Header: Courtesy of Nike
Nike has recently shared the result of their collaboration with NorBlack NorWhite: a brand new collection of apparel, footwear, and even a cross-body bag. The items were inspired by Indian textile traditions, having been created to give consumers the chance to wear everyday sportswear that supports freedom of movement and expression.
The collaboration brings NorBlack NorWhite’s ongoing focus on Indian craftsmanship into Nike’s global product catalogue, using culturally specific techniques and aesthetics to create the sporty silhouettes we all know and love.
“Our NorBlack NorWhite journey started with a deep admiration for the craft practices of India and the people who bring them to life,” said Mriga Kapadiya, the brand’s cofounder. “This collection shines a light on the rigour, dedication, and ancestral knowledge that’s rooted in Indian culture, and we hope each piece inspires women to draw into their own athletic mindset while navigating everyday life in India and around the world.”
The look of the collection is shaped by the practice of bandhani, a traditional tie-dye method used to produce detailed patterns through manual resist-dyeing. Nike and NorBlack NorWhite worked together to bring the appearance of this process to activewear, with cuts intended to suit both physical activity and day-to-day use.
“When women wear pieces from our new collection with Nike, we want them to feel comfortable in their own skin, wherever they are in their journey,” said Amrit Kumar, NorBlack NorWhite cofounder. “We want them to feel cool and collected through the colours and to be ready to take on challenges and build strength and resilience through the patterns. Women who wear these pieces should have fun and own the spectrum of hues—all knowing that we, as women, aren’t here to play.”
The collection includes four footwear models: the Nike Air Max Craze, Motiva, Pegasus 41, and Calm slide. Alongside these, the partnership created several garments and accessories featuring bandhani-based designs. These include a hoodie, tank top, cropped T-shirt, two bra styles, 5-inch shorts, and 7/8-length tights, as well as a cross-body bag produced as part of the same collection. Accompanying the launch will be athletes Anshu Malik, Priya Mohan, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma.
“What really hits different from other campaigns is that this collaboration is designed right here in India by a local collective that gets our vibe,” says Jemimah. “Wearing Nike that’s laced with Indian culture is a flex. It’s bold, rooted, and ours. As a woman in a sport that’s often seen through a male lens, being part of a campaign like this is my way of saying, ‘We’re not just showing up; we’re here to take over, win big, and look fab while doing it.’”
