Reworked saris off to New York
you have donated a sari to charity recently, there is a good chance it will be showcased in New York next month.
Former model and fashion designer Liz Ogumbo has fashioned new garments from items given to the Saris for Good Karma (SFGK) project.
Four months ago, Kenya-born Ogumbo joined forces with the Durban-based nonprofit organisation and now her work has taken on a new meaning. SFGK was started by Durban businesswoman Kanchana Moodliar. As part of the project, the public donate their old saris, which are used by underprivileged women to learn to sew and enable them to make a living.
Ogumbo, 35, spoke to the Sunday Times Extra at her Parktown North offices: “I have been in the fashion industry for 15 years — I was a model in New York before I became a fashion designer. Kanchana contacted me and we started chatting about the organisation. I was keen to get involved and flew to Durban to see what they were doing.
“I was gobsmacked when I walked into that room and saw saris of every colour under the sun stacked up to the ceiling — I was in designer heaven.”
Some of the saris have been turned into bags, shirts and cushion covers, but Ogumbo is making avant garde and haute couture masterpieces.
The Africa Fashion Week will take place in New York from July 15 to 20.
“I will showcase about 30 of my designs… many of the outfits in this collection were made with saris. I am in awe of saris, the prints, fabric, beadwork — it is a gorgeous piece of fabric. I fuse Indian and African fabric and prints together and I think it works well. Since I became part of SFGK, I finally feel fulfilled and satisfied. I am so excited to be doing something I love and at the same time elevating a woman and enabling her to be independent. This project is ethical and sustainable and I am happy to be giving back to the community,” said Ogumbo.
More than 50% of the proceeds from the collection will go to SFGK.
Moodliar said: “Fabric is expensive but because the saris are donated, it cuts costs. Since 2010, we have enabled more than 60 women to find work in the clothing and textile industry.”
For more information, visit www.sarisforgoodkarma.org.