The Lunar Year of the Ox Capsule by Maharishi
it’s 2021— climate change is not only real; it is happening as we speak. we know sustainability is the answer, which is why we are all looking for sustainable alternatives to everything,
that’s why a brand like maharishi with an ethos grounded in respect for nature, is not only ideally suited for today’s world; at the time of the brand’s inception it was, in fact, well ahead of its time. developed in 1994 by hardy blechman, maharishi was founded on principles that seem commonplace to us today but were in fact groundbreaking in the mid-nineties. you see, maharashi’s vision of military-inspired, beautifully constructed garments that utilize circular design principle while exploring the “dualistic nature of the universe” was a revolutionary one back then. very few designers were prioritizing sustainable fashion at the time in the way that maharishi was and so it makes sense that the name “maharishi”, when translated from sanskrit means “great seer”.
maharishi’s latest collection, the year of the ox capsule, continues to explore the brand’s design philosophy of duality—expressed via the blending of eastern and western influences. the collection, which was released in time for the lunar new year, is inspired by yokai folklore from western japan and prominently features a bovine-headed monster called the ushi-oni.
the line draws inspiration from famed edo period artist, sūshi sawaki, where the ushi-oni is depicted as a formidable creature carrying an ox-head attached to a spider-like torso, with six legs and long, dramatic claws. this collection continues to showcase the brand’s masterful ‘east meets west’ design philosophy featuring the recurring paper cut artwork with an embroidered military-style patch reminiscent of the one that inspired the chicago bulls logo.
with maharishi, the military, utilitarian influences are part and parcel of the brand’s aesthetic. blechman’s previous experience with international military clothing industry continues to lay the foundation for the brand’s line of garments. however, an important caveat is the way that maharishi utilizes natural fibers like hemp and other similar fabrics, as well as upcycling military surplus. this subversion is part of the brand’s pacifist ethos which “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.”
the year of the ox collection includes many standout pieces including a kimono stadium jacket, the utility shirt which features a striking chinese-style closure known as the ‘monkey fist’ and a number pieces which feature guest artworks by teach, myoshka as well as graphics from the ©/®/tm the andy warhol foundation for the visual arts, inc. you can, of course, expect staples like organic cotton and other fair-trade, environmentally-friendly materials and fabrics which means that consumers can rest assured their beautiful maharishi garments carry a lighter carbon footprint.
purchase the maharishi lunar year of the ox capsule collection here
