What if fashion finally felt like it belonged to all of us?
That’s the thought that kept running through my mind as I read Vogue’s latest article, “How Fashion Is Coming Down to Earth.” For too long, fashion has lived on a pedestal. Untouchable, unattainable, and often, unrelatable. But now, something is shifting, and I can see it not just in the clothes, but in the stories being told and, most importantly, the people telling them.
When designers like Clare Waight Keller and Zac Posen team up with brands like UNIQLO and Gap, it’s more than just a business move. It’s a sign that fashion isn’t just for runways and red carpets anymore. It’s for people. Real, everyday people. And from a photographer’s perspective, that shift makes everything more dynamic. When fashion feels real, the people wearing it feel real. And when the person in front of my lens feels real, that’s where the magic happens.
But here’s where it gets even more exciting. If fashion is really “coming down to earth,” it has to be more than just affordable collections. It has to show up in who we see in campaigns and how those stories are told. I’m talking about more diverse models. Different body types, ages, skin tones, and expressions of beauty that feel real, not curated.
Because let’s be honest, when you’re flipping through a magazine or scrolling your feed and you see someone who actually looks like you wearing that jacket or dress, it hits differently. It’s not just aspirational, it’s possible. As a photographer, that’s the moment I live for. Seeing that shift in someone when they realize, “Yeah, I belong here too.”
We’re starting to see it happen, but there’s room for so much more. Editorial spreads that go beyond “perfection” into something raw and relatable. Shoots where a model doesn’t have to contort into impossible poses but instead can be seen in motion, walking down a street, laughing mid-shot, or just existing in the clothes. It’s those little in-between moments that tell the bigger story, and those are the shots that stay with you.
I think Vogue is onto something with this piece. It’s a call to action, not just for brands and designers, but for photographers, stylists, and editors too. We all play a role in how fashion is seen, and if the goal is to come “down to earth,” we need to go beyond surface-level changes. We need to see more diverse faces and more everyday moments reflected in fashion media. I’m ready for that challenge. I’m ready to capture it. Because when fashion stops feeling like an exclusive club and starts feeling like an open invitation, everyone wins.
So, yeah, what if fashion finally felt like it belonged to all of us? I think it’s starting to. And I’m keeping my camera ready for every moment of it.
© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.
Kisau Photography 