How the Sari for Change Initiative is empowering women through sustainable fashion
They say that when you “empower women, you empower a nation.”
Women have the power to pass down skills to create a better life for future generations, which is why brands like Sari for Change are committed to empowering them.
Launched in 2015 to pilot a new business model in the fashion industry, Sari for Change, a social enterprise initiative, is redefining fashion by transforming discarded saris into stunning, sustainable garments that empower women and revitalise local economies.
“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 Edwards, the founder of Sari for Change, explained.
She added that many of the women they employ have never worked on a sewing machine before so they have upskilled them and taught 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,” said Edwards.
She added that teaching them how to weave enables the women to preserve the skill by passing it down to the next generation or to start their own businesses.
“First of all, these skills are deemed unattractive, yet it has stood the test of time in history,” said Edwards.
“We believe in teaching a woman to fish and to leave a community better than one found it. There will always be a need for clothing production so we best re-examine how we produce. We have framed these skills as clothing architects.”
To reach a wider audience and to amplify their message, Sari for Change often collaborates with like-minded brands. They recently collaborated with Pick ‘n Pay Clothing to launch a collection of beautiful wrap dresses that celebrate both style and sustainability.
“We wanted to demonstrate to the public how beautiful heritage and textiles and upcycled garments could look and feel,” Edwards explained.
“They bought into our idea and supported us through the production process, allowing for our Cosmo City trainees and makers' learnings to be fast-tracked,” Edwards explained.
She added that their Summer 25 collection was inspired by the rich Indian culture.
“It is about the whirling and turning of the Sufi dervish. Our frill kimonos are made from two different saris and it has this voluminous twirl that gives you movement and freedom.”
Edwards added: “We have used the Banarasi sari, a timeless piece of textile history and culture. These saris are not just garments; they are works of art crafted by skilled artisans.”
She explained that a Banarasi sari can take up to to six months to complete depending on the intricate designs.
“Our kaftans are also made from the bandhani sari, crafted through intricate tie-dye techniques, featuring classic patterns like Leheriya (waves), Ekdali (dots), and Shikari (animal shapes),” Edwards explained.
She added that no matter how fast the world can be, slow fashion will always be the core of the brand to promote eco-conscious practices by reducing waste and conserving resources.
“We all need to be kinder to our environment and with the textile industry being the biggest culprits of pollution, we wanted to change this.”
“Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams. What's more, 85 percent of all textiles go to the dump each year,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sari for Change was nominated at the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards for the Innovative Design and Materials Award presented by Polo South Africa.
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.