BLOG: "From Baghdad with Love" Collection (Drops 3/17)

Our Spring ‘23 “From Baghdad with Love” collection commemorates the 2003 invasion of Iraq (aka Operation Iraqi Freedom) which was launched exactly 20 years ago this month.

This collection is presented in partnership with Northern Provisions. These dudes publish a variety of educational photographic content from current conflicts as well as historical wars & events.

BACKGROUND:

The invasion phase began on 19 March 2003 (air) and 20 March 2003 (ground) and lasted just over one month. Twenty-two days after the first day of the invasion, the capital city of Baghdad was captured by Coalition forces on 9 April 2003 after the six-day-long Battle of Baghdad. This early stage of the war formally ended on 1 May 2003 when US President George W. Bush declared the "end of major combat operations" in his famous “Mission Accomplished Speech.”

Saddam Hussein was captured in December of the same year and executed 3 years later.

The United States based most of its rationale for the invasion on claims that Iraq had a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program and posed a threat to the United States and its allies. Additionally, some US officials accused Saddam of harboring and supporting al-Qaeda. In 2004, the 9/11 Commission concluded there was no evidence of any relationship between Saddam's regime and al-Qaeda. No stockpiles of WMDs or active WMD program were ever found in Iraq.

THE COLLECTION:

This spring ‘23 collection features ripstop stretch pieces in DCU Camo, heavyweight French terry hoodies, tees, and Made-in-USA nylon goods.
All pieces are inspired by the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent events.

Drops Friday, 3/17 at 3PM EST
Prices listed below

Retro Windbreaker in DCU

  • Ripstop Stretch Construction

  • Rubberized YKK Aqua Guard Zipper

  • Mesh & Ripstop lining

  • Draw cord adjustable waist and hood

  • Two zippered hand pockets

  • Velcro & elastic hybrid cuff closure

  • PVC Rubber Logo Patch on sleeve

Same fit details as all of our recent retro windbreaker releases.
Available in sizes S-XXL

$150

Ripstop Jogger in DCU

  • Ripstop Stretch Construction

  • YKK Zippers on hand pockets, cargo pockets, and back pocket

  • Drawstring adjustable waistband

  • PVC Rubber Logo Patch on cargo pant

Same fit details as all of our recent jogger releases.
Available in sizes S-XXL

$90

EDC Short in DCU

  • Ripstop Stretch Construction

  • Belt loops for EDC Carry

  • Drawstring adjustable waistband

  • PVC Rubber Logo Patch on cargo pant

Fits similar to our recent release EDC Shorts - size chart will be added later.
Available in sizes S-3XL

$58

Toyota Technical Hoodies

  • Heavyweight French Terry Cotton Material

  • Cut-and-sew construction (no blanks)

  • Embroidered Artwork

  • Standard Fit (larger than our AK embroidered hoodies from the FKWL Pt. II collection)

$75

“Baghdad Bungee Jumping” T-Shirt & Hoodie

The latest entry in our QILO Athletics series - the Baghdad Bungee Jumping concept is inspired by footage of Saddam Hussein’s Hanging.

T-Shirt is constructed of mid-weight jersey-knit cotton. Standard Fit.
Hoodie is constructed of heavyweight French terry cotton. Standard Fit.

Both pieces are pigment dyed and washed for an exceptional finish and hand-feel.
Cut-and-sewn from scratch to our custom measurements with hand-picked fabrics (no blanks).

T-Shirt: $40
Hoodie: $80

DCU & DNC Nylon Gear

Prison Wallet in DCU

Another long-awaited Prison Wallet™ is here - this time in DCU.
Made in USA with US-sourced materials, our Prison Wallet is a convertible pouch system designed for quick-switch use as a fanny pack/shoulder bag or as a drop-down dangler pouch from your kit.

Features:
-1000D Denier Nylon Cordura®
-Made in Los Angeles with US-sourced materials
-Coyote Brown Strap, Velcro, Zipper, Trim
-Removable strap for waist/shoulder carry
-Stowable Velcro flap for plate carrier/chest rig mounting
-Hypalon Label made by Brown Buffalo
-Metal Grommets
-Interior Loop Velcro

Dimensions are 9" x 6.5" x 2"
Fits Glock 19 or similar.

NOTE: the Prison Wallet is only available in DCU camo for this release - not DNC (Desert Night Camo)

$72

QILO x AXL Micro Fight Hi Top Full Zipper Inserts

We have once again teamed up with Dallas-based gear extraordinaire AXL Advanced to produce an ostentatious version of their “Micro Fight High Top Full Zipper Insert” - a popular and useful accessory for Gen 3. and Gen. 4 Spiritus Systems Micro Fight Chest Rigs.

The zipper insert is available in both DCU & DNC patterns for this drop.

$45

QILO x AXL Advanced - Nods Nest

The NOD's Nest™ is a helmet and night vision storage solution that provides protection for your night vision optics utilizing the shell of your helmet as protective storage space. This eliminates the need for bulky hard-sided cases when traveling, storing, and utilizing your NV and helmet. The NOD's Nest™ provides a low profile solution that is small enough to be stored in your back pocket when not in use.

The NOD's Nest™ will secure around any standard-sized ballistic, bump or carbon helmet, including attached helmet-borne communications and signaling equipment.

The internal placard provides secure retention on any binocular or monocular night vision system.

Designed by NN Concepts and manufactured in the USA by AXL.

We teamed up with AXL to create the Nods Nest in two unique versions: “DCU” & “DCU with DNC Guts” as the latest entry in our Nods Nest Collab Series. These are created with 1000D Cordura (DCU) & 500d Cordura (DNC guts) sourced from USA.

$160

Baghdad Bungee Jumping Cap

Cotton Twill, Embroidered Artwork

$30

Michael Stein