Ekaya and 431-88’s ready-to-wear collection will make you fall in love with heritage textiles all over again

It's always exciting when two prominent fashion brands with distinct identities collaborate. In their latest and possibly one of our favourite partnerships, Ekaya and 431-88 are launching a ready-to-wear collection in anticipation of the festive season. This collection will feature Banarasi textiles reimagined with a modern twist. Think pre-draped breezy handloom sarees, vibrant co-ord sets, chic blazers, kurtas, and more. For that’s where the entire magic lies—the versatility of the collection. 

Now if you’ve been following these luxury brands, you’ll see they each have idiosyncratic identities. 431-88 offers a modern, sensual, and feminine aesthetic conformed for the contemporary woman, while Ekaya Banaras brings a 120-year legacy through four generations, showcasing exquisite Benarasi craftsmanship. And this collaboration combines the strengths of both brands. “Comfort and ease of style are central to this collection, reflecting our brand’s values, while Ekaya’s expertise in Benarasi textiles adds depth. Just in time for the festive season, we hope everyone finds their perfect piece to celebrate,” says Shweta Kapur, founder and creative director of 431-88.

Palak Shah, the founder of Ekaya Banaras, envisions creating the next kimono—a silhouette so iconic that it becomes a global sensation and is featured by other brands. With this ambition in mind, she is introducing pre-draped sarees in this collection—something she had previously vowed not to do. “We had to adapt and create a solution that allows you to zip up and go,” Shah told us. 

To tell you more about the collaboration between 431-88 and Ekaya Banaras, the collection draws inspiration from the simple elements of nature, like as flowers, water waves, and earth textures. As a result, the designs are a blend of delicate and bold aesthetics. This collection features everything from subtle tone-on-tone tanchoi patterns to lavish zari metallic designs and everything in between.

At its core, the designers of this collection aim to rekindle the joy of dressing up—be it a saree or a pantsuit. The grace and femininity of these silhouettes are truly unmatched. The collection seeks to make these pieces more accessible to the younger generation, encouraging a renewed appreciation for cultural heritage. They hope to inspire people to reconnect with their roots and fall in love with their culture all over again. And well, we are here for it.

The expansive range of the new collection will be available online at 431-88.com and ekaya.in on August 20th and in all 431-88 & Ekaya stores, pan-India, from September 1st onwards. 

All images are credited to Dolly Devi.

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