about pre-pleating

In motion