Kayako Higuchi for Vogue Thailand

Photographer Natth @natth_j /
Stylist Mac Huelster @mac_huelster /
Makeup Raisa Flowers @raisaflowers /
Hair Junya Nakashima @junyahair /
Casting Christian Meshesha @cmeshesh /

Kayako Higuchi Captivates in Vogue Thailand’s 10th Anniversary Issue

For Vogue Thailand’s 10-year anniversary issue, the editorial team looked not just to celebrate a milestone, but to signal a vision for the future of fashion — one that is global, fluid, and unapologetically bold. The February 2023 cover, starring Japanese model Kayako Higuchi, is a portrait of that vision brought to life.

Kayako, whose striking features and fearless presence have landed her on the runways of Balenciaga, Loewe, and Mugler, brings a magnetic intensity to every frame. Shot by photographer Natth (@natth_j) and styled by Mac Huelster (@mac_huelster), the story unfolds through a series of clean, sculptural images that highlight the model’s versatility and presence. There’s no costume, no distraction — just elegance, structure, and a tension between softness and strength.

The makeup, by Raisa Flowers, and hair by Junya Nakashima, echo this balance. Glossy skin, bold lips, and minimal lines. Nothing overworked. The aesthetic recalls the best of 90s editorial minimalism — but reimagined for today’s world, where identity is fluid and personal expression drives the narrative.

What made this shoot feel so intimate, despite its global reach, was its quiet setting in Brooklyn. The natural daylight, the stripped-down backdrop, the quiet hum of focus between looks — all of it allowed the team to home in on the details. The subtle play of light on skin, the shape of a collar, the shift in Kayako’s gaze.

This wasn’t just another fashion shoot. It was a statement — about visibility, cultural strength, and the power of editorial storytelling to center new icons. In a world often dominated by sameness, Vogue Thailand chose to mark its decade of influence with an image that resists definition and demands attention.

Kayako doesn’t just wear the fashion — she becomes the shape, the line, the mood. The shoot shows her not as a muse but as a force. And in doing so, it captures what the best fashion imagery has always aimed for: transformation.

We were honored to host this special moment at Vandervoort Studio, where stories like this — sharp, elegant, and globally resonant — are given space to unfold.