From Ray Ban’s Aviators to Dr. Martins, Trench Coats, and all things camo-printed, the fashion industry has only the Military to thank for some of its most timeless trends. While a lot of the really high-end fashion influenced by the army is rarely available in India, we’ve found something much closer to home that does the job just right. If you’ve been yearning for a canvas rucksack, a German M35 Helmet from WWII, engraved bottle-opener dog tags or even stun guns, Olive Planet is your one-stop shop for combat gear. Established in 2009 by Captain Chethan YK, they launched their website and online store with a physical store following suit about a year later at their home-base, Bangalore.
The Captain told us that the reason for this endeavour was because, “As a soldier, it is very natural to be inclined towards military gear. While serving, I saw that the standard of equipment and clothing was not at par with modern armies across the world. Even if a soldier wanted to upgrade he did not have much choice. Thus, I decided to start a company that sells premium quality gear, something that can complement the harsh terrains in which our soldiers operate.”
Switching careers from the army to design isn’t something you hear about everyday. Growing up back then, the army was the most prominent career option. However, the Captain was always inclined towards design, and hence chose to study architecture. A short stint in the army led the Captain to Bangalore, where the concept of Olive Planet was born. Given where the company has reached today, design is still at the foundation of it all. From dealing exclusively in Military gear, the company has now expanded to include Adventure / Camping products. The next time you’re headed straight into the wilderness, you know where to shop for your essentials. They’ve got it all - right from portable stoves to water canteens and even stun guns.
One glance at the apparel and you’ll notice that the pattern of the Indian Army’s attire is very different. This difference was very much intended. “We are conscious that while camouflage is used by many other professions apart from soldiers, in India the awareness is limited and hence it’s important that the distinction is maintained to avoid any misuse. We procure a lot of products based on demand from Indian Armed Forces, Para- Military Forces and Police departments but these are not listed on our website,” the Captain says, dousing our curiosity.
With 50% of the products being made in India, a solid half is currently imported. Going forward, the company wants to start production in house. They’re also looking to include a new range of products, directed more towards life in the wilderness. Feedback to them has been consistent and important, with the army being one of the key sources. The Captain tells us, “Some of the best trained commandos teams in India use our products and have tested them in real operational scenarios,” and this is what drives them towards manufacturing their products on home ground. If you need to get yourself the olive parka and khaki combat boots that dreams are made of, start shopping already!
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