December 5, 2023 |
Today’s a big day with Ralph Lauren’s new Artist in Residence programme officially launching. The first of its kind in the American brand’s five-decade lifespan, the breakthrough initiative has kicked off with a collection from Polo Ralph Lauren and Naiomi Glasses, a seventh generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and weaver. Intended to pay homage to the label’s strong bond with traditional craft and its heritage, the project will champion a range of creatives that inspire Ralph Lauren and reflect diverse approaches to storytelling.
This particular launch takes form as three limited-edition product drops that will be spread across seasons, continuing into 2024. The first release consists of 32 pieces spanning menswear and womenswear as well as unisex apparel and accessories. Drawing it’s inspiration from Navajo tradition, the colours used in each piece reflect the beauty of the designer’s Native American homeland. Featuring modernised versions of classic Navajo emblems, wraps, knits, velvet tops and jacquard blanket coats are intertwined with more traditional Ralph Lauren silhouettes.
Naoimi started finessing her craft at the tender age of 18 and began to weave full-time after learning traditional techniques from her grandmother. Holding her culture at the heart of everything she does, Naoimi’s work is a true love letter to her community. Fast forward to the present and she is a regular feature at SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market and Heard Guild Indian Fair and Market where she has been awarded a number of accolades. Naoimi is also committed to bringing members of Native American youth together, using her beloved past time of skateboarding to do.
Accompanying the release is a multi-media campaign shot solely by creatives of Native American descent. A series of warm, sun-lit captured by photographer Ryan Redcorn and Darren Sells show various members of Glasses’ immediate family and friends – including model and activist Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts. A short, documentary video shot by award-winning filmmaker Shaandiin Tome bolsters the images, bringing them to life and further colouring the rich heritage of Indigenous people. Both elements of the campaign are pepped with a curated selection of artisanal jewellery, collated from seven Navajo and Hopi families, that are available for purchase online and in select flagship stores.
Available for purchase online and in selective Ralph Lauren stores worldwide. Discover the full collection here. Photography courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
