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Ekaya translates Banarasi heritage into UP Warriorz’s new kit

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January 7, 2026

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.

A closeup of the UP Warriorz x Ekaya jersey – Capri Sports

 
“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.

The UP Warriorz x Ekaya jersey
The UP Warriorz x Ekaya jersey – Capri Sports

 
“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.  

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Russell & Bromley physical stores at risk in potential takeover

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January 12, 2026

Recent news that Next was eyeing an acquisition of Russell & Bromley has been added to with reports that it has teamed up with a stock clearance specialist and that the premium footwear chain’s stores could disappear from the high street.

John Lewis/Russell & Bromley

The company is reportedly working with Retail Realisation on its offer for the retailer, a fact that reinforces Next’s interest in the IPR rather than the physical business.

Retail Realisation is a liquidation with links to Modella Capital, the company that controls TOFS and Claire’s UK, both of which are said to be in danger of administration filings.

Not that Next is a shoe-in as the new owner with its proposal said to be one of a number currently being considered by Russell & Bromley’s adviser Interpath.

Acquisition-hungry Next is also believed to be looking at a takeover deal for another key name in UK footwear, the distressed LK Bennett business.

Sky News cited “industry sources” saying the link-up between Next and Retail Realisation underlined its “interest in Russell & Bromley’s brand rather than its store estate or stock”.

Family-owned Russell & Bromley currently trades from 37 stores and employs more than 450 people. It’s run by fifth-generation family member Andrew Bromley and has Billie Piper as the face of the brand.

If Next bought only the IPR, it would leave the stores without the right to carry the Russell & Bromley name, reports said.

None of the parties involved have commented so far.

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​Amiri names Japan’s Yuta Jinguji its latest ambassador

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January 12, 2026

Amiri has named a new global brand ambassador, Japanese musician Yuta Jinguji, a member of boy band Number_i.

Yuta Jinguji

Jinguji has has a high international profile and as well as begin perfmorerinternational attention. In addition to his work as a performer, he serves as producer on many of Number_i’s songs.

The company said his “unique sense of personal style has also garnered attention, amplified by a devoted global fanbase. Celebrated for his refined yet bold approach to style, he is driven by a deep passion for fashion. Distinct and unmistakable, Jinguji’s look is as exceptional as his sound”.

Linking with musicians is a key part of the Mike Amiri’s Amiri brand identity and musicians from the all-important Asian market are hugely important to luxury labels in general.

That’s definitely the case with Amiri. Since opening its first flagship on Rodeo Drive in 2020, it has expanded globally, with standalone stores across Asia, including locations in Japan’s Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

It said that Yuta Jinguji is “a rising idol and cultural force, shaping the modern intersection of music, fashion, and global influence. His appointment as Global Brand Ambassador reflects Amiri’s forward-looking vision as a truly international luxury brand – with a future defined by creative collaboration, exchange of global perspectives, and the transformative power of personal style”.

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JD Sports makes major move in one-click AI sales

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January 12, 2026

JD Sports is diving deep into AI with a new plan that means  shoppers will be able to buy products through AI platforms without exiting an app.

JD Sports

AI is increasingly making itself felt in retail in both behind-the-scenes and customer-facing activities and this is one move that’s as customer-facing as it’s possible to get. It reflects consumers’ increasing use of AI platforms like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, the latter of which will be its first partner.

Jetan Chowk, JD’s chief technology and transformation officer told the Press Association the company sees AI as “the future of how people will shop” and the retailer wants to be at the heart of this.

It’s working with Commercetools and payment firm Stripe on “one-click purchases” through AI platforms with the tech to launch in the US — now its biggest market — in the months ahead.

But JD isn’t the only one carving out an AI sales future. Back in October major rival Frasers Group (it owns Sports Direct, which competes directly with JD in the UK) saying it was to become the first European retailer to deploy Commercetools’ full agentic commerce suite.

As for JD, it’s expecting to expand the tech to other key markets (the UK and Europe) this year.

Chowk said: “We think AI is the future of how people will shop, and we want to stay at the forefront of how they shop. What we are currently seeing is that customers are regularly using AI apps to research and discover the products they want to buy. We can see that already and want to ensure we are moving early to meet customers and their needs in that space.”

Importantly too, JD has a big presence in the youth shopping market and has seen AI usage soaring for shoppers aged 18 to 24.

So now, those shoppers will be able to not only find products using AI but buy them too within the AI platforms. 

CEO Regis Schultz hailed the strengthening of its digital proposition for customers, and how how the tech “keeps us moving in line with the fast-changing retail landscape”.

He thinks the innovation will make the company more efficient as well as improving the customer experience.

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