A KALTBLUT exclusive. Photography and styling by Becca Geden. The model is Celine Shen. Make up by Omar Samara. Hair by Rachel Hawkins. Set Design by Charlotte Curtis. Lighting by Kishore Karthik. Fashion by Zhao Xuhui, Leo Prothmann, Lee Green, Syban Velardi-laufer, Yijin.
This editorial is part of an ongoing project inspired by the figure of the Cailleach from Irish mythology. The Cailleach was an archetypal ‘Mother Earth’ goddess from old Irish mythology, representing our entanglement to nature and the process of life and death. During a recent period spent at home in Ireland, Geden noticed that many people were referring to the ancient goddess and that she was suddenly coming back to the mainstream, giving hope for a renewed connection to nature.
The photographer imagined what a contemporary ‘Mother Earth’ character would look like and explored the paradoxes and complexity that typify the archetype through the use of texture in the pieces she selected. The garments she selected for the styling play on hard and soft qualities that relate to the nurturing, life-giving essence of the goddess figure that conflicts with the equally destructive nature of the stereotypical ‘Mother Earth’ archetype. The studio-shot photos were collaged onto stock photos of deserts to create a subtle surreality that highlights the slight disconnection to the natural world due to the rise of technology that is represented by the metal pieces, the ‘Earth Mother’ of today is slightly lost within the natural world.
Photography, styling and creative direction by Becca Geden / www.beccageden.com /
Instagram: @beccageden
The model is Celine Shen / Instagram: @celine_shenxx
Styling 1st assistant is Chris Fallie / Instagram: @Chrisfallie
Styling 2nd assistant is Sasha Venn / Instagram: @Sasha Christina_
Make up by Omar Samara / Instagram: @timtimismouthy
Hair by Rachel Hawkins / Instagram: @llumosmakeup
Set Design by Charlotte Curtis / Instagram: @charlotteelizabet
with assistance from Karib Reyes / Instagram: @karib_reyes
Lighting by Kishore Karthik / Instagram: @captures._of_.kk
with assistance from Ines Brochado / Instagram: @inesbrochado_
Brands used are: Zhao Xuhui, Leo Prothmann, Lee Green, Syban Velardi-laufer, Yijin
Instagram name of each brand: @soohyee_z @leoprothmann @leegreenyy @sybansyban @yijin.yijin
ABOUT: Becca Geden is an Irish photographer working in London. Geden has a background in marketing, an MA in Fashion Photography, an MSC in Psychology and a BA in English and Art History. All of these influences intersect in her photographic work through observations on human nature, societal narratives, mythology and archetypal resonance.
