South African fashion designer Balini Naidoo Engelbrecht is pioneering inclusivity in fashion with her innovative brand, Balini Braille Clothing, offering stylish apparel inspired by Braille for the visually impaired.
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To cater to the needs of the visually impaired with both style and functionality, Naidoo Engelbrecht designs everyday leisure wear adorned with easily identifiable Braille prints.
She has also forged a recent partnership with Woolworths, set to debut her collection to customers by the end of June.
Naidoo Engelbrecht teamed up with Dove to unveil a Braille-inspired dress at this year’s Durban July, showcasing her commitment to accessibility and innovation in fashion.
Born and raised in Somerset West, the 33-year-old attended local primary and high schools before beginning her educational journey with a foundational course in architecture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Realising her passion for fashion design, she switched to Durban University of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Technology diploma in fashion and textile design.
Naidoo Engelbrecht had the idea to start Balini Braille Clothing while working on a business study project in varsity
Her venture into Braille fashion was inspired by witnessing the challenges her blind uncle faced in identifying everyday items.
‘I had an uncle who was visually impaired, and I noticed his daily struggles when it came to clothing,’ she told News24.
This experience became the catalyst for creating a brand that aims to make fashion accessible to the visually impaired.
Naidoo Engelbrecht explains that Balini Braille Clothing incorporates a unique identification system that assists visually impaired people in identifying different aspects of clothing.
‘It helps in how to identify the colour of the garment, the size, the care label and how to style the garments together.’
This allows users to independently manage their wardrobes without relying on others.
Her design style features earthy tones and neutral colors, reflecting her affinity for natural aesthetics and architectural influences.
Read also:
Cape Town’s first blind tour guide leads the way to inclusive tourism
Picture: Woolworths/Facebook
