Overview

Sari for Change is a women-led South African social enterprise and foundation creating green economy livelihoods through circular fashion. We upcycle pre-loved saris into contemporary resort wear and statement outerwear. By extending the life of existing fabrics, Sari for Change reduces textile waste, lowers carbon emissions, and demonstrates how heritage textiles can drive modern sustainability solutions.

Through the Sari for Change Foundation, we train women from underserved communities in sewing, garment construction, digital skills, personal development, and micro-enterprise. To date, we have trained over 120 women, positively impacting more than 300 household members. Our distributed hub model enables women to work close to home, earn a dignified income, and build climate-resilient livelihoods.

We have rescued more than 25,000 saris from landfills and produced over 8,000 handcrafted garments, proving the viability of circular production at the community level. Our work has been recognised by the SAB Foundation, Goldman Sachs & Fortune Media, SheTrades, and at COP28, with DHL supporting logistics as we scale.

Sari for Change represents a practical, culturally rooted solution to textile waste, women’s economic empowerment, and green economy job creation – demonstrating how craft, heritage, and sustainability can work together to transform communities.

Get in Touch