Farm League finds the intersection of heritage and craft for Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren's inaugural Artist in Residence campaign features seventh-generation Diné textile artist and weaver, Naiomi Glasses, and the intersection of her heritage and craft in her artistic process.

The partnership between Ralph Lauren and the artists selected for their Artist in Residence program is built on a shared love of heritage and craftsmanship, similar to the films we at Farm League prioritize -- stories that honor people, places, and cultures. We were honored when the brand reached out to partner again (after our successful Olympics campaign), and director Shaandiin Tome took this new series to a special place rooted deeply in authenticity and nuance.

Over the past two years, artist Naiomi Glasses worked with Ralph Lauren and their 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 jewelry pieces handmade by renowned artisans from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo.

The film series takes the audience inside Naomi's process and how her heritage is embedded within her work as an artist. Each episode is visually striking and emotionally resonate, showing twofold how we can actively empower the next generation of artists by giving them a platform to express their perspectives and share their craft. 

While the films feature a Navajo designer as she embarks on the opportunity of a lifetime – designing her own collection with Ralph Lauren – the films are simultaneously created and directed by an up-an-coming Diné filmmaker in Tome. The campaign was tailored to amplify marginalized voices, and the results are beautiful and powerful. The crew was largely local and part of Navajo Nation themselves, and the utmost care was taken to tread lightly in the sacred spaces of the reservation.

Tome's cross-cultural experiences have allowed her to accurately capture the untold stories of the Indigenous community. Her perspective was fundamental to the approach for these films in particular, including her visual language and treatment of landscapes and portraiture. She crafted resonate imagery that was a seamless convergence of Naiomi’s story, design, and culture. 

Episode 1 of the series is now on the Shots Creative Awards 2024 Shortlist for Best Direction over 3 minutes!