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Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses, the inaugural collaboration of the Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence programme, honours Navajo heritage and centuries-old weaving traditions
“Heritage and tradition are at the centre of everything I love—things that encompass both beauty and utility, that are uncontrived and personal, and that are passed down for generations. 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 why we have developed the Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence programme, inviting artisans to collaborate very personally with me and my design teams—allowing us, together, to form a special blend of traditional craftsmanship with our timeless design ethos.
This is how we bring a truly authentic expression of these designs to life, benefiting artisans and respectfully sharing the timeless beauty of their heritage and stories.”
Naiomi Glasses
Naiomi, our first artist in residence, is a seventh-generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and designer. She learned her craft from her late grandmother, Nellie Glasses, after moving to Dinétah (Navajo Nation) when she was 12. Naiomi’s love for the Navajo way of life, from the beauty of its land to its cherished cultural symbols, is at the centre of everything she creates
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Naiomi Glasses
Naiomi, our first artist in residence, is a seventh-generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and designer. She learned her craft from her late grandmother, Nellie Glasses, after moving to Dinétah (Navajo Nation) when she was 12. Naiomi’s love for the Navajo way of life, from the beauty of its land to its cherished cultural symbols, is at the centre of everything she creates
“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.”
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Nellie Glasses,
Naiomi’s grandmother
Nellie regularly spun wool from the sheep on the Glasses’ family farm on Dinétah (Navajo Nation). Naiomi and her brother, Tyler Glasses Jr., repurposed their grandmother’s unused wool to make their early designs. Using natural, undyed, wool continues to be part of Naiomi’s weaving style
Naiomi began to weave full-time and launched her online custom textile business at 18 years old.
Today, Naiomi is regularly featured at the Santa Fe Indian Market and Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market, where her work has earned a range of awards and acclaim, including multiple ribbons in the weaving division within the textile classification
In her spare time, she is an avid skateboarder and is passionate about building community through skateboarding
An original weaving used for inspiration
“When designing this collection, I imagined seeing my family and the people I love wear these pieces out in the world.”
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Naiomi is pictured with Tyler, her brother and fellow weaver, and her parents, Tyler Glasses Sr. and Cynthia Glasses, on Dinétah (Navajo Nation) in northeast Arizona
Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses
The Collaboration
Our partnership is built on a shared love of heritage and craftsmanship. Over the past two years, Naiomi worked with Ralph Lauren and his design teams to reimagine the original designs of her woven art into a collection inspired by her family, homelands, and community on Dinétah (Navajo Nation). To accompany the collection, she curated one-of-a-kind silver and turquoise jewellery pieces handmade by renowned artisans from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo
“When people wear the collection, I want them to feel empowered. I want them to feel confident, and I want them to know they are supporting the work of a Native artist.”
The Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence programme is one way we are building a model of collaboration with the artisans sustaining heritage craft, melding the unique skill of artisan makers with our core brand sensibilities. Rich in tradition and honours through generations, artisanal craft is timeless and must be honoured and passed on
Ensuring the products we create and the stories we tell are authentic expressions of heritage is foundational to this work. From the colour palette to the patterns and motifs, this collection is a celebration of Navajo artistry and culture through Naiomi’s eyes
“The colour red has always been present in our weavings. Even from the start, it’s been part of our story, so I knew I wanted to have it in this collection.”
As part of how we shared the story of this collaboration, it was important for us to not only celebrate Native design talent, but also Native talent in front of and behind the lens.
A special thanks to the cast and crew for the first Artist in Residence campaign, including our filmmaker, Shaandiin Tome (Diné/Navajo); photographers Ryan RedCorn (Osage Nation) and Daryn Sells (Diné/Navajo); behind-the-scenes capture by Lonnie Begaye (Diné/Navajo); and Raising Day Entertainment, for their collaboration. We also thank our cultural consultant, Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee), and members of our external Native and Indigenous Advisory Council for their partnership
Heritage & Design
Naiomi’s weavings and designs celebrate Navajo patternwork and centuries-old weaving traditions. Traditional motifs hold deep meaning in Navajo heritage and are often recognised as a personal expression of the weaver. These symbols, among others, are found across this collection
Four-Directional Crosses
Referencing the Earth’s four directions, Naiomi uses this symbol to honour the significance of the number four in Navajo tradition
The Dragonfly
As a resident of the desert, Naiomi uses symbols significant to water in her art and as adornment to call in more moisture
Spider Woman Crosses
Naiomi uses this symbol to represent the creator and teacher of the weaving tradition in Navajo culture
“This first drop of the collection is truly a love letter to the land. When I think of the land, I think of my family. It’s a way to show love for them and just how interconnected everything is.”
The Wool Wrap
A modern interpretation of traditional wearing blankets, featuring Naiomi’s motifs using natural, undyed wool
The weavings’ variegated stripes are a nod to the rock formations on Navajo Nation
Our Support
A percentage* of the purchase price from sales of drop three of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection will benefit Creative Futures Collective, an organization working to unearth and empower the next generation of creative leaders from disenfranchised and underrepresented communities. Bringing our collaboration full-circle, Creative Futures Collective is the organization that introduced Naiomi to the Ralph Lauren team. Ralph Lauren has proudly worked with Creative Futures Collective since 2022, supporting internships and mentorships for Native youth building their careers in creative fields of discipline.
*Five percent of the purchase price from global sales of the third capsule of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection will be donated to the Edward Charles Foundation to benefit Creative Futures Collective.
*Five percent of the purchase price from global sales of the third capsule of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection will be donated to the Edward Charles Foundation to benefit Creative Futures Collective.
Our Work to Design With Intent
Since our founding, Ralph Lauren’s design ethos has been inspired by the beautiful and interconnected history, arts, crafts, and cultures that make up the fabric of America. As we look to the future, we are evolving our design approach from inspiration to collaboration—focused on honoring heritage craft and those who have sustained these traditions for generations. This means taking meaningful steps to be more inclusive throughout our business, including how we design, make, and market our products.
The Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence program is a key part of this work, inviting artisans to work with our design teams in a mutually beneficial creative partnership. Through collaborations like this, we are working to center the voices of artisans and the communities around them, ensuring they decide how their culture and heritage are used and how their stories are shared.
Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses
Explore the two other drops in our inaugural Artist in Residence collaboration
Drop 2: Colour in Motion
Explore Now
Drop 3: Denim Daydream
Explore Now