Wowasi Ta Háyapi—Their Working Clothes
Wowasi Ta Háyapi, Lakota for “Their Working Clothes,” is more than just clothing—it’s a narrative that crosses personal and historical timelines woven into durable denim, stitched with intention, and meant to be worn with pride. These overalls mark a significant shift for High Rez, transitioning from solely creating furniture into designing clothing, while carrying forward the same depth of intention, cultural integrity, and meticulous craftsmanship you have come to know.
From Furniture to Fabric
When Stephan Oak, founder of High Rez and Lakota artisan, transitioned from crafting furniture into clothing, it was driven by a desire to infuse garments with the same intentionality, storytelling, and cultural resonance present in his furniture. It couldnt be made with labor he didnt agree with and it had to have community at the center of its creation. He heard a call from his relatives to make some High Rez Merch! Yes, but why stop at printed ts and hats when he could start with clothing from scratch! A bold step forward for the future designer that had no idea what was in store for him for the next year and a half, but that is absolutely the fire that drives this Stephan, High Rez, and this Collection.
He grew up riding and caring for horses, learning from his relatives. He grew up on and off the Rez in Lower Brule South Dakota, always a proud to be Kul Wicasa. Raised by his Ina and all of his aunties, uncles, and cousins he was exposed to a large variety of upbringings, households and clothing styles.
The Rez aesthetic is one that is unmatched and beautiful. Gymshorts and cutoff ts to denim jeans all in the repertoire. So, in dreaming of this collection he began drawing from his diverse personal history, his family, and his long lived history of work that has led him into firefighting, medicine, the railroad, teaching and community. Stephan envisioned clothing that was both functional and meaningful, garments that people in his life would be genuinely excited to wear and appreciate. He noticed just how pervasive it was that friends and family rocked canvas and denim from these brands and saw a future where High Rez could be the banner grounding their lives. Whether these clothes functioned both practically for the labor they held or as lifestyle statements, it felt like the time and calling were right. Stephan aspired to create something that authentically represented Native worker identity. Though a small step forward by releasing two garments, there is a path stephan is committed to walking down, and that is creating clothing that will shroud the wearer in dignity and pride as they go about their daily lives.
A student of processes, Stephan had clear vision for clothing designs but lacked the technical expertise needed to bring them fully to life. This led him to the talented guidance from seasoned fashion legends Greta Valligi (Italian) and Michelle Brown (Dine). The duo’s Industry knowledge, integrity and creative leadership were all instrumental in the projects launch. This collaboration was beautiful bringing in design elements from all three into a very thoughtful and complete collection.
Inspired by old photographs of his relatives and other historical photos of Native peoples blending western clothing with traditional clothing, Stephan sought to create a line deeply rooted in this cultural heritage and he also felt strongly that it be presented and represented by Native Photographers, Models, and homelands. Thus all photos you see of people rocking the clothes and the photographers behind them like his badass cousin Wigmuka Photography are real depictions of Native Life. No staging, no fancy backdrops, real life by real people. High Rez is so lucky to feature community, to feature nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles.
An Honoring Of Native Ironworkers
An often unknown story in the history of how things were built is the history of Native Ironworkers. A small but epic role in the creation of many city skylines known today. Stephan wanted to uplift the workers known as the “Mohawk skywalkers.” They shaped the urban landscape with extraordinary courage and precision. Known as fearless builders, Mohawk ironworkers became legendary for their exceptional balance, strength, and agility, constructing iconic structures like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the World Trade Center and even tapped for the rescue efforts in 9/11. These skilled workers mostly from Kahnawake, Akwesasne, but also from other Native Nations, moved gracefully along narrow steel beams hundreds of feet in the air, their work a powerful combination of traditional power and modern industrial mastery. Wowasi Ta Háyapi overalls seeks celebrate that spirit: rugged and unyielding with precision and grace.
Photo on right, Jimmy Brouse – Kul Wicasa Oyate (top), A Lakota Ironworker from Lower Brule, SD.
The creation of Wowasi Ta Háyapi was also significantly influenced by Stephan’s relocation to Detroit, where the vibrant art scene shaped by Black and Brown communities inspire him profoundly and also played a major role in the collection’s creation. Detroit’s rich history of union organizing, collective resilience, and the potent legacy of labor struggles further shaped his vision, amplifying the significance of these garments as symbols of empowerment, community and solidarity.
Every stitch, button, and pocket in these overalls is meticulously crafted, reflecting High Rez’s commitment to sustainability, intentionality, and cultural integrity. The Cone 2506 indigo denim and distinctive yellow stitching pay homage to Stephan’s diverse working background and symbolize durability, quality, and timeless style.
These garments were proudly produced on Tongva land by Firmé Atelier, a Los Angeles-based fashion house celebrated for exceptional craftsmanship and ethical practices. Founded by Eric Kim and Paul Um, Firmé specializes in bespoke, meticulously crafted garments, each piece reflecting their dedication to sustainability, community-oriented production, and innovative design. Firmé’s commitment to careful, thoughtful labor aligned seamlessly with High Rez’s vision, ensuring every pair of overalls embodies authenticity, precision, and creative excellence.
