Wear the Change

Wear the Change is a documentary-led fashion project born from the harsh realities of climate change and its impact on health in urban African communities—specifically Durban, South Africa. The project traces the emotional and environmental aftermath of recurring floods and intensifying heatwaves, events that have reshaped the everyday lives of Durban’s most vulnerable residents.

Through intimate interviews, on-the-ground footage, and raw storytelling, Wear the Change captures the deep resilience of a community that continues to rebuild, adapt, and hold onto hope in the face of environmental crisis. The strength and spirit of these individuals became the heartbeat of the project, igniting a powerful question in the mind of designer and director Ropafadzo Mapira:
Can fashion respond to crisis—not just reflect it?

Moved by this resilience, Kuki channeled the documentary’s narrative into a fashion collection that acts as both a tribute and a solution. The garments were thoughtfully crafted using sustainable techniques and upcycled materials, inspired by the textures, colors, and survival tools of post-disaster life. Every silhouette in the collection tells a story of resistance, reimagining clothing as armor, as shelter, and as a symbol of environmental advocacy.

Wear the Change isn’t just a project—it’s a movement. It bridges the gap between fashion and activism, art and survival, reminding us that what we wear can be a reflection of who we stand for, and what we’re willing to fight for.