Jared Yazzie was still in college in 2009 when he started the clothing line OXDX, inspired by his Diné heritage. OXDX is an acronym he created for overdose, which he likens to modern society’s overconsumption and how it differs from ancestral teachings on contributions to land and water. Yazzie’s matriculation led him to meditate on the state of the world and the Indigenous experience.
“Through college talks, you have wide-eyed [conversations] and want to share our different messages that we didn’t see in the world, especially in the streetwear and high-fashion industry,” he says. Yazzie found that Native images were stereotypically ancient, and he wanted his brand to have a more modern take on Navajo culture through streetwear. He made graphic designs representing Diné life, street art and graffiti, with young adults and professionals in mind. “I wanted to show people that Native people are still doing work currently and [that they] needed a voice. There’s a lot of stories being told and a whole world to check out,” Yazzie says of increasing tribal visibility in the media and fashion industries. “They’re going to be highlighting many Indigenous creators, and I think that will be a good time to find someone close to home. See how big we can take it.” oxdxclothing.com
