The brand is back with the second iteration of their collection with Jocy and Trae Little Sky, founders of the indigenous clothing brand TÓPA.
Building on the first collection, first released in November of 2025, Polo by Ralph Lauren x TÓPA launched their second iteration honoring their Northern Plains heritage. This new collection places greater emphasis on beadwork, patternwork, mirroring & symmetry, fringe, and intentional colors while mixing it seamlessly with the classic Americana look that has become ubiquitous with Polo by Ralph Lauren.
The collection expands on the image of the American West that the brand has been cultivating by broadening horizons and deepening their perspective. For decades, brands have romanticized Native American fashion motifs with no input from the people who are behind the inspiration; this collaboration between TÓPA and Ralph Lauren shifts the narrative by centering authenticity and spotlighting Northern Plains designers and the meaning behind it.
Little Sky’s founders of TÓPA clothing, Jocy and Trae Little Sky wanted to explore the enduring relationship between people, the land, and plant relatives. Through the handcrafted artistry present in the collection, the couple worked with Ralph Lauren’s design teams, not just as consultants or inspiration but as co-creators; shifting the Ralph Lauren landscape from inspiration and idealization to centering these artists in their own practice. Through this collaboration, authentic beading layouts and techniques unique to their artistic practice and distinct heritage were able to be preserved.
TÓPA comes from the languages of the Oceti Sakowin, its translation being “four” which can be looked at the four point star in their logo; we can also tie it to the four cardinal directions, the four stages of life, the four seasons of the year, and the four sacred colors central to them.
Throughout the collection Jocy and Trae Little Sky use intentional colors, not just the four sacred colors that represent TÓPA – black, white, red, and yellow, but also incorporate rich blues, greens, and purples to evoke the Northern Plains’ rich landscape; including its medicinal plants, seasonal changes, and cultural teachings.
The Polo ID bag & Play tote are examples of the intricate beadwork artistry while showing off symmetry, floral motifs, and patternwork that was earlier mentioned. This symmetry with florals can be seen throughout the collection with the Singing Blossoms & Strong Sage Polo Shirt. Other designs that exemplify this are the Standing Sage & Simmering Sage Jacket; with other plant relatives that are present in the collection include cedar, sweetgrass, tobacco, prairie crocus, and wild turnips. This flora represents the nourishment, healing, and stewardship of the land.
Cascading fringe has been added to accent apparel, footwear, and accessories; the fabric adds movement and dimension to these items. For the Northern Plains people fringe has various connections to them, from spiritual connection to cultural heritage; it’s one of the most prominent identifiers of Native American clothing.
For TÓPA, patternwork, thoughtfully placed borders and use of shapes reflect the landscape of the western hills of South Dakota; these mirrored compositions and symmetry invoke the harmony and balance that the sky and earth have and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
For the first time in the Artist in Residence program, the Little Sky’s are not just bringing their unique designs to adult apparel and accessories but also children’s apparel, creating the opportunity for everyone to be part of this collaboration. This ties into Jocy Little Sky’s hope that it will inspire all people to be proud of who they are, where they come from, and to follow their dreams.
The company’s Artist in Residence program is part of their Design With Intent initiative which seeks to build creative partnerships that empower authentic storytelling while celebrating cultural heritages. Ralph Lauren has been on a journey to go from inspiration to collaboration with the communities that have inspired them such as the Northern Plains with their diverse & rich heritage; the Design With Intent program is focused on expanding the portrayal of America by inviting artists from unique backgrounds to combine their skills with the brand’s core sensibilities.
All images courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
