The collection includes hats, sweatshirts, tees, tanks, and socks—all of which feature the names and numbers of Native Olympians. (Prices range from $20 to $100). The unisex tank, for example, features the number 222, mirroring Mills’s original running number. The “Tewanima” tee also features an image of the athlete running in the 1912 Olympics, when he won the silver medal; the design was created in collaboration with the Hopi artist Duane Koyawena.
Photo: Courtesy of The NTVS
Even better, the collection also has a charitable component. A portion of all of the proceeds will be donated to the Thorpe family, as well as the Billy Mills Running Strong Foundation, which helps Indigenous youth achieve their goals and dreams. For Silva, it nods back to the original intent of the drop, which was to champion Native excellence. “I love Native history, and being able to share some of their stories through fashion design is very fulfilling,” he says.
Photo: Courtesy of The NTVS