Fashion can embody memories, associations, expression, and so much more. For textile artist and seventh-generation weaver Naiomi Glasses , fashion embodies tradition, history, culture, passion, and most recently, her roots in indigo-skyed rodeo. Glasses, 27, a member of the Navajo Nation, lives in Arizona but has showcased her work in the Santa Fe Indian Market and throughout Santa Fe for years, earning awards and recognition from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts.
As an intern in a program facilitated by the Creative Futures Collective, Glasses dreamed of breaking into the fashion industry with her craft of weaving. With timing that was nothing short of serendipitous, Glasses, a long-time fan of designer Ralph Lauren, appeared on the New York City company’s radar just as they were seeking to shift focus from inspiration to collaboration. Polo Ralph Lauren, widely known for its collegiate Ivy League-inspired style, decided Glasses was a perfect fit for the company’s first-ever Artist in Residence program, which seeks to partner and collaborate with artisans to feature new voices and skillsets in fashion.
Ralph Lauren announced the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collaboration in December, which encompasses a three-part collection that would be dropped throughout 2024, with each part representing a theme consistent with Glasses’ journey with weaving and life. Meet-and-greet at Malouf on the Plaza The first drop, titled Love of the Land , homed in on the early stages of Glasses learning how to weave with natural, undyed wool, featuring patterns that embody the land and rock formations of the Navajo Nation. A portion of the purchase price for this drop was dedicated to benefitting Native-led Change Labs.
The second drop, Color in Motion , highlights Glasses’ growing creativity in weaving and exploring bright, vibrant colors, as well as patterns connected to Glasses’ love for skateboarding. A portion of the purchase price for this drop is dedicated to benefitting Phoenix Children’s Foundation; Glasses has a special connection to the foundation as she underwent a cleft palate repair at Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a child. The third and final drop of the collection is Denim Daydream , centered around Glasses’ roots in rodeo, weaving saddle blankets and all things denim and indigo, which Glasses says “really reminds me of the beautiful big blue sky at home on Navajo Nation.
It’s a beautiful color and it’s a key inspiration in this next chapter for me as an Artist in Residence for Polo Ralph Lauren.” This final drop will benefit the Creative Futures Collective where this collaboration first began. The collaboration is buzzing with full circle moments.
Malouf on the Plaza was one of the first galleries to sell Glasses’ work, so it is fitting that it would be the place where Glasses and Ralph Lauren launch the final part of their collaborative collection. The community can preview some of the collection’s designs and meet Glasses at Malouf on the Plaza on Friday, August 16. Now available for purchase at Ralph Lauren stores and online globally, this collection is the first Polo Ralph Lauren product that will also be available through some retailers, including Malouf on the Plaza.
Through the portion of proceeds dedicated to benefitting select philanthropic organizations, Ralph Lauren hoped to recognize, credit, and support the Native community’s ownership of the traditions and motifs featured in this collection. Of the collaboration and the collection, Glasses says, “Being able to bring this clothing to life with my perspective as a Diné woman, I think it just makes sense.”.
