This is Threads of Transformation — a regenerative fashion initiative that brings together communities scarred by war to create, heal, and reimagine their futures.
War to Clothing of Renewal
Founded by designer Saskia Lenaerts in collaboration with Business for Better Society on the belief that creativity can be a powerful tool for recovery, and fashion a genuine sphere for activism, Threads of Transformation works with survivors of conflict. Using disregarded military surplus as the primary source material, participants deconstruct and reconstruct garments, transforming objects once associated with traumatic experiences into wearable works of art.
This process is more than upcycling. It’s an act of symbolic resistance — breaking down the codes and hierarchies stitched into military dress — and replacing them with narratives of resilience, skill, and community pride. These garments become consequential beyond their wear-ability.
A Circular, Collaborative Model
The project’s approach is community driven. Materials are salvaged and repurposed, skills are shared, and the making process is collaborative at every stage. By supporting and working with BBS’s local non-profit partners Remember Youth for Change in Goma, DRC, and soon with SPEAK in Uganda, Threads of Transformation ensures that economic opportunity and creative agency remain in the hands of those directly affected by conflict.
Every stitch is part of a larger repair — not just of fabric, but of livelihoods, identities, and trust.
Why This Matters Now
Around the world, the fashion industry is grappling with its environmental impact and its reliance on exploitative and imbalanced labour practices. Yet too often, conversations about “sustainable fashion” ignore communities living in the aftermath of war — where sustainability is not a trend, but a daily necessity for survival.
Threads of Transformation shows that ethical fashion can go further: it can be a tool for social healing. It demonstrates how design can challenge entrenched systems, bridge divides, and create new pathways for dignity and self-reliance.
How You Can Support
Your support helps us expand to new communities, train more participants, and turn more decommissioned uniforms into garments of transformation.
🧵 Donate today through our acts of kindness fundraiser on Global Giving
🤝 Partner with us: Bring your organisation, resources, or expertise into our growing network.
🧵 Spread the word: Share our story and help amplify the voices of those who are redesigning their futures, one stitch at a time.
Thank you,
Saskia Lenaerts
BBS Note: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Saskia for her time and commitment to Threads of Transformation. We have learned so much from her about design and creativity, and we deeply value the passion and shared dedication she brings to the nonprofits we support across Africa. Saskia’s efforts are making a tangible impact in the communities we serve, and we are truly grateful for her partnership.
📸 Remember Youth for Change
