Pre-loved saris are making a difference in South Africa thanks to a clever upcycling model that’s empowering women and contributing to the green economy. Meet Sari for Change!
South Africa (17 November 2024) — Social enterprise initiative Sari for Change is redefining fashion by transforming discarded saris into stunning, sustainable garments that are empowering women and revitalising local economies!
Founder Rayana Edwards explains: “Saris are such beautiful garments and are cherished by their wearers, but as new saris are bought, older ones are often relegated to the back of the cupboard. We offer a way to honour the legacy of these heritage saris and use them to create one-of-a-kind garments that will be worn with pride.”
Through Sari For Change’s pioneering fashion model, the act of donating a sari now plays a crucial role in upskilling and empowering another woman.
Saris for the Circular Economy
“Saris that may have been thrown away or packed away in a closet and forgotten about are transformed into unique garments by unemployed women in townships”, Rayana says.
“Many of the women whom we employ have never worked on a sewing machine before, so we upskill and teach them how to craft exclusive, sustainable pieces of clothing that can be sold to conscious customers. It’s a beautiful example of the circular economy in action,” shares Rayana.
Once-loved saris, often passed down through generations, now find new life as contemporary pieces that honour their heritage while embracing modern aesthetics in new designs. The intricate details and vibrant colours of the original saris are reimagined into designs like kaftans, kimonos, drawstring pants, and reversible jackets.
Goodbye Landfills, Hello Empowerment
“We champion sustainability and social impact. By upcycling saris, we divert beautiful textiles from landfills and promote eco-conscious practices by reducing waste and conserving resources,” Rayana furthers.
“Our initiative goes beyond upcycling; it’s a catalyst for women’s empowerment. By training unemployed women in townships and equipping them with valuable sewing skills that unlock a path to financial independence, we empower them to break free from poverty and become contributing members of their communities.”
Raya, who was recognised with the 2020 Global Leaders Women Award for her economic hubs, explains that “the training programme in our incubation hubs shifts women from being unemployed towards becoming self-sufficient, helping to alleviate poverty, and creating work whilst participating in South Africa’s economic growth.”
Related Story
Success in Numbers
To date, the Sari for Change Foundation has trained over 120 women, collected more than 15,000 saris, and transformed over 8,000 into sustainable garments.
You can learn more about Sari for Change here.
by 