[De La Soul]; Maharishi

From the Estate of David Jolicoeur, Trugoy the Dove of De La Soul

ONE OF ONE PROTOTYPE JACKET FROM UNRELEASED DE LA SOUL X MAHARISHI COLLABORATION

In the mid-aughts, De La Soul trio Posdnous, Maseo, and Trugoy the Dove were travelling throughout Europe and U.K. as they collaborated with British virtual band Gorillaz—a collaboration that would eventually produce the chart-topping, triple-platinum single "Feel Good Inc." in 2005.

De La Soul's time abroad introduced the group members to British streetwear brand Maharishi, founded in 1994 by Hardy Blechman. After leaving the army surplus trade, Blechman founded Maharishi with the plan to merge Eastern and Western silhouettes to create military-chic, utilitarian daywear whose balance of functionality and aesthetic beauty dominated the British streetwear world for decades. Maharishi's low-waisted combat trousers—named 'snopants' by the brand— quickly became a favorite of entertainers and celebrities across the globe, and the oversized, proto-uniform tilt made them a perfect fit for Hip Hop aesthetics of the culture.

Drawn to the labyrinth-like Maharishi store every time they landed in London, De La Soul eventually caught the attention of founder Blechman, approaching the group with the idea to produce a limited edition De La Soul x Maharishi jacket. A former architecture student, Trugoy the Dove (David Joliceour) took ownership of the design process—becoming the liason between the artists and the London-based streetwear outfit. Even as an official collaboration never came to fruition, the present lot—directly from the Estate of David Jolicoeur—represents the creative efforts of the late performer.