Maharishi Spring/Summer 2011 ‘Theatre of War’

This season Maharishi presents a 1940’s North African Desert military inspired collection entitled ‘Theatre of War’.

With references to the forerunners of the SAS, the Long Range Desert Group (L.R.D.G.), the range features military inspired staples in distressed cottons and natural fibers including washed Irish linen and hemp, alongside more elaborate pieces in super lightweight voluminous voiles and recycled vintage parachute cord. A muted palette of washed vintage olive, sand and white makes up the main color theme of the collection.

Pink Panther jeeps transport the LRDG troops deep into the war torn Sahara. Fatigued by sand storms and lack of water, the soldiers go AWOL into deeper Africa, taking on elements of safari and indigenous clothing before disappearing even deeper into the desert, finally arriving at a heavenly watery oasis, where traditional camouflage and mud print colors turn into vivid blues on white.

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 desert 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.

Have a look at the collection here.

Photo & slideshow Copyright Maharishi.