Maharishi
Description
British streetwear brand known for its 'pacifist military' aesthetic and the integration of sustainable materials with intricate Eastern-inspired embroidery. It gained global recognition for its functional silhouettes, most notably the Snopants.
At a glance
- Founded
- 1994
- Founder
- Hardy Blechman
- Based in
- London, per Wikipedia
- First flagship
- Central London, opened 2001 according to Wikipedia
- Snopants
- Began as an upcycled version of the U.S. Army Snow Camouflage Over Trousers, per Wikipedia
Last verified · 4 sources · see sources
Who founded Maharishi
The brand's About page says Maharishi was founded by Hardy Blechman in 1994, and Wikipedia gives the same founder and year. Wikipedia says Blechman began his career buying and selling military surplus before founding the brand, and quotes him as saying the company was founded "with the intention to offer environmentally sound hemp and upcycled military & industrial surplus".
We did not find a source that says who owns Maharishi.
The look and the ethos
The About page describes high-visibility elements and camouflage reflecting a pacifist reinterpretation of military aesthetics, and says the brand uses sustainable materials like hemp, organic cotton and upcycled military fabrics. Wikipedia says the company uses natural fibres and up-cycled army issued clothing for collections. The Stuarts London blog describes a visual code combining army surplus with influences from Japan and India.
The About page also says Maharishi offers a free lifetime repair service for all its garments.
The Snopants and other milestones
Wikipedia says the Snopants began as an upcycled version of the U.S. Army Snow Camouflage Over Trousers, and quotes Arena magazine calling them "the most copied pants of the decade". The About page refers to 1996, when Maharishi depleted its remaining stocks of surplus 1980s U.S. Army Snow Camouflage Over Trousers.
Wikipedia says Blechman won the British Fashion Council's Streetwear Designer of the Year award in 2000, because of the popularity of Maharishi's sports and military products, and that the first flagship store opened in central London in 2001. The About page describes DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material as a 944-page encyclopaedia by Blechman, published in 2004, tracing camouflage from its origins in the natural world and art.
Wikipedia says Blechman developed a waterproof hemp fabric with the Italian mill ITS Artea. The Stuarts London blog adds that ITS Artea had previously worked with Massimo Osti on C.P. Company and Stone Island. We did not find a collaboration with another fashion brand named in any opened source.
Where to buy Maharishi and what it costs
The brand's About page refers to an online store and an "Our Stores" section, and END. lists Maharishi on its US site.
On END.'s US site in October 2026 we saw the Alaskan Polar Bears T-Shirt in black at $115, not on sale. Several other pieces were marked down: an Organic Logo T-Shirt at $43 against a listed $79, Hemp M65 Cargo Pants at $162 against $295, a Maha Peace Rally MA2 Jacket at $265 against $589, a Year of the Fire Kirin Snopants at $311 against $519, and a Temple M Okinawa 6 Panel Cap at $58 against $115. These are sale prices, the listings carried no date, and they are one retailer's snapshot rather than the brand's own pricing. We found no hoodie or jeans price in an opened source.
Price guide
- Alaskan Polar Bears T-shirt (black): $115 (END., Oct 2026)
- Organic Logo T-shirt (Olive OG-107F): $79 ($43 sale) (END., Oct 2026)
- Hemp M65 Cargo Pants (black): $295 ($162 sale) (END., Oct 2026)
- Maha Peace Rally MA2 jacket (olive/khaki): $589 ($265 sale) (END., Oct 2026)
- Year of the Fire Kirin Snopants (black): $519 ($311 sale) (END., Oct 2026)
- Temple M Okinawa 6 Panel Cap (olive): $115 ($58 sale) (END., Oct 2026)
Single snapshots from press and retailers; prices change.
Sources · checked October 8, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Maharishi founded?
Maharishi was founded in 1994 in London, United Kingdom.
Who founded Maharishi?
Maharishi was founded by Hardy Blechman.
Where is Maharishi located?
Maharishi is located in London, United Kingdom.
Who founded Maharishi?
Hardy Blechman, in 1994, according to the brand's About page and Wikipedia. Wikipedia says he began his career buying and selling military surplus.
Who owns Maharishi?
We could not find a source that says. Wikipedia and the brand's About page name Blechman as founder and do not discuss ownership.
Where is Maharishi from?
London. Wikipedia describes it as a London-based company, and says the first flagship store opened in central London in 2001.
How much do Maharishi Snopants cost?
On END.'s US site in October 2026 a Year of the Fire Kirin Snopants was $311 against a listed $519, so that figure is a sale price for one specific edition, not a typical price.
What are the Maharishi Snopants?
Wikipedia says they began as an upcycled version of the U.S. Army Snow Camouflage Over Trousers, and quotes Arena magazine calling them "the most copied pants of the decade".
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