MHI by Maharishi

Play it cool with MHI by Maharishi. Shirts with an industrial feeling.

Play it cool with MHI by Maharishi. Shirts with an industrial feeling.

Every garment produced at Maharishi shouts out a peaceful cry of battle. This is no ordinary oxymoron – this is the business philosophy adopted by the UK’s most influential designer label since its beginnings in 1994. Hardy Blechman is the creative mind behind this versatile brand which offers women’s, men’s and children’s collections in a perfect harmony with nature.

‘Maharishi’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘great vision’. This word perfectly expresses the visionary idea that started the brand’s success. In 1994, Maharishi conquered the streetwear stores by offering reworked or recycled military and industrial gear. The style manifested an aggressive utilitarian design. The best example of this early style is the US Army Snow Camouflage over-trouser – oversized, with a very long crotch and decorated in bright colors, the pants were an instant success on the streets.

Gradually, Maharishi developed organically into a label which designs more sophisticated and luxurious apparels, sometimes hand embroidered. The drift from the initial streetwear style was ended by the launch of the MHI by Maharishi streetwear clothing line in 2000. Hardy Blechman invited Futura 2000 (the internationally acclaimed graffiti artist) to be the first guest artist to work for a MHI collection. Since then many famous artists signed MHI by Maharishi collections that pushed boundaries and broke the industry rules. This is the case of Michael Lau and Mode 2. In 2008, the two artists collaborated to MHI’s autumn and winter line ‘Deus Ex Machina’ which was a powerful statement against our increasing reliance on energy-hungry machines.

MHI by Maharishi, although is a separate streetwear line dedicated to individuals with courageous attitudes, retains the same passion for quality, durability and sustainable materials as the main clothing line. Hardy Blechman, Creative Director of Maharishi, has developed a healthy obsession for experimentation with natural fibers and recycled materials. MHI also displays a graphic-based design that confers to its products a unique voice.

Man against Machine. Tee from ‘Deus Ex Machina’ collection.

Man against Machine. Tee from ‘Deus Ex Machina’ collection.

Hardy Blechman has declared for Format Magazine that it always feels good to get name-checked or see somebody you respect wearing something you designed or created. There has been a long history of supportive and often collaborative relationships between MHI / Maharishi and musicians and artists of all kinds. Indeed, Hardy Blechman has all the motives to be proud of MHI by Maharishi’s success among stars. After all, how many trademarks can pride themselves of being mentioned in songs interpreted by stars like Lupe Fiasco?

Maharishi has won many awards including the British Fashion Council’s Street-Wear Designer of Year in 2000. However, the recognition and accolades didn’t change the brand’s progressive spirit. As a statement against war, Blechman reinvented the Action Man toy into Gandhi, the Inaction Man. This artistic event reunited forty famous artist and designers to produce artworks for a charity auction.

MHI by Maharishi is dominating the international markets selling shocking tees, urban shirts, comfy sweaters, all kinds of trousers, durable jackets, hoodies and footwear for boys and girls alike. You can visit the home of Maharishi in London’s Covent Garden, which, naturally, is a concept design store, or buy online. The Spring 2009 Collection is out there under the name of ‘New World Order’. The theme is Greco Roman with great attention to quality and durability.