ALAPPUZHA: From drawing the attention of celebrities to people in power, Clare Maria Sebastian is going places. The 23-year-old from Kainakary, Kuttanad, who rose to national prominence with her exceptional sari-draping skills, recently received praise from Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
Satheesan contacted Clare by phone after reading a front-page feature on her inspiring journey published in TNIE.
During the conversation, he congratulated the young entrepreneur on her achievements and hailed her dedication and talent. Clare said the CM described multi-talented youngsters as valuable assets to the state and assured her that he would arrange a meeting with her shortly.
“I am extremely happy and honoured that the chief minister appreciated my achievements,” Clare said.
Over a short span, Clare has built an impressive clientele that includes some of the country’s most influential women and leading personalities from the entertainment industry.
Her work has adorned business icon Nita Ambani and several prominent Mollywood actresses, including Amala Paul, Ansiba Hassan, Nimisha Sajayan, Dhanya Varma, Anjali Nair, Mareena Michael, Saritha Jayasurya, and Navami, wife of rapper Vedan, among many others.
Clare’s passion for sari draping began during her school days at St Mary’s HSS, Champakulam, where she would often drape sarees for cousins and neighbours. However, the turning point in her life came in 2022 while she was pursuing a BBA degree at St Paul’s College, Kalamassery.
During the college Onam celebrations, her friend Rinsa Parveen requested Clare’s help in draping a sari. Impressed by the final look, Rinsa recorded a video and shared it on Instagram. The response was overwhelming. Encouraged by public appreciation, Rinsa created an Instagram page, ‘Drapes by Clare’, and began posting more videos showcasing Clare’s work. One of the videos soon went viral, opening new opportunities.
What started as a simple passion quickly transformed into a successful profession. Clare began receiving assignments from actors, social media influencers, and high-profile clients. Her expertise in sari draping has taken her to destination weddings and events in Thailand, Bahrain, and Bangkok.
The profession has not only brought Clare recognition but also helped her achieve financial stability for her family.
