In a move that’s both fashionable and, well, a bit out there, M.I.A. has unveiled her latest venture: Ohmni. The new clothing line, designed to shield wearers from the invisible perils of modern technology, was launched with much fanfare during an appearance on Alex Jones’ Infowars. Yes, you read that right. The “Paper Planes” singer decided to introduce her brainchild on the very platform known for its conspiracy theories and outlandish claims.
Ohmni, described as “the first ever street wear for the modern information era,” aims to protect your privacy, autonomy, and, most importantly, your body and data from the digital deluge. The collection includes items like “Protency boxers,” which allegedly block electromagnetic frequencies and boost fertility. And, of course, there’s the pièce de résistance: the literal “Tin foil hats” that claim to offer “100% brain coverage” by blocking WiFi, 4G, and 5G signals.
If you’re scratching your head and wondering if this is a spoof, you’re not alone. The clothing line, although just a few weeks old, has already anticipated skepticism. Its mission statement provocatively suggests that we’re all living in a digital battlefield. “Future backwards is R U TUF,” it cryptically proclaims. It then adds a philosophical twist: “If the conspiracy theorists are wrong, good for you, you own some beautiful clothes made with pure silver and precious metals. But, if they are right, you just might have saved the future of humanity.”
M.I.A.’s decision to debut her line on Infowars is fitting, given the platform’s reputation. In her interview with Alex Jones, she explained that Ohmni is designed to protect wearers from nanoparticles, which she dubbed “evil dust.” The conversation then veered into other bizarre territories, including a scrapped album, her so-called “anti-vaxx” views, and the experience of being “cancelled.”
For those seeking solid scientific explanations on how Ohmni’s products actually work, the quest continues. M.I.A. offered no concrete answers during her interview, and the Ohmni website is equally evasive. It focuses more on persuading visitors that this is not just an artistic foray into fashion but a necessary step for survival in the digital age.
M.I.A. has never been one to shy away from controversy. In 2022, she made headlines by comparing Alex Jones’ conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook massacre to celebrities promoting vaccines. It’s a comparison that sparked outrage and further cemented her reputation as a provocateur. Jones, meanwhile, is currently in deep trouble, having been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion for his lies about Sandy Hook. His financial woes continue as he’s now been instructed to liquidate all his assets, with his company Free Speech Systems exiting bankruptcy.
The Ohmni clothing line, with its blend of high fashion and high conspiracy, is a natural extension of M.I.A.’s brand. It’s designed to appeal to a niche market of people who are deeply skeptical of modern technology and its potential harms. The clothes, made with materials like pure silver and precious metals, promise to offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They’re marketed as a form of protection against the unseen forces of the digital world.
Critics, however, are likely to question the scientific validity of Ohmni’s claims. The idea that a piece of clothing can block electromagnetic frequencies and boost fertility seems far-fetched, to say the least. And the notion of wearing a tin foil hat to prevent WiFi signals from entering your brain is straight out of a science fiction novel.
Yet, in a world where misinformation and conspiracy theories are rampant, Ohmni’s success might not be entirely surprising. M.I.A. has tapped into a growing market of individuals who are increasingly distrustful of technology and its implications. Whether or not the clothes actually work as advertised is almost beside the point. For many, the appeal lies in the idea of taking a stand against the perceived dangers of the digital age.
In the end, Ohmni is as much a statement as it is a clothing line. It’s a reflection of M.I.A.’s unique perspective on the world and her willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Whether it will be embraced by the masses or dismissed as a gimmick remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: M.I.A. has once again proven that she’s not afraid to push boundaries and provoke thought, even if it means venturing into the realms of the bizarre and the controversial.