A Cinematic Reflection on Nature, Fashion, and Human Expression

Some films tell a story through words; others let imagery, movement, and sound do the storytelling. Elemental Beauty falls into the latter category, offering a cinematic experience that feels more like a sensory journey rather than a traditional narrative.

Directed by Elena Kovalenko, this short film explores the intricate relationship between human beings, nature, and fashion, seamlessly blending visual poetry with the raw energy of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water. Through expressive movement, stunning cinematography, and an evocative soundscape, Elemental Beauty invites viewers to reflect on the connection between the functional and aesthetic roles of clothing and its deep-rooted ties to the natural world.

At its heart, the film embodies a poetic truth:

“To the elements it came from, everything will return—
Our bodies to Earth,
Our blood to Water,
Heat to Fire,
Breath to Air.”

The Backstory: A Vision Takes Shape

The idea for Elemental Beauty first came to Elena Kovalenko in the spring of 2016. Passionate about both nature and fashion films, she envisioned a project that would seamlessly merge the two—telling a story where clothing, movement, and the natural world became intrinsically linked.

The first crucial step was finding the right designer to bring this vision to life. Through her network, Elena discovered Tatiana Tatalovic of the TATA brand, who agreed to collaborate by crafting four distinct outfits, each embodying one of the elements.Bringing Elemental Beauty to life required more than just creative vision—it needed funding. To secure support, Elena launched an Indiegogo campaign, creating a compelling video that went beyond just presenting the idea. She and her team traveled to various locations, conducting recce trips, fine-tuning details, and meticulously crafting a visual preview to bring the project’s essence to life. 

But in a surprising turn of events, before the campaign could even gain momentum, a friend reached out with unexpected news—an angel investor had been inspired by the film’s concept and was ready to back it. Almost overnight, the financial support fell into place, proving that when a project resonates, it has the power to attract the right people at the right time.

“With the angel investor’s support, we raised the $3,000 we needed,” Elena recalls.

While this was a modest budget, the scale and quality of the film were made possible only through the dedication of an extraordinary team. Many talented professionals—dancers, designers, and technicians—offered their expertise with limited resources or even without compensation, driven by a shared passion for artistic storytelling. Thanks to their commitment, the production was able to access professional equipment, secure a large underwater pool, and bring to life a vision that would have otherwise been impossible within such financial constraints.

What began as a simple idea quickly evolved into a collaborative artistic endeavor, fueled by the dedication, resourcefulness, and creative synergy of everyone involved. Their collective efforts not only shaped the film’s striking visual aesthetic but also proved that passion and perseverance can elevate a project beyond its financial limitations.

Finally, after months of preparation, the cameras rolled.

The Shoot: A Fusion of Precision and Improvisation

Despite its seamless, flowing aesthetic, the making of Elemental Beauty required both careful planning and creative flexibility.

Filming took place over three days in Dubai, with the most intensive being the 17-hour shoot dedicated to the ‘Fire’ and ‘Earth’ sequences. The following two days focused on ‘Air’ and ‘Water’, completing the elemental cycle.

Though Elena arrived with a clear vision and storyboard, nearly 80% of the final film was improvised. The raw energy of the natural world influenced both the choreography and cinematography, making each scene feel organic.

“The elements don’t follow a script, and neither did we,” Elena reflects. “We embraced the moment and improvised when needed. That spontaneity brought a natural authenticity to the film.”

Locations & Environment

Each sequence was filmed in settings that brought out the essence of its respective element. From the scorching desert dunes near Dubai for ‘Fire’ to the serene coastal landscapes for ‘Earth,’ the environment not only served as the backdrop but became an integral character in the unfolding narrative.

Cinematography & Visual Language

Cinematographers Tiago Dias and Elias Trad played a pivotal role in capturing the film’s raw, dreamlike quality.

• Air: To truly capture the power of wind, we traveled to the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, a region known for its open landscapes and strong natural gusts. Flowing fabrics and dynamic movements interacted with the unpredictable air currents, allowing the wind itself to shape the scene and create a sense of weightlessness and freedom.
• Earth: Filmed near the rugged mountains of Dubai, this sequence was built on improvisation and raw physicality, led by an incredibly talented dancer-choreographer. Ground-level shots and wide angles highlighted the rich textures of the terrain, reinforcing the element’s stability and deep connection to nature.
• Water: Shot in a large swimming pool at a school facility, we filmed at night to control the lighting, setting up powerful beams to illuminate the water. Using an underwater camera housing, the team dived beneath the surface to capture fluid, weightless movement. Our model, a professional champion swimmer, brought precision and elegance to the sequences, embodying the element’s constant transformation.
• Fire: Filmed at night in the desert, we worked with controlled open flames, enhancing their intensity using flammable liquids and combustible powders to create dramatic bursts of fire. The interplay of heat, light, and movement brought a raw, elemental power to the scene, emphasizing the unpredictable and untamed nature of fire.

Costume Design & Fashion

Since fashion is central to Elemental Beauty, each outfit created by Tatiana Tatalovic represented its respective element through color palette, texture, and silhouette:

• Fire: Fiery reds, swirling fabrics, and bold cuts suggested passion and intensity.
• Earth: Muted browns, sturdy textiles, and grounded lines symbolized resilience and stability.
• Air: Ethereal whites, flowing layers, and translucent materials reflected weightlessness and movement.
• Water: Fluid blue shapes, shimmering fabrics, and aquatic hues highlighted the element’s adaptability and depth.

