Photographs of the Polo x Naiomi Glasses collaboration.
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
Photograph of golden meadow and mountains in distance.

“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.”

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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
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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
Photograph of Naiomi Glasses in wool sweater and turquoise-and-silver necklace.
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Mood picture Photograph of young Naiomi Glasses in red-and-white striped dress.
“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.”
[NAIOMI GLASSES SIGNATURE]
Naiomi’s grandmother
Nellie Glasses,
Naiomi’s grandmother
Naiomi’s grandmother
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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
Man and woman next to horse wear Polo x Naiomi Glasses collection apparel.
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
Woman carrying skateboard wears cream-and-brown wool outfit.
In her spare time, she is an avid skateboarder and is passionate about building community through skateboarding
Woman holding brown and tan woven blanket.
An original weaving used for inspiration
Photograph of men and women in Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel and turquoise and silver jewelry.
“When designing this collection, I imagined seeing my family and the people I love wear these pieces out in the world.”
[NAIOMI GLASSES SIGNATURE]
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.”
[NAIOMI GLASSES SIGNATURE]
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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 honed through generations, artisanal craft is timeless and must be honoured and passed on
Sketches of the Polo x Naiomi Glasses collection.
Red woven rug. Photograph of woman holding red woven rug.
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.”
[NAIOMI GLASSES SIGNATURE]
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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
Photograph of rock formation.
Photograph of model in cream-and-brown wool wrap.

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
Brown pants with embroidered crosses.

Four-Directional Crosses

Referencing the Earth’s four directions, Naiomi uses this symbol to honour the significance of the number four in Navajo tradition
Close-up of dragonfly symbol knit into brown sweater.

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
Back view of knit garment with spider woman crosses.

Spider Woman Crosses

Naiomi uses this symbol to represent the creator and teacher of the weaving tradition in Navajo culture
Preview video of Naiomi Glasses docuseries.
The Docuseries

Celebrating Craftsmanship and Heritage

Watch Episode 1
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Shaandiin Tome (Diné/Navajo)
“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.”
[NAIOMI GLASSES SIGNATURE]
Photograph of men and women in Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel.
Photograph of men and women in Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel.
Photograph of woman and man in Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel.
Photo of people walking through field in Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel holding hands.
Video of people wearing Polo x Naiomi Glasses apparel.

The Collection

Love of the Land is the first of three special-edition releases, for men and women, from Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses
Man wears woven brown patterned wool ranch coat.

The Great Ranch Coat

A signature Ralph Lauren silhouette, featuring patterns and motifs from Naiomi’s weavings using natural, undyed wool
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Woman with horse wears woven brown patterned wool ranch coat.

The Great Ranch Coat

A signature Ralph Lauren silhouette, featuring patterns and motifs from Naiomi’s weavings using natural, undyed wool
Model walking among rock formation wears blanket-inspired wool wrap.

The Wool Wrap

A modern interpretation of traditional wearing blankets, featuring Naiomi’s motifs using natural, undyed wool
Large rock formation in prairie.
Model wears cream cowboy hat, knit brown wool coat, and denim jacket.
The weavings’ variegated stripes are a nod to the rock formations on Navajo Nation
Photograph of people wearing silver and turquoise jewelry holding hands.
Photograph of silver and turquoise butterfly ring.
As Timeless as Turquoise: Jewellery and Legacy in the Southwest
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Lee Charley Butterfly Ring
Model on horse wears brown wool ranch coat and silver and turquoise jewelry.

Our Support

Together with Naiomi, Ralph Lauren is proud to support organisations that serve Native and Indigenous communities within Navajo Nation and beyond through this collaboration. This builds on ongoing efforts by Ralph Lauren and the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to help preserve cultural heritage, reduce healthcare disparities and enable access to educational and career opportunities within Native communities. A percentage of the purchase price from sales of drop two of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Foundation Patient and Family Assistance Funds for Native American Families and the Center for Cleft & Craniofacial Care. These Funds aim to alleviate financial barriers like transportation, housing and treatment costs for both Indigenous patients and their families and those seeking cleft and craniofacial treatment at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Learn More
Model on horse wears brown wool ranch coat and silver and turquoise jewelry.

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 honouring 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 programme 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 centre 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.
Learn More

Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses

The first drop was released in December 2023. The third and final drop arrives later this year
Colorful sketch of man holding skateboard wearing knit sweater.
Drop 2: Colour in Motion
Explore Now
Sketch of man in navy coat.
Drop 3
August 2024