A Historic Debut in Style: Brazil’s Indigenous-Inspired Kit for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England
Credits: Brasil Rugby
From August 22 to September 27, 2025, England will host the 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the most prestigious tournament in the sport. For the first time in history, South America will have a team in contention, and that team is Brazil’s own Yaras. When Brazil’s Yaras take the field for their first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup this August, they’ll be wearing more than a uniform. They’ll be carrying the symbols, stories, and strength of Brazil’s Indigenous heritage.
Credits: Casa Vogue
The kit was created by Auá Mendes, a 24-year-old Indigenous artist, graffiti artist, and designer from the Mura people of Amazonas. Born in Manaus in 1999, Auá moved to São Paulo in 2020 and has since become one of the most dynamic voices in Brazil’s contemporary art scene. She has developed projects for major brands such as Shell, Banco do Brasil, Converse, Tok Stok, Natura, Hershey’s, Google Brasil, Nike, Nubank, Vivo, and WWF, as well as institutions including Tomie Ohtake, MAM, and the Bienal de São Paulo.
Credits: Auá Mendes
Auá has been making her mark on Brazil’s contemporary art scene with bold, large-scale works, often painted while suspended from buildings over 30 metres high. Her art is rooted in connection, demarcation, respect, and protection. As she explains, “it’s so that I never forget everything that was done for me to be alive, yesterday, today and forever.”
Auá’s career is filled with milestones: in 2024 she was invited by Agência Terruá to design the visual identity for Banco do Brasil at WebSummit Rio; in 2023 she created her first large-scale facade in Belém/Pará as part of the 1st Bienal das Amazônias; and in 2022 she painted her first 30+ metre mural Ãgawara-itá mukaturú: As encantadas protegem in São Paulo. She has also participated in campaigns promoting female solidarity, Amazonian culture, and LGBTQIA+ rights, collaborating with platforms from Rock in Rio to Marvel’s Black Widow. Her art has been exhibited internationally, including in Berlin, and she has curated and participated in multiple collective shows celebrating diversity, resilience, and social justice.
Credits: Projeto Draft
For this historic kit, Auá incorporated Tupi-Guarani cosmological designs that represent resilience, unity, and the deep connection between people and nature. The designs make the Yaras’ debut not just a sporting milestone, but a cultural statement. A celebration of ancestry worn proudly on the world stage.
Credits: Brasil Rugby
The name Yaras comes from Brazilian folklore. The Iara (or Yara) is a powerful water spirit, often depicted as a guardian of rivers. In Indigenous Tupi-Guarani tradition, she represents strength, grace, and the ability to navigate challenges with fluidity. For the players, carrying this name is both an honour and a responsibility to protect and inspire. “This uniform is about identity — it tells our story before we even play a single pass,” said captain Raquel Kochhann, who also carried Brazil’s flag at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Credits: Brasil Rugby
For Brazil, this debut is historic in more ways than one. It’s the first time South America will be represented in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Yaras qualified by defeating Colombia, securing their place in Pool D alongside France, Italy, and South Africa. Their campaign begins on August 24 against South Africa in Northampton, followed by a clash with France in Exeter, and finishing the pool stage on Brazil’s Independence Day, September 7, against Italy, a symbolic date that could carry extra emotion. The Yaras will bring their distinctive style of play (and their powerful new look) to the game’s highest level.
Credits: Rugby World Cup
The Brazil Embassy in the United Kingdom (UK) called on the community to rally behind the team, “For the first time, Brazil will compete in the Women’s Rugby World Cup — right here in the UK! Let’s show our support for As Yaras! @brasilrugby”
Match Schedule
· 24 Aug – 14:45 | Brazil x South Africa | Northampton (Franklin’s Gardens)
· 31 Aug – 16:45 | Brazil x France | Exeter (Sandy Park)
· 7 Sept – 14:00 | Brazil x Italy | Northampton (Franklin’s Gardens)
More information about the Women’s Rugby World Cup and how to buy tickets can be found: rwc2025.rugbyworldcup.com.
