Esports merchandise has a representation problem. The vast majority of gaming jerseys are designed for men, with women’s options typically limited to smaller sizes of the same unisex patterns. In March 2024, GIANTX, EE (the UK telecoms brand), and premium esports apparel maker Woystone challenged that standard with a limited-edition jersey designed for women by women through the EE Power Up Programme.
The jersey debuted at Insomnia 72, the UK’s largest gaming festival held at the NEC Birmingham on March 29-30, 2024, during the VALORANT Women’s Cup. It was not commercially sold. Instead, it was distributed as prizes and worn by programme mentees, making it one of the rarest and most purposeful pieces of esports apparel produced in recent years.
Design Philosophy
What sets this jersey apart is not just who it was made for, but how it was made. The design process centered women’s input at every stage, with the goal of creating a garment that respects women’s body proportions rather than simply scaling down a men’s template. Subtle logo placement avoids the chest-centric branding that often makes women’s jerseys feel like an afterthought. The overall silhouette was shaped by feedback from the EE Power Up Programme’s mentees, women who actually compete and attend events in esports apparel.
Technical Specifications
Woystone brought serious technical construction to the project, elevating it beyond a symbolic gesture into a genuinely high-performance garment:
Antimicrobial Odor Control — Built-in treatment keeps the jersey fresh through long gaming sessions and multi-day events, addressing a practical concern that is rarely discussed in esports apparel marketing.
Quick-Dry Fabric — Moisture-wicking construction that pulls sweat away from the body, essential for the warm environments of LAN events and packed convention halls.
4D Stretch Technology — Four-way stretch fabric that moves with the body across all axes, providing unrestricted movement without the baggy excess of oversized fits.
Intelligent Thermoregulation — The standout specification. The fabric keeps the wearer 2.5 degrees Celsius cooler than conventional materials, a measurable performance advantage in any setting.
These are not marketing buzzwords layered onto a basic sublimation jersey. Woystone’s technical specifications place this piece in the same conversation as premium athletic wear from brands like Nike and Adidas.
The EE Power Up Programme
The jersey exists within the context of EE’s Power Up Programme, an initiative designed to support women entering competitive gaming. The programme provides mentorship, resources, and visibility for women in esports, and the jersey serves as both a uniform for participants and a statement about what inclusive esports merchandise can look like when taken seriously.
By partnering with GIANTX, one of the LEC’s most visible organizations, and Woystone, a manufacturer with genuine technical expertise, EE ensured the jersey would meet professional standards rather than functioning as promotional merchandise.
Why This Matters
The GIANTX x EE x Woystone jersey is a proof of concept. It demonstrates that designing esports apparel specifically for women does not require compromise on technical performance or aesthetic quality. If anything, the focused design process produced a more thoughtful garment than many standard-issue esports jerseys.
The fact that it was not commercially released is both its limitation and its strength. It exists as a statement piece and a blueprint for what the industry could do at scale.
More GIANTX Coverage
- GIANTX 2025 Pro Jersey
- GIANTX 2024 Pro Jersey and Founders Collection
- Movistar KOI 2025 LEC Jersey and Worlds
Where to Buy
This jersey was not commercially sold. It was produced exclusively for the EE Power Up Programme and distributed as prizes at the VALORANT Women’s Cup during Insomnia 72 in Birmingham. No retail release has been announced.
