MAHARISHI YEAR OF THE FIRE KIRIN
Maharishi presents the Spring 26 Pre-Season collection: Year of the Fire Kirin, celebrating the Lunar Year of the Horse.
Maharishi’s brand ethos is rooted in the concept of pacifist military design—blending utilitarian aesthetics with a message of peace and environmental responsibility. The collection references classic military silhouettes such as MA-1 flight jackets and field uniforms, reimagining them for non-military use. This philosophy further extends into a range of modular accessories, inspired by the U.S. Army’s A.L.I.C.E. system, with this season seeing the debut of the new M.A.L.I.C.E Day Pack – a more compact every day use variation of Maharishi’s larger weekend backpack.
The Year of the Fire Kirin artwork celebrates the Lunar Year of the Horse
In Japanese folklore, the Kirin is a mythical creature often depicted as a hybrid of a deer and a dragon, with the body of a horse. It serves as an omen of peace, purity and prosperity and is often connected to the idea of a harmonious balance between humans and nature – a concept held in high regard by Maharishi.
Also referencing the Year of the Horse is the Sho'onko Ryoho artwork by Japanese Ukiyo-e master, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, which depicts samurai Lu Fang riding into battle.
A respect for nature – a perennial part of Maharishi’s design identity – is evident throughout the collection.
As well as organic cotton, it makes use of hemp, one of the Earth’s strongest and most environmentally beneficial natural fibres, and recycled nylon, dyed using the innovative Onibegie technique, which uses plant-based colourings derived from food waste to minimise both chemical use and water pollution.
As well as signature styles such as Original Snopants® and Hakama Pants, the Year of the Fire Kirin collection introduces new silhouettes, such as cotton-hemp knits with integrated balaclavas and kimonos with built-in flight jackets, demonstrating Maharishi’s innovative approach to functional design.
.
