BTV Episode Two

Our latest podcast features guest Judit Yagüe Mateu — an energy medicine therapist and member of the Louise Maxwell Collective. Tune in as we discuss presence, perception and the beauty of imperfection...

This episode’s creative shoot explores the contrasts between the natural and the transformed. Captured on Ibiza’s northern coastline, our art film by Petalita and photography by Tracey Taylor are inspired by raw, unfiltered beauty — and its radical reinvention. 

OUR NATURAL STATE

Authenticity. It’s a word we hear so often — yet how close do we ever really come to it? We live in a world full of filters — on our screens, in our societies, and in our own selves. In daily life, we’re bombarded by content that is digitally altered, curated, or even entirely generated by AI. Social media surrounds us with impossible, artificial visions of perfection. It’s increasingly rare to see images — whether from brands, influencers, or people’s everyday posts — that haven’t been manipulated in some way. Online, it’s becoming ever harder to discern what’s real — and what that even means.

Often, we too present filtered versions of ourselves. Physically and emotionally, we mask the things we don’t want others to see — whether it’s altering the way we look or hiding aspects of who we are. Enhancing our appearance and expressing ourselves through the artistry of hair, make-up and clothing can be creative, joyful and empowering. At the same time, can we also embrace our natural state — our sometimes wild, messy, imperfect selves — without any layers or adornment?

The airbrushed images of ‘perfection’ that we’re flooded with have a powerful emotional impact. Pore-less, honed and wrinkle-free, they set distorted, unattainable standards that often leave us comparing ourselves unfavourably. Online, there are very few real — and truly diverse — representations of beauty. Instead, there’s a pervasive sense that beauty has an ideal, homogenised look.

Not only is this unachievable — it’s also not desirable. Perfection is an illusion. We each have a unique beauty that’s rooted in who we are as individuals. Celebrating our individuality opens new perspectives for ourselves and for the cultures we live in. And when we honour that uniqueness not just on the surface, but deep within, we move closer to something meaningful: the truth of who we are.

Learning to love and accept ourselves as we are — to embrace our light and our shadows — takes courage. The courage to be vulnerable, to let ourselves be seen, and to meet the parts of ourselves we often hide or deny. By embracing the unfiltered truth of who we are, we move toward greater coherence between mind, body and soul. If we can find this coherence, we are truly in our essence. And there’s real beauty in that.

Words: Nicola Corfield

Hair & Make-Up: Louise Maxwell

Photography: Tracey Taylor

Videography: Sohar Villegas

Model: Ava Chalmers

Wardrobe: Dawn Hindle

Production: Petalita