Ekaya translates Banarasi heritage into UP Warriorz’s new kit

Luxury, craft driven fashion brand Ekaya has partnered with the UP Warriorz to translate Banarasi heritage into the cricket team’s new sporting kit, including a women’s jersey titled “A Blooming Rebellion,” designed to fuse modern sport with heritage craft.

 
“UP Warriorz was created with the belief that when women step forward, they don’t just play sport, they shape culture,” said Capri Sports’ director Jinisha Sharma in a press release. “This jersey is an extension of that belief. Our collaboration with Ekaya brings together Banarasi heritage and modern ambition, creating a playing kit that carries meaning beyond the field. It represents the pride of Uttar Pradesh, the strength of its women, and a future where tradition and progress coexist, confidently and visibly.”
 
The UP Warriorz x Ekaya collaboration was conceived to celebrate identity, ambition, and cultural pride, with Ekaya as the team’s official design partner. Traditional floral motifs, chosen for their symbolism of strength and renewal, create the impression of silk on performance textiles in a rich yellow hue and the patterned border is reminiscent of a saree border.

 
“At Ekaya, we’ve always believed in women shaping narratives,” said Ekaya Banaras’ founder and CEO Palak Shah. “In a craft ecosystem traditionally owned, woven, and traded by men, we chose to build a house that is represented, led, and worn by women. Cricket, too, has long been seen as a gentleman’s sport. So, when the opportunity came to create for a women’s cricket team carving their own place within it, the decision felt instinctive. I think this collaboration comes from a shared belief in changing perspectives, uplifting women, and reimagining what legacy craft can stand for today.”

Ekaya describes itself as India’s first luxury handloom brand and retails from its flagship stores in New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as online. Capri Sports is part of Capri Global Holding’s portfolio, which also spans a range of financial areas.