Funshop with SareeNaSorry: Draping a saree with Poppy Jarman
Have you ever wanted to drape a saree? Spend an afternoon with Poppy and the team learning to drape a saree.
This Funshop is first and foremost designed for you to have fun! We’ll have over 20 preloved sarees in different colours and materials for you to drape. Guided by the expertise of Poppy, a saree collector and enthusiast, we’ll also explore identity and how it feels to wear a saree. This is a safe space to share experiences through fun and glamour.
The saree is the most inclusive item of clothing in the world, it is versatile and fits every ‘body’! It’s 5 to 9 metres of unstitched material which can be draped in more than 90 ways to fit any size or shape. Steeped in South Asian history, female power and identity, there is a weave, pattern, colour and style for every personality. The Saree is worn by people working in agriculture, art, construction, politics and at home. The Western world has categorised the saree as a ‘traditional’ costume, yet it’s the daily wear of millions of people all over the world, it’s normal, colourful, dynamic and a lot of fun.
Poppy Jaman is a British Bengali woman who has spent her life raising awareness globally on mental health and issues around gender equality. In her own words, Poppy shares her inspiration behind the SaraaNaSorry Funshop: ‘I’ve been creating Saree soirées amongst friends from the day I started partying and even more frequently as I ‘grew up’ enough to be hosting gatherings. I have the best memories of multi-generations of women draped in colour with stories to tell from Columbia to Australia. The saree is a vehicle that has bought to me “my people”, it has made strangers dearest friends. At the many soirées, I’ve experienced sisterhood, magic and always so much laughter. Over the years I’ve noticed the way women are drawn to different colours, draping styles and how they hold themselves once they have landed in the right place. How they become playful with their vanity, how confidence grows and usually some posing and dancing follows. However, the really incredible part is how women relax and then the stories emerge, some speak, others listen and everyone lets go a little. Everyone heals a little. As I often say, the saree to me is a big beautiful embrace, a big hug of colour and confidence.’
Draping up
We’ll be working on our own and in pairs to drape the saree, with our experts to guide and help you. There will be some physical contact to get the drape right for you and to get you looking and feeling amazing. Let us know if you need us to make any adaptations.
What to wear? We recommend you wear whatever top you feel comfortable in, for example crop tops, bikini tops, blouses, t-shirts all look great with a saree! On your bottom half we suggest a skirt, or leggings / trousers (ideally something with an elasticated waistline). Take a look at the following website for inspiration: https://thesariseries.com/how-to-drape-films
Feel free to bring accessories and make up to dazzle in your drape.
FAQs:
Is wearing a Saree cultural appropriation if I’m not from the community?
Culture sharing is important to SareeNaSorry and there is a difference between appropriation & appreciation. Appropriation is when a person/organisation uses or sells customs such as clothes, for their own gains, without acknowledging the meaning or its roots.
Are there age restrictions for the Funshop?
This Funshop will be for people 14+. Those under 16 will need a parent/guardian with them.
Doors will open at 12:45, please do not arrive before then.
Limited spaces available, booking essential. Please join the waitlist if the event is sold out. Book tickets via Eventbrite or through us directly by emailing info@twotempleplace.org or phoning 0207 836 3715.
Please get in touch with us for information about ticket concessions. If you are experiencing economic difficulty and would like to take part in this event, please get in touch with us at info@twotempleplace.org.
This event has been programmed as part of a series of events to accompany the exhibition Lives Less Ordinary. For more public events, please click here.
For information on how to plan your visit, please check the Visit Us page.
*Please note that we are a small organisation. If you want to cancel your ticket within 1 week of the event, we can’t offer a refund but will try to transfer your ticket to a similar event in the future. If cancelling 48 hours before the event, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer your ticket. If you request a refund at any time, you will be charged a fee by Eventbrite.
