Maharishi Celebrates The Year Of The Rat Their New Capsule Collection
By Rachel Tooley | January 17, 2020Streetwear brand maharishi was first founded by Hardy Blechman in 1994. The London based brand prides itself in creating its own unique utilitarian aesthetic, whilst making sustainability of each garment a priority. With the use of fair-trade production, high quality fabrics including organic cotton (a maharishi staple) and the strong natural fibre hemp, maharishi works hard to maintain their ethos of respecting the environment whilst utilising the most up to date technology.
The brand is mainly focused online, with two small stores which are based in London and New York. They’re renowned for their oriental inspired graphics and consistent military silhouette influences, making them a standout brand within the current menswear market.
As Chinese New Year is nearly just a week away, the brand is set to release a new capsule collection, paying homage to the new zodiac cycle approaching. In celebration of the ‘Year Of The Rat’, maharishi are dedicating their new collection to the rat, which is the first of all twelve zodiac animals; a creature of high respect in the East. The rat is known in the zodiac calendar for its skilful, resourceful qualities, alongside being one of nature’s great survivors.
Featuring in the collection is the exclusive ‘Stadium Jacket’. Available in black, navy or olive green, the jacket is made with quality Italian cotton twill. The classic, baseball jacket silhouette, features two front pockets, a centre front press snap opening and a ribbed collar, hem and cuffs. The standout woodblock inspired embroidery is what makes the jacket such a unique piece – an intricate rat graphic, with red and purple maharishi branding, and abbreviated past Years of the Rat are numbered underneath, which contrasts against the muted outer fabric.
The ‘Year Of The Rat Tour Shirt’ comes in a khaki green shade, with a chest pocket and button closure. Button cuffs smarten up this piece which can be dressed up or down, a versatile piece that could be worn all year round. Hand machined chest and back embroidery in red, black and gold, add an oriental edge to this functional silhouette, whilst keeping to the signature maharishi aesthetic.
A variety of organic t-shirts are available in the collection, including the ‘Desert Rats’ t-shirt, ‘Year Of The Rats’ t-shirt, ‘Paper Cut Rat’ t-shirt, ‘Lunar Coin’ t-shirt and the ‘Iron Rat’ t-shirt, in options of black or white. Complete the look with the ‘Year Of The Rat Trackpants’ which are available in black or olive. The trackpants make the perfect addition to your wardrobe, considering both style and comfort. The Italian cotton twill trouser features a drawstring waist and five pockets – two frontal side pockets, two envelope pockets at the back, and a concealed side zip pocket. These trousers also feature adjustable Snocord hems, to allow you to have a loose of cuffed fit depending on personal preference. Classic maharishi embroidery sits on the back right calf, featuring two grey rats sitting upon a glowing globe.
Alongside the clothing line, maharishi also have a couple of accessories you can get your hands on which coincide with the rest of these innovative designs. The vegetable dyed ‘Year Of The Rat’ bandana is made of Japanese Cupro Twill; a fabric which is sustainable, biodegradable and ecologically sound fabric, made of a by product created during the cotton production process. The fabrics fibres have a fine silk-like texture which make it a great, sustainable alternative to real silk. A sticker pack is also a fun addition to the collection, which features a sticker of each graphic design used within the capsule.
The drop date for this collection is January 17th, which will be available at 6am EST online at the maharishi website and in the London store. The collection will also be available in the New York store from 11am EST.