The 1-Minute Sari Craze

In today’s fast-paced world of 2-minute noodles, the 1-minute sari craze has swept across the nation. Love wearing saris, but do not know how to drape, fix the pleats, or pin the pallu, worry not, we have you covered. One minute is all it takes to don the six to nine-yard magic for any festive party or celebratory occasion.

Tradition + Innovation

Fashion has evolved to match the ever-changing trends and needs of people. Saris have always been an integral part of the Indian heritage, exuding poise, and sophistication. The elaborate process of draping a sari often discouraged women with busy schedules from adorning this cultural treasure. This is where the one-minute saree steps in, fusing tradition with innovation to offer a hassle-free, time-saving solution. A good quality 1-minute saree starts from Rs 3,000 and can go beyond Rs 20,000, depending on the fabric.

1-Minute Makeovers

From Priyanka Chopra’s brocade Banarasi silk pre-draped saree at NMACC gala to Jhanvi Kapoor’s pre-stitched Tarun Tahiliani’s saree, Indian celebrities and influencers are taking the high and hassle-free road to glamorous occasions. “For celebrities pre-draped saris are customised as per their measurements and desired looks. Customisation gives freedom to experiment and present a planned look,” explains Mayuri Biyani, a saree drape artist and tutor. She elucidates the reason why celebrities and influencers are jumping on the bandwagon of the 1-minute sari trend.

Art & Science

Draping saris in a particular style is not just an embodiment of fashion but also, centres around the geographical and daily activities of women in the region. The Nauvari sari (9 yards), with its shorter length and unique draping style, offers ease of movement and comfort in the climate, making it practical for everyday activities in Maharashtra. Similarly, the Kodagu style from Karnataka has pallu tucked neatly over the shoulder and the pleats tucked backwards. Perfect for the hilly terrain of Kodagu, allowing for ease of movement during daily chores.

Kalpana Shah, a renowned Mumbai-based sari draper, stylist, and tutor who paved her way from dancing to saree draping says, “They work for women who are completely unfamiliar with saris. My experience says they often don’t work on those who are particularly looking for a good fit of a sari on their body structure. Also, the styling of these pre-stitched saris are restricted to only one and not more.” Thus, pre-stitched saris prompt consumers to buy different pre-stitched sarees for different styles. Kalpana has draped saris on Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and many others in unique saree dressing styles.

However, being an NRI, Sasha Revankar was drawn to the concept of wearing a saree quickly. She founded One Minute Saree® and pioneered a new trend in the sari industry. “The idea was to make saree-wearing easy and accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world by providing an encompassing solution,” says Sasha.

Welcoming Multiple-gaze

Like Sasha, many NRIs and foreigners are smitten by the one-minute sari It solves all your sari-draping worries. Designed for the contemporary woman who juggles multiple roles and responsibilities, the 1-minute saree preserves the essence of the garment while eliminating the complexities of its traditional counterpart. Mayuri, who teaches sari draping, earns Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per student for one day (5-6 hours) course. She also teaches 27+ different styles of sari draping in the advanced 15-day course for Rs 30,000.

The Sari Statement

Apart from red carpets and fashion ramps, saris have also been used to make political statements by some notable politicians like former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Priyanka Gandhi amongst others. They have been worn as a symbol of protest and solidarity. Not to forget late actor Sridevi’s swaying chiffon saris in the  1989-blockbuster romantic drama Chandni, and Vidya Balan’s in the super hit film The Dirty Picture.

Gender-fluid drape  

The trend of pre-stitched saree has paved its way into gender-fluid fashion. “We have sizing flexibility. It fits any body type comfortably. We have done a few drag shows. The performers wore our saris and they looked absolutely stunning,” says Sasha.

Kalpana who has been in the saree draping business for more than 35 years says, “Pre-stitched saris are almost a decade old now but have posed no threat to the career of sari drapers. In fact, the new types of saris promote the culture of Indian sarees and that indirectly helps my profession too.”

“My experience says they often don’t work on those who are particularly looking for a good fit of a sari on their body structure.”— Kalpana Shah, saree draper, stylist and tutor

“The idea was to make sari-wearing easy and accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world by providing an encompassing solution.” — Sasha Revankar, founder One Minute Saree®