The collaboration between Movement Director and Physical Narrator Marie Zechiel and multidisciplinary artist Mark Fernyhough unfolds somewhere between raw performance, sharp fashion photography, and cinematic world-building. Staged within the curated, vanguard environment of STUDIO183 in Berlin, the editorial explores movement not simply as choreography, but as a living narrative language capable of shaping identity, emotion, and physical storytelling. Here, clothing becomes a direct catalyst for character, instinct, and transformation.
While Marie Zechiel approaches the human form as an emotional instrument, Mark Fernyhough brings his distinct, signature visual universe of retro-futurism, pop aesthetics, and intense cinematic theatricality into the project. Built upon a long-standing creative friendship, their collaborative process creates a space where instinct completely overrides hierarchy and raw spontaneity outweighs rigid formatting. As Fernyhough notes, “My shoots are closer to documenting a live performance than something static or classically fashion.”
At STUDIO183—a concept gallery known for curating emerging and established designers across fashion, jewellery, and interior design—the project evolved into an authentic, interdisciplinary playground. Each selected look became the precise starting point for a new physical narrative, resulting in a surreal, high-energy dialogue between body, image, and imagination. Instead of approaching the body as something static or traditionally performative, the creative concept treated each garment as an immediate trigger for physical transformation. Through intense improvisation and spontaneous interaction, new characters and distinct visual worlds emerged completely naturally throughout the session. The resulting imagery exists somewhere between a high-fashion editorial, raw performance art, and cinematic fiction—playful, surreal, and emotionally immediate.
The Creative Force Behind the Lens and Body
Marie Zechiel operates between Berlin and Paris as a Movement Director and Physical Narrator, researching and developing sophisticated movement languages for international visual narratives. Her practice is grounded in the deep belief that movement shapes atmosphere and emotional depth as intensely as lighting, sound, or physical design. “Even when I direct others, there’s always a part of me moving with them,” Zechiel says of her fluid process. Working across fashion, film, and commercial productions, she specialises in translating abstract, complex concepts into precise physical expression—reconciling our digital world with physical intuition while keeping the body at the absolute centre of visual storytelling. Her previous portfolio includes high-profile collaborations with the likes of Rolls-Royce, Longines, and Heidi Klum.
Complementing this physical intuition is London/Berlin-based multidisciplinary artist Mark Fernyhough, who works across photography, filmmaking, music, and writing. His distinct visual universe seamlessly combines retro sci-fi aesthetics with fashion, performance art, and cinematic storytelling. Fernyhough’s work has been featured across major platforms, including VOGUE and Rolling Stone Magazine, with his films, photography, and music exhibited internationally in New York, London, Paris, and Berlin. His practice consistently investigates the volatile tension between highly theatrical stylisation and raw human presence, asserting that “a level of theatrical artifice brings the viewer closer to the true essence of the model.”
An Interdisciplinary Concept Gallery
The entire editorial was realised at STUDIO183, the Berlin-based concept gallery founded by Katrina Ryback. Curating an exceptional selection of fashion, jewellery, and interior design from both emerging and established designers, the space functions as an essential interdisciplinary environment where contemporary fashion actively meets artistic experimentation and visual storytelling. Through its carefully curated selection of garments and objects, Studio183 provided the perfect, dynamic setting for this level of collaboration and creative discovery, embodying Zechiel’s ultimate vision for the project: “I would love people to feel a little less restrained — physically, emotionally, creatively.”
To dive deeper into the minds behind this extraordinary collaboration, read our full exclusive interview below.
INTERVIEW
Katrina Ryback: The Mark Fernyough X Marie Zechiel “Instinctive Playground” collaboration marks the revival of a long-standing creative friendship! How has your intuitive, unspoken understanding evolved over the years, and what does it feel like to bring this mature dialogue into the interdisciplinary environment of STUDIO183?
