This season maharishi presents a modern Latin American Guerrilla inspired collection entitled ‘Age of the Fifth Sun : Summer 2012’. The range also references ancient and contemporary cultures of the Aztecs, Mayans and Mexicans including the Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos.
Collection staples of hemp and organic cottons (woven twill, knitted jersey and sweat) are used alongside highly technical Italian mill made fabrics; including coated showerproof cottons recreated from a 1950’s military archive, and high performance Italian flight nylon, based on the original US Air Force MA1 flight jacket cloth. The collection perennially uses Swiss riri zips alongside many other military spec. accessories.
The palette of olive, black, orange and blue is inspired by guerillas, the jungle macaw and marigold flowers who, with their high visibility markings and flags, share colours with the Mexican Day of the Dead.
Utilitarian features of carry straps, detachable panels and dual functionality are incorporated into a range of styles including layered sweats with cargo net mesh and milspec webbing tape, a hooded poncho and highly articulated semi – fitted pants.
The collection also includes maharishi’s Officlal casual suits, in Olive and Black organic cottons with subtle military details and orange silk bound internal seams, referencing the high visibility interiors of flight jackets and parachutes.
WWII US Army camouflage parachutes form the basis of this season’s recycled collection by maharishi, with both the cloth and parachute cords reworked.
Maharishi aims to convey a strong anti-war sentiment through its use of camouflage – reclaiming its symbolic value away from war, back to its roots in nature and development by artists and to highlight objections to continued 21st century warfare.
Maharishi, literally translated means Great Seer, started in 1994 with the vision to create environmentally sound, fair-trade produced, long-lasting, high-quality, utilitarian clothing. The collection has always included hemp and natural fibers, organic cottons and recycled military clothing. In 2004, Hardy Blechman, founder and creative director of maharishi, published DPM Disruptive Pattern Material, a 944-page encyclopedia of camouflage, which documents his theory to detach camouflage from its military associations and promote its natural roots and artistic influences.
All production facilities are SA8000 and ISO9001 compliant.
