When Hardy Blechman launched Maharishi in 1994, he didn't have much to go on other than his gut and the years he'd spent knocking around the military-surplus trade. Gambling on himself has paid off handsomely for Blechman, and now the Maharishi maestro is laying down a similar bet on Lizzy Disney, by relaunching the brand's womenswear division with the U.K.-based stylist and ex-Jacques Fath designer at its helm. Disney agrees that the match made between her and Maharishi isn't an entirely intuitive one. "The Maharishi aesthetic has been very embellished; street wear with a bohemian edge," she says. "My background in a way is the opposite—quite minimal and fashion-oriented. So it was an interesting challenge for me to marry the two." All doubts are assuaged by Maharishi's Spring 2008 womenswear collection, the first created under Disney's direction. Pieces such as slouchy tie-front pants, an asymmetrical hoodie, and a gathered army jacket give Maharashi street smarts a sleekly feminine spin, while Disney takes up the boho spirit of the brand by stripping summery dresses, tanks, and peasant blouses to their understated essence.