UP Warriorz partners Ekaya Banaras for 2026 Women’s Premier League kit
08 January 2025, Mumbai
In a groundbreaking move for the sportswear sector, UP Warriorz unveiled their 2026 Women’s Premier League kit in partnership with the team’s official design partner, Ekaya Banaras.
Titled, ‘A Blooming Rebellion,’ this new jerseys collection sublimates intricate Banarasi floral motifs onto high-performance textiles.
This partnership targets a growing global trend where ‘luxury sportswear’ is projected to drive significant market opportunity, blending traditional craftsmanship with the technical demands of T20 cricket.
Heritage motifs powering athletic identity
Central to the design is the symbolic ‘Buti’ or floral pattern, traditionally hand-woven in silk but now reimagined for high-velocity movement.
By utilizing advanced sublimation printing, the kit maintains the visual depth of a Banarasi saree while ensuring the moisture-wicking and aerodynamic properties required for professional play.
Read our latest issue
Through this collection, the brand rewrites the heritage language by placing it in a space historically defined by utility, states Palak Shah, CEO, Ekaya Banaras. This strategy aligns with a broader shift in fashion retail where brands leverage regional identity to deepen community engagement.
For the UP Warriorz, the rich yellow hue and patterned borders serve as a ‘visual bridge’ between the cultural pride of Uttar Pradesh and the modern ambition of its women athletes.
Scaling craft through commercial partnerships
While the initiative celebrates culture, it also addresses a critical business objective: market diversification.
As the textile industry faces volatile raw material costs, high-margin collaborations offer a strategic hedge. A supporter of over 10,000 weavers, Ekaya is utilizing this platform to transform Banarasi weaves into the daily lifestyle and sporting consciousness of a younger, value-conscious demographic.
With the activewear market estimated to reach $338.97 billion globally in 2026, the fusion of ‘Made in India’ luxury with professional sports apparel presents a scalable model for heritage brands looking to expand beyond traditional retail footprints.
A luxury handloom brand, Ekaya bridges the gap between traditional Banarasi weaving and contemporary global fashion.
Operating flagship stores in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, the label caters to premium domestic and export markets with a product mix ranging from bridal couture to ready-to-wear ‘pret’ collections. Under Shah’s leadership, the brand has maintained an operating revenue range of Rs 50–Rs 75 crore, with a strategic focus on artisanal empowerment and sustainable, tech-integrated design innovations.
Get in Touch! 
