DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material
Maharishi aims to detach camouflage from its military associations and promote its natural roots and artistic influences.
It has always grounded its use of DPM patterns in the idea of reclaiming them from the military-industrial complex. Camouflage has existed for millions of years in nature and only in recent modern history has it been associated with war and the military. Even within that context, its development was only made possible by using the talents of artists, designers and other creatives, many of them conscientious objectors.
DPM: Bonsai Forest
The house pattern 'Bonsai Forest' incorporates symbols of peace and nature such as bonsai trees growing from heavenly clouds, as well as the dragon, representing man's spiritual journey and quest for the pearl of wisdom.
This pattern is a key part of the Maharishi camouflage message. Reclaiming disruptive camouflage patterns from the military and reminding us of its peaceful origins in art and nature.
Multiple DPM patterns have been incorporated in every collection since its inception. In addition to these seasonal camouflages, Maharishi has had their own perennial house camouflage pattern, DPM: Bonsai Forest, in constant use since 1999. Originally inspired by an antique Chinese watercolour named “Bonsai Cloud Forest” this has evolved to have many variants over the years but each one incorporates symbols of peace and nature such as bonsai trees growing from heavenly clouds as well as temples, snowy mountain peaks, Hindu Aums and Katakana script. Also featured in later variants is one of Maharishi’s most iconic graphics, a Chinese dragon chasing a flaming pearl of wisdom. Maharishi’s use of dragon iconography is based on the concept that a serpent, the most physically earthbound of creatures with its entire body laying on the ground, represents the unenlightened man and the Dragon represents man leaving the physical earth, taking flight on a spiritual journey to acquire the pearl of wisdom.
DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) Book by Hardy Blechman
Published September 2004. ISBN: 9780711223912
Maharishi's founder and creative director, Hardy Blechman, has been extremely influential in the proliferation of camouflage in civilian fashion over the past decade. After almost seven years of research he reveals the depth of his exploration into the vast world of camoflage in his magnum opus: DPM (Disruptive Fashion Material).
The 720-page encyclopaedic art book charts the history of camouflage from its roots in nature to its adoptation by the military and onto its current popularity and use within modern civilian culture. No other title offers such comprehensive coverage of this multi-faceted and high engaging subject. DPM contains thousands of images, many of them previously unpublished, by some of the worlds leading nature, military, and fashion photographers.
The 224-page supplementary book DPM Military Camouflage Patterns of the World, includes a comprehensive historical guide to the camouflage patterns issued to soldiers of 107 nations around the world.
DPM also, for the first time in print, thoroughly documents the rise of camouflage outside of the armed forces, used by anti-war protesters in the 1960s, further explored by modern artists, and reinvented within areas such as fashion, architecture, music, film and sport among numerous other fields.
Throughout the book, including the 'Military' section, a strong anti-war sentiment is expressed, with the emphasis on camouflage's natural and artistic beauty. Drawing on the expertise of an extensive team of consultants, DPM, is the most authoritative camouflage manual ever published and an indispensable modern reference guide for both the novice and seasoned camoufleur.
DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material
Compiled & Edited by Hardy Blechman & Alex Newman
Researched by Hardy Blechman, Alex Newman, Tom Trinkle, Ben Velez, Neil Davenport, Hiywet Abate, Simonez Wolf, Dr J F Borsarello
Graphics by Michael Hernan, Russell Maurice, Lee Glasspool, Tom Messenger, Stuart Daly.
Military Consultants Gary Paine , JP Soulier, Eric Larson & members of the International Camouflage Uniform Society.
“A monumental achievement” Stephen Bayley in The Times.“An amazing work of love” Veronica Horwell in The Guardian.“Best Books of 2004” in Wallpaper’s Design Awards.“Pick of the Picture Books” in The Independent.