For the fourth installment of its Artist in Residence program, Ralph Lauren has teamed up with the Indigenous-led clothing company Tópa. The Polo Ralph Lauren x Tópa offerings are available via the label’s fall/holiday collection.
In addition to being the founders of Tópa, Jocy and Trae Little Sky are award-winning performers, designers and members of the Oceti Sakowin, a historic alliance that is comprised of Dakota, Nakota and Lakota peoples from the Great Plains. Jocy is Dakota and is from the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations and Trae is Oglala Lakota and Stoney Nakota. The Little Skys practice traditional arts by creating regalia that is worn during Pow Wows. Quilling, beading and leatherwork are some of the techniques they do that express their heritage.
There are some 370 million Indigenous peoples, who live across 70 countries, according to the United Nations. Preserving distinct language, culture and beliefs is valued by many. However, Indigenous peoples are largely underrepresented in the fashion industry. A 2022 Materials Benchmark survey by Textile Exchange of 252 fashion companies found that less than 5 percent of them has Indigenous peoples in their biodiversity plans. The group united with Conservation International to develop guidelines to help resources engage Indigenous peoples for conservation, fashion creation and textile innovation.
Ralph Lauren’s Artist in Residence program is in step with the company’s Design With Intent initiative, which amplifies its portrayal of America from inspiration to collaboration with communities that have inspired Ralph Lauren designs in the past. Naiomi Glasses did the first one in 2023 and then has collaborated with Tyler Glasses for a fall 2025 Ralph Lauren home collection. Zefren-M worked on a Double RL capsule collection last fall.
In the Oceti Sakowin languages, “Tópa” means “four,” which symbolizes four directions, four seasons, four stages of life and the four meaningful colors of red, black, yellow and white, all of which adds culture meaning to the collection. A portion of the sales of each item will benefit the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation to support its Lakota Language and Education Initiative. The assortment includes a Thípi Reflections jacket that retails for $1,999.