“Heritage and tradition are at the center 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 program, 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.”
OFF
Naiomi Glasses, our first artist in residence, is a seventh-generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and
designer. The Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection honors Navajo artistry and culture
through Naiomi’s eyes. Drop 2: Color in Motion is a celebration of creativity, community, and
cultural pride in a bright palette of traditional motifs.
To accompany the drop, Naiomi curated a selection of handcrafted pieces from renowned
Indigenous jewelers.
POLO RALPH LAUREN X NAIOMI GLASSES
The
Collaboration
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 of three drops. Drop 2: Color in Motion reflects Naiomi’s love of skateboarding and her artistic evolution into colorful weavings.
Skate
Inspirations
Naiomi first started skateboarding at 5 years old,
falling in love with the freedom and healing it offered
after experiencing childhood bullying from being born
with a cleft palate. Skateboarding became a place of
solace, where she could truly be herself—and it
remains part of her life today
falling in love with the freedom and healing it offered
after experiencing childhood bullying from being born
with a cleft palate. Skateboarding became a place of
solace, where she could truly be herself—and it
remains part of her life today
For Color in Motion, Naiomi drew on her most colorful weavings and the
sportier silhouettes she likes to skate in for inspiration
sportier silhouettes she likes to skate in for inspiration
The Blanket
An homage to traditional Navajo wearing blankets,
historically worn as outer layers preceding jackets. The
dynamic patterns, including the four-directional cross,
diagonal striping, and wedge weave, reflect the evolution
of Naiomi’s skills throughout her weaving journey. Each
blanket comes with a matching keepsake box.
historically worn as outer layers preceding jackets. The
dynamic patterns, including the four-directional cross,
diagonal striping, and wedge weave, reflect the evolution
of Naiomi’s skills throughout her weaving journey. Each
blanket comes with a matching keepsake box.
Color & Pattern
Naiomi’s weavings and designs celebrate Navajo patternwork and centuries-old weaving traditions. Traditional motifs hold
deep meaning in Navajo heritage and are often recognized as a personal expression of the weaver. This collection reflects
the second phase of Naiomi’s weaving journey, as she began to play with new colorways and more contemporary
adaptations of traditional Navajo symbols while refining her skill in the craft.
deep meaning in Navajo heritage and are often recognized as a personal expression of the weaver. This collection reflects
the second phase of Naiomi’s weaving journey, as she began to play with new colorways and more contemporary
adaptations of traditional Navajo symbols while refining her skill in the craft.
One of Naiomi’s favorite colors,
honoring the stone’s significance in
Navajo jewelry traditions
honoring the stone’s significance in
Navajo jewelry traditions
Naiomi’s vibrant hues recall Navajo
dye techniques, where shades of red
were created naturally with the
cochineal insect
dye techniques, where shades of red
were created naturally with the
cochineal insect
The diagonal, zigzag pattern Naiomi
uses is a unique weave structure found
in traditional Navajo weavings
uses is a unique weave structure found
in traditional Navajo weavings
The Wool Coat
Inspired by Naiomi’s first colorful weavings, two black-and-white striped
saddle blankets with a turquoise border (pictured above)
saddle blankets with a turquoise border (pictured above)
The Cotton Maxiskirt
Featuring a floral pattern inspired by the globe mallow, a
flower found throughout Navajo Nation
flower found throughout Navajo Nation
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.
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
The first drop was released in December 2023. The third and final drop arrives later this year