This careful alignment of costume design and elemental themes helped fuse the functional aspects of clothing with a powerful visual statement on how nature continuously influences fashion. The look was further elevated by exquisite, custom-designed jewelry created specifically for the project by Hota Hota Jewellery (hotahota.com), adding another layer of artistry and connection to the natural elements.

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Music & Sound Design

The soundscape for Elemental Beauty—crafted in part by CloZee (Chloé Herry), a French musician, DJ, and producer—melds together ambient sounds of wind, water, crackling fire, and subtle earth vibrations with an ethereal musical score. The result is an immersive, meditative experience that complements the film’s visuals, drawing the viewer deeper into each elemental world.

“CloZee’s music resonated so well with the elements,” Elena notes. “It became a character of its own, guiding emotional transitions throughout the film. It influenced the direction of the editing, shaping the rhythm and flow of the final cut, ultimately defining how the film came together.”

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The Poetic Language of the Elements

A unique aspect of Elemental Beauty is its spoken-word narration, which enriches the film’s dreamlike and symbolic quality. Written by Kamau Abayomi, the verses weave through each element, reflecting its essence:

• Fire: “Ignite me and become the alchemist of your evolution. Every war within has a solution.”
• Water: “Baptized in a whirlpool, by magicians and fools. On the seabed she sat before a treasure chest waiting to be opened.”
• Earth: “Have you ever stood still? Still enough to feel the Earth’s heart beating deep beneath your feet?”
• Wind: “My wings bring songs of freedom. Sing the chants, let the breeze blow.”

“I first met Kamau at the end of 2015 while we were both working on a project in North Sri Lanka, where we transitioned into 2016 together on New Year’s Eve. I still remember being completely mesmerized by his poetry—his words carried such depth, rhythm, and soul. He is an incredible artist, and when it came time to add voiceover to Elemental Beauty, to give the elements a voice of their own, I immediately knew he was the perfect person for it.”

With everything set for post-production in early 2017, Elena crossed paths with actress Katie Hilliard, whose fantastic voice work added another dimension to the film. Her delivery gave weight and emotion to Kamau’s words, enhancing the film’s ethereal and immersive quality. The combination of spoken poetry and evocative narration deepened the connection between the elements and the audience, making Elemental Beauty not just something to watch, but something to experience.

This lyrical element adds another layer to the film, making it feel like an ancient fable—a story not just told, but felt.

Watch here: Katie Hilliard and Elena Kovalenko at La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival.

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Q&A with the Director: Elena on Elemental Beauty

We had the opportunity to speak with Elena Kovalenko about the film’s creative journey.

Q: What inspired you to create Elemental Beauty?

A: The idea for Elemental Beauty first came to me in the spring of 2016. I’ve always been fascinated by both nature and fashion, and I wanted to create a film that merged these two worlds in a visually compelling way. Initially, I envisioned a story that connected the core elements—wind, water, earth, and fire—to fashion, but it was only when I went on recce trips to explore potential locations that the true vision started to take shape. Being out in nature, and experiencing the raw energy of the landscapes, I realized that the elements themselves needed to be central to the narrative, guiding the movement, the cinematography, and even the way the fashion would be presented. From that point on, the film became more than just a concept—it became an organic collaboration between fashion, nature, and cinematic storytelling.

Q: How did the crowdfunding experience shape the project?

A: It was a great learning experience. While we didn’t raise money directly through Indiegogo, it helped us connect with an angel investor who believed in the vision. That’s how we secured the funds needed for production. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but it’s a soft reminder that when something doesn’t unfold the way we expect, the universe has an even better plan – Everything happens in divine order, and in the end, we are exactly where we need to be!

Q: What was it like to win at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival?

A: It was an unforgettable experience. The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival is one of the most prestigious high-end festivals, renowned for its impeccable attention to detail, celebration of fashion films, and outstanding hospitality. From the moment we arrived, the festival team ensured that every filmmaker felt valued and part of something truly special.

The film was not only screened in a beautiful theater, where Katie Hilliard and I attended multiple interviews, but the real surprise came during the awards ceremony. When they announced the winners on that massive stage, I was completely amazed—I didn’t expect it, but of course, I deeply hoped for it. The recognition brought an overwhelming wave of attention, including media coverage, interviews, and publicity, and it even led to Elemental Beauty being featured in Forbes as one of the 12 best fashion films of 2017 (Link).

Beyond the awards, the festival itself was a memorable milestone, bringing together an inspiring community of filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals. The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival is truly one of the most remarkable events in the world of fashion cinema, and to this day, it remains one of the top festivals in my heart.

Awards & Recognition

Since its release, Elemental Beauty has received widespread acclaim, earning recognition at prestigious fashion film festivals worldwide:

• Named one of “12 Best Fashion Films of 2017” by Forbes
• Winner – Best Editing, La Jolla International Film Festival 2017
• Nominated – Best Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, and Creative Concept at La Jolla International Film Festival 2017
• Official Selection – Fashion Film Festival Chicago 2017
• Official Selection – Miami Fashion Film Festival 2017
• Official Selection – Chelsea Fashion and Film Festival 2017
• Official Selection – Sharjah Film Festival 2020

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Watch the full film here: Elemental Beauty – Full Film 

Credits

Director/ Producer/Editor: Elena Kovalenko (L’infini)
Costume Designer: Tatiana Tatalovic (TATA) Jewellery: Ana Janković (Hotahota)
Directors of Photography: Tiago Dias; Elias Trad
Music: CloZee
Lyrics: Kamau Abayomi
Voice: Kate Hilliard
Wind: Elena Kovalenko – Earth: Rich Samoda – Water: Omar Al Hamadi –Fire: Milena Missic