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  • Six Yards Many Styles

    • September 24, 2026
    Exploring Silhouette Through Saree Draping!

    The Department of Fashion Design at Yeldo Mar Baselios College (YMBC) successfully conducted "Six Yards, Many Styles", a professional saree draping workshop designed to deepen third-year students' understanding of garment construction, silhouette manipulation, and cultural styling. Held on 24 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Pattern Making Lab, the session offered hands-on exposure to both traditional and contemporary draping methodologies under the guidance of a celebrated industry expert. As part of the department's skill-based curriculum, the workshop aimed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application in ethnic wear styling. Students explored how a single unstitched fabric-typically five to nine yards-can be transformed through precise pleating, tucking, and draping techniques to create diverse silhouettes, from structured formal looks to fluid, contemporary aesthetics. Key learning outcomes included understanding the relationship between drape, grain, and silhouette in ethnic garments; mastering box pleat construction and uniform pleat distribution for clean front panels;applying pin placement strategies to secure pallu, pleats, and waist tucks for longevity during wear; and modern fusion styles (mermaid, pant-style, lehenga drape). The session was led by Ms. Mekha Murali, a renowned professional saree draping artist and celebrity drapist known for her work with brides, influencers, and fashion brands. With years of experience in high-profile styling, Ms. Murali brought industry-level precision and creative flair to the workshop. She began by demystifying the fundamentals of saree draping, walking students through the anatomy of a drape: petticoat alignment, waist tucking, pleat formation, and pallu placement. Emphasizing the importance of even pleat width (typically 5-6 inches) and consistent directionality, she demonstrated how minor adjustments in pleat depth or pallu angle can dramatically alter the garment's visual balance and body proportion. Ms. Murali then guided students through multiple draping styles, including the classic Nivi drape with front box pleats, Bengali double-pallu style with shoulder-to-shoulder drape, mermaid silhouette for curve-enhancing contemporary looks, and lehenga-style pleated drape for volume and structure. A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to individualized mentoring. Ms. Murali circulated among students, clarifying doubts, correcting hand positions, and helping each participant drape their own saree. She shared personal anecdotes about choosing draping as a profession, highlighting the growing demand for skilled drapists in bridal styling, fashion shoots, and retail training. A core technical component was box pleat construction, a technique essential for creating crisp, architectural front panels. Ms. Murali demonstrated how to fold fabric into alternating inward and outward pleats, secure them with internal pins, and tuck them symmetrically at the navel line for a polished finish. Students practiced achieving uniform pleat depth and learned how pleat count affects waist definition and hip coverage. The workshop also addressed fabric behavior-how silk, chiffon, georgette, and cotton respond differently to pleating and draping-and introduced cancan underskirts for added volume in party and bridal drapes. The session concluded with a showcase where students presented their draped sarees, receiving feedback on drape symmetry, pallu flow, and overall silhouette harmony. By integrating hands-on draping practice with industry insights, the workshop reinforced YMBC's commitment to producing fashion graduates who are not only design-literate but also technically proficient in ethnic wear styling-a critical skill in India's growing bridal and occasion-wear market.



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