Sari for Change, provides employment to women

South African designer Rayana Edwards is working on an innovative concept to

train unemployed women to make new garments out of recycled saris by incorporating traditional African and Muslim kaftan designs. The ' Sari for Change' project aims to promote sustainability while boosting job creation in developing markets like India.

'Sari for Change' is an incubation project, where intern designers, seamstresses and beaders use fabric from donated saris to create exquisite new handmade garments like kaftans , which have an appeal even in other countries. Artisans make use of beadwork, hand embroidery, crochet trim and other techniques, incorporating traditional African elements into their designs. The project employs women who know to make use a sewing machine but lack knowledge about marketing. Edwards provides them with on-the-job training for several months before they qualify to be the professionals.

The women are then encouraged to launch their own businesses closer to where they live, while still receiving mentoring. Edwards has earlier worked largely in property development but later pursued her love for fashion and clothing by opening her first high-end ladies' boutique.