Success Stories
Balini: pioneering inclusive fashion using Braille
Today’s story is our third and final one in our Human Rights Month 2025 series. It’s edgy and fresh and will inspire you to think bigger and bolder about what’s possible when we really want to make a positive difference.
At Saint Giles NPO for the Disabled, we strive to serve as many people as we can, particularly those living with disabilities. We’ve done this for more than 70 years, celebrating every time we discover new organisations doing similar work. Keep scrolling to learn more about Balini™, the adaptive fashion brand taking the world by storm.
“Please consider us as a beneficiary for your corporate and personal charity donations — we offer a Section 18A certificates to verify your donations as tax deductibles.”
Everyone can cater for the Disabled
Balini™ reflects that signature South African spirit of ‘Ubuntu’. Founder, Balini Naidoo-Engelbrecht, doesn’t personally live with any disabilities but actively invests her life into serving those who do.
What inspired Balini™ into existence?
Inclusive fashion has been an important cause for Balini Naidoo-Engelbrecht for many years. One day she noticed her visually impaired uncle trying to identify his own clothing in his wardrobe; she realised that Braille could be used to help him through this process.
Think about it: so many of us take for granted the joy of being able to physically see the clothing items on display in a storefront window, or choose between colours on the clothing rails inside — even just laying out our outfit for the day ahead when we wake up every day.
The dignity and efficiency that comes with being able to choose our own clothes is something that Balini is bringing to blind and partially sighted people as her business continues to grow.
What makes Balini™ so special as a fashion brand?
Balini developed the Braille Identification System, which empowers visually impaired people to navigate their own fashion choices independently. Braille forms an actual part of the clothing garments, allowing those who have learned the language to independently select the garments they want.
Different qualities about fashion products can be communicated to visually impaired shoppers using this system:
- Item colour and size
- Manufacturing origins
- Garment care instructions
- Fabric composition
- Image/pattern artwork
- Designer or brand
Over 2 billion people around the world experience life with some kind of visual impairment (Listek, 2025). Esteemed institutions around the world are investing more resources to research and develop technology in service to this community. The fashion industry has seen a number of exciting developments, from the Braille clothing Balini™ produces all the way to 3D polyjet printing technology which could lead to the standardised mass production of Braille-inclusive clothing labels.
What’s on offer at the moment, from Balini™?
The company’s mission goes far beyond the way a garment looks, rather recognising it as a tool for self-expression and inclusivity. There are ready-to-wear collections, custom corporate branding services, bespoke design projects and training programmes.
In an industry as highly competitive as fashion and textiles, it’s rare to see brands defining their culture on sharing their knowledge — we find it refreshing and inspirational that Balini leads her team with an open mind and willingness to go against the grain.
From design thinking to hand-holding aspiring designers through their own product development journey via training, Balini™ is redefining adaptive fashion for a more inclusive world.
Partnerships for progress
Major partners so far for Balini™ include Dove and Woolworths, and it’s clear that there’s space for more brands around the globe to get involved and help make fashion more accessible to visually impaired people.
If you’re equally passionate about creating an equitable society where human rights are more than just concepts we discuss, but tangibly protected and upheld by our daily actions, it’s time to get involved. Reach out to us or browse the Balini™ website with your questions.
Let’s confront prejudice against the Disabled
We see so often that someone living with a physical disability automatically gets treated as if their IQ is below average or they’re financially destitute. Be careful not to make any assumptions — there are some really successful people who happen to live with disabilities.
In the spirit of Human Rights Month, we believe that it’s our responsibility to remind you of these things. Fashion is something we all interact with; high-quality brands like Balini™ catering specifically for the visually impaired at a global scale proves that disabilities don’t have to result in settling for second best.
Words of encouragement from Balini and team
“Your vision and creativity can drive meaningful change. The barriers you face today can become the foundation of innovation that benefits many others. Stay resilient, embrace your passion, and use your unique perspective to create something impactful—because what you do for others will live on forever.
At Balini™, we believe that beauty is in accessibility and that your uniqueness is your strength. Keep pushing boundaries, and know that the world is ready for your voice and vision.”
References:
Balini. 2025. Available at: https://balini.co.za/ [Last accessed 28 March 2025].
Ihlenfeldt, J-M. 2025. Business Manager. Personal interview. 25 March 2025.
Listek, V. 2025. Braille in fashion: how university research is breaking barriers, one tag at a time. Article online. 3dprint. 10 February. Available at: https://3dprint.com/315987/braille-in-fashion-how-university-research-is-breaking-barriers-one-tag-at-a-time/ [Last accessed 27 March 2025].
Naidoo-Engelbrecht, B. 2025. Founder. Personal interview. 25 March 2025.
Silverberg, D.2023. These fashion designers are putting braille right on their clothing. Article online. Fast company. 1 March. Available at: https://www.fastcompany.com/90852271/these-fashion-designers-are-putting-braille-right-on-their-clothing [Last accessed 28 March 2025].
Valodia, A. 2025. Founder and Director. Personal interview. 19 March 2025.