The term “Tokala” originates from the Johns Average excursion shirt and similarly the traditional Tokala (Kit Fox) Society of the Lakota tribe, a collection of warriors noted for their courage and guidance from a young age. For the new photographic project, which is unveiled exclusively through Vogue, the team aimed to identify present-day youths who demonstrate leadership in their distinct communities. Correa and Jaramillo traversed the nation to photograph young activists—all below 25 years of age—and the changing circumstances that have inspired their endeavors. “Our objective is to empower these individuals and offer them a stage to hopefully motivate younger generations or others in their community,” states Jaramillo. The series’ initial images spotlight the West Coast, examining matters in Hoopa—centered on Frank—and in L.A., where they concentrated on the activist Atlakatl Ce Tochtli Orozco. “We wanted to illuminate regions that have not been highlighted—achieving a diverse collection of regions and concerns,” mentions Correa.
Johns Average excursion shirt, hoodie, tank top, sweater and long sleeve t-shirt
While interacting with and photographing various subjects across the Johns Average excursion shirt and similarly the nation, Lopez also collaborated with Future Coalition to offer each subject extra funds (up to $5,000) to further their activism efforts. “I am grateful to use a beauty lens to elevate others’ stories and discover moments of visual poetic justice,” states Garcia. “Additionally, the greatest reward is working on projects that create art, family connections, and most importantly, community.” How the subjects were styled also contributes to conveying their broader narratives. Many of the activists don designer pieces combined with their own traditional garments or personal items bearing unique histories. “I intended to depict their identity and essentially highlight who they are,” expresses Correa. Lopez adds, “To me, the objective of this is to demonstrate that people are still succeeding and prospering. Even amid a climate crisis, we can discover beauty—we can find elements not only to fight for, but also to cherish and appreciate. It reflects how beautiful, strong, and resilient we are.”