Pack your binoculars because Maharishi want to take us on safari for Spring/Summer 2017.
Following from American and Chinese military presence on the continent, the London-born label takes on a new palette inspired by its colonisation. This is a collection that is as much about politics that inspired the clothes as it is about the clothes themselves, and highlights the importance of Mother Nature’s resources.
The eco-friendly range uses a natural palette extracted from the mines of Africa, with Coltan taking centre stage. The use of the mineral, used to manufacture smartphones and laptops – highlights the armed conflict caused by Africa’s natural resources and the global trade interest they bring with them.
The primitive graphics and simplistic shapes portray a sense of naivety, while the overlocked staple stitch that finishes most pieces is inspired by Ivorian artists. These subtle details continue with symbolic references to the American Tour of Vietnam in the late 60s style of African map embroidery.
This season, the Tigerstripe Mural camouflage and other patterns have been hand painted onto reclaimed military uniforms. The printing takes place in East London as part of Maharishi’s upcycling programme.
The silhouettes are inspired by traditional African clothing, including the hoodless wide-collared robe known as the Djellabiya in the Horn of Africa.
Written By Jodie Dewberry