WSJ

Sep 2026

Playing Dress Up for WSJ marks a departure from conventional fashion editorial tropes, instead grounding its high-fashion narrative in the quiet tension between domestic intimacy and rustic outdoor exploration. Captured by photographer Laura Jane Coulson, the project leans into a compelling chiaroscuro aesthetic, utilizing hard light to carve out dramatic silhouettes against both the textured wood of a classic interior staircase and the lush, overgrown backdrop of a hidden garden. The styling, curated to emphasize volume and structure, finds an unexpected counterpoint in the utilitarian inclusion of a bright orange wheelbarrow, bridging the gap between high-end sartorial choices and raw lifestyle imagery. Models Betsy Gaghan, Bebe Parnell, and Jacqui Hooper anchor the visuals, their poses lending a sense of layered storytelling that feels both spontaneous and meticulously composed. With hair by Joe Burwin and makeup by Thomasin Waite, the beauty direction remains polished yet grounded, perfectly complementing the series' analogue film aesthetic. By eschewing over-production in favor of moody, natural light and a deliberate sense of place, the project demonstrates how editorial fashion photography can thrive when it embraces a more artistic, nuanced perspective. This collaboration creates a visceral experience that feels tactile and deeply immersive, proving that the juxtaposition of heavy, oversized textiles with verdant natural environments remains a potent, evocative visual language for the modern era.

Editorial

Fashion