Bili BraWear is a very original and promising South African fair-trade social business. The company handcrafts and sells removable beaded bra straps.

Authentically South African, the straps replace regular bra straps with a colourful and comfortable “worn to be seen” alternative. By attaching to strapless bras, Bili bra straps represents a confluence of South African art, fashion, craft and culture.

As a company, it strives to build into the brighter future of South Africa by creating sustainable jobs. Each pair of straps empowers a previously disadvantaged mother in Wallacedene, a township 45 minutes outside Cape Town.

It seeks to address economic inclusivity by taking industry to the townships, and thereby empowering mothers to earn a sustainable income.

Earlier this month, Bili Beadwear was invited to exhibit its products at the wellknown Maison&Objet (link) in Paris. The trip was supported by WESGRO, the trade and investment platform of the Western Cape province (link),