Polo Ralph Lauren Unveils Second "Artist In Residence" Collection With Navajo Weaver Naiomi Glasses
Spotlighting the textile artist’s traditional weavings and her passion for skateboarding.
After launching its “Artist In Residence” program with seventh-generation Navajo weaver Naiomi Glasses in December, Polo Ralph Lauren has returned to unveil its second of three collections with the award-winning textile artist.
Titled “Color in Motion,” this latest range reflects the second phase in Glasses’ personal weaving journey, during which she began to experiment with bold color pairings and modern iterations of Navajo’s historical motifs. With 24 men’s, women’s and unisex apparel and accessories items, the vibrant lineup is embellished with the artist’s traditional Navajo design elements, which include four-directional crosses, wedge weave emblems and tones of turquoise, orange, yellow and red.
Notably, the line platforms Glasses’ liking for skateboarding, a talent that she first picked up when she was five years old as a means of escaping childhood bullies. “Her time spent at the skatepark has brought healing and community and has been a pivotal source of inspiration in designing this collection,” Polo Ralph Lauren said. In practice, the line features skate-inspired pieces, including turquoise board trousers, multi-pocketed cargo pants and utilitarian waistpacks.
Like the inaugural collection, the second lineup houses a curated range of handcrafted silver and turquoise jewelry pieces from seven Navajo and Hopi artisan families. “Indigenous artists don’t usually get these big collaborations because no one really looks to our communities,” Glasses told Hypebeast upon the “Artist In Residence” program’s launch. “But with this [partnership], it’s beautiful because we get to celebrate our artists, and it’ll also open so many doors for others.”
The collection will launch via the Ralph Lauren webstore on Thursday, March 21. A percentage of proceeds from the colection will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Foundation Patient and Family Assistance Funds for Native American Families and the Center for Cleft & Craniofacial Care. Take a look at the line in the campaign, starring Glasses and her friends, above.
