Clothing brand Qua launches a line dedicated to women cricketers

Qua's 'Modern Heroine' collection offers versatile, functional pieces for the contemporary Indian woman, inspired by women cricketers.

The founders of the brand Qua, Rupanshi Agarwal and Dr Divya Agarwal, call their pre-fall collection ‘modern armour’. The fits are designed for the contemporary Indian woman, they say, who often has to strike a balance between her professional and personal lives.

The collection was created with the intention of giving continuity to the wardrobe, says Rupanshi, who is also the CEO of Qua. “We have created separates that can be mixed and matched; paired with older collections. These are pieces that can transition from day-time to night-time wear,” says Rupanshi. 

Modern Heroine, as the collection is called, is dedicated to women cricketers of India. The campaign that was launched in September, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, features four women cricketers, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav. The range is a tribute to women who have created their own space in a male-dominated sport. “We wanted to collaborate with people who represent our brand ethos — women who are breaking boundaries, challenging norms, and inspiring others through their journeys,” says Rupanshi. 

The collection finds the balance between functionality and elegance. “We wanted to create a little bit of tension between fashionable and utilitarian aspects of clothing,” says Dr Divya, the creative director of Qua. “The collection is about versatility, confidence, and owning your individuality,” she adds. 

Comprising A-line dresses, midi skirts, shirt dresses, trench-inspired shirts, cargo trousers, contoured dresses, flared panelled skirts, tuxedo sets, cape jackets and tux collar shirts, Modern Heroine (which has 37 designs) is about power dressing.

“We designed each piece to reflect the complexities of power — whether it is resilience or determination. Collaborating with these sportswomen, who have shattered societal expectations, was an organic way to express that fashion can and should be about more than just aesthetics,” says Dr Divya.

The fabric used includes materials that are suitable for clothes that can be used throughout the day — high-stretch denims and poly viscose, for instance. “The outfits are those that can be used throughout the year too, irrespective of seasons. They can be layered up, or dressed down according to the season, occasion and time of the day,” says Rupanshi. The leather used is vegan. “We have opted for a premium faux leather made of polyurethane, ensuring that it has the look and feel of leather, while being cruelty-free and sustainable,” adds Rupanshi.