Elena Pullin

First, there was Chaos. Then, Gaia. She is Mother Nature, the Earth Mother, creator, and source of life. She is the power of the female, depicted as a woman pregnant with the earth itself, which supports all life. Gaia’s Secrets explores the female and femininity, taking inspiration from other Greek myths. Medusa’s snakes became her defence after her rape by Poseidon, Daphne turned herself into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s seduction. Both use Gaia’s secrets, the power of nature, to protect and empower themselves, taking control of their destiny.



In the 21st century, as the backlash against feminism continues and powerful men repeatedly abuse their position, and the natural world is trashed by modern living, Gaia is increasingly relevant. Women need her as a source of inspiration, to strengthen themselves for the ongoing battle for equality and respect, and their right to choose their own path and self-determination.



My concept explores our relationship with the earth, and how women can overcome the darkness of oppression by drawing strength from the way the earth renews itself, constantly bringing forth new life, and how Gaia’s secrets – the earth’s mineral, vegetable, and animal wealth - can enable us to reclaim and celebrate our own feminine power, and move forward to a more hopeful future in which both Women, and the Earth itself, are given the respect we deserve.

This seasonless collection explores a range of materials such as leathers, silks and sheers which are both screen-printed and digital.



My strengths are observational drawings, focusing on the detail of my own photography and developing it further through screen printing, material application and conceptual research. Consequently, I would like to further these skills in my career by going into design, but would also be open to exploring other aspects of the industry to enhance my knowledge and experiences.