Ralph Lauren launches Naiomi Glasses collection

Ralph Lauren debuted on Tuesday the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection, the inaugural collection of the company’s Artist in Residence program.

The program, designed to foster collaboration with artisans from various backgrounds, kicked off with a partnership with Glasses, a seventh-generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and weaver. The Artist in Residence program, intentionally centered around the celebration and preservation of heritage craft, seeks to deepen connections with diverse stories and form creative partnerships.

Through the collaboration with Glasses, Ralph Lauren aims to showcase and honor the heritage craft of Indigenous artisans, acknowledging its significance in American art and cultural identity.

“Heritage and tradition are at the center of everything I love — things that encompass both beauty and utility, that are uncontrived and personal and are passed down for generations,” said Ralph Lauren, executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation. 

“Bringing the most authentic expression of heritage craft to life means working with those who have created and sustained these timeless traditions for centuries and sharing their stories with the world. That is the opportunity that awaits us — and that will be a valued part of the legacy of our company.”

The collection will unfold in three seasonal, special-edition launches through 2024. The first capsule, inspired by the lands of Dinétah (Navajo Nation), features men’s, women’s, and unisex apparel and accessories. Collection highlights include woven jacquard blanket coats, wraps crafted with undyed wool, and contemporary adaptations of cherished Navajo symbols.

The collection launches with a campaign shot by Ryan RedCorn and Daryn Sells, featuring a predominantly Indigenous cast and crew against the striking landscape of Navajo Nation. Accompanying the campaign is a short film directed by Shaandiin Tome, providing insight into Glasses’ family life, her introduction to Navajo weaving, and the making of the collection.

“Navajo weaving is a craft that has carried on through my family for seven generations and preserving these traditions in new ways has been so inspiring to me as an artist. To now be able to share it with people around the world, as seen through my eyes and brought to life in clothing, is a dream come true,” added Glasses. 

“It is only through the power of collaboration and Ralph Lauren’s unique program that this collection was made possible, and the best part is that it brings traditional Navajo weaving to a new generation.”