Mark Feryhough:
I think “matured” is not really applicable in our case, outside of the fact that we completely trust each
other artistically and let each other do our thing. Otherwise, working together is more like a
surrealist creative playground really — it feels very fresh, positive and exciting.
Marie Zechiel:
I completely agree with Mark — that trust in our shared aesthetics was there from the very start.
We have always respected each other’s distinct vision without trying to impose one over the other,
which is why our collaboration has always felt so effortless and light.
In a sense, I would say I’ve matured, though. While Mark has always been iconic, when we first
started, I was transitioning from working as a professional dancer — mainly executing the visions
of others — to developing my own creative universe. Having more artistic freedom, but also full
responsibility in my own projects, I value working with Mark even more — it is simply delightful
and fun, especially at Studio 183, where we could truly lean into that collaborative playground.
Freely choosing from so many looks felt like paradise.
Katrina Ryback: There appears to be no hierarchy in your work—only a shared ambition to create. Was there a specific moment during the shoot at STUDIO183 where your
preconceived ideas dissolved, giving way to something entirely unforeseen?
Marie Zechiel:
I think this time the different looks really shaped the outcome. Clothing doesn’t just challenge or
limit your range of movement as a performer or model — for me, it immediately triggers a
transformation. I start developing a character instinctively, and that often leads the direction
somewhere unexpected. In that sense, a lot of the preconceived ideas fell away naturally during
the shoot.
Mark Fernyhough:
Whilst I have artistic themes and obsessions I return to again and again, like retro futurism and
combining pop art with high art, I like to work spontaneously within the given framework. To me,
an element of creativity must be instinctive, as that makes for exciting and vital work.
Collaborating with Marie feels very natural and effortless as it’s an extension of our long-term
creative friendship. She’s a striking and intriguing protagonist visually — slightly alien, slightly
androgynous and always stunning. She claims to come from Germany, but I don’t believe her.
Mars is more likely — and that’s a compliment!
Katrina Ryback: Mark, your multidisciplinary practice spans music, writing, and visual art, with features in VOGUE and Rolling Stone. How do you capture that fine line between a staged pose and a truly spontaneous, raw moment?
Mark Fernyhough:
I have a history of photographing opera and contemporary dance, so I bring that energy to my
shoots, which are closer to documenting a live performance than something static or more
classically fashion. I find, ironically, that a level of theatrical artifice brings the viewer closer to the true
essence of the model.
Katrina Ryback: Marie, your practice as a Movement Director bridges your own artistic
creations with high-profile collaborations for clients like Rolls-Royce, Longines, and Heidi
Klum. How do you navigate shifting from orchestrating movement behind the scenes to
stepping in front of the camera yourself? Does your creative mindset alter when you are the one physically embodying the narrative?
Marie Zechiel:
To be honest, not that differently. My choreography and movement direction are both rooted in my
own physicality and emotional relationship to movement, so even when I direct others, there’s
always a part of me, moving with them.
And I’ve realised that the performer in me still needs to exist too. Being in front of the camera from
time to time feels important — otherwise I’d be neglecting a very real part of who I am.
Katrina Ryback: If this project is a response to a modern craving for pure experience, what is the singular sensation or feeling you want viewers to physically resonate with when they encounter these images?
Mark Fernyhough:
These photos are about energy and physicality rather than intellect. The images capture the spirit
of Marie and how she encapsulates art, fashion and contemporary dance in her work and life. My
images and video art are either quite dark, dreamy and cinematic or bright, energetic and pop art
— these pictures are definitely in the latter camp.
Marie Zechiel:
I would love people to feel a little less restrained — physically, emotionally, creatively. We all need
structure and control, of course, but some of the most beautiful moments happen when you let go
of them for a second. There’s something very freeing about allowing spontaneity, breaking certain
rules, and simply enjoying the experience.
Photography — Mark Fernyhough @markfernyhough
Movement Direction & Performance — Marie Zechiel @mariezechiel @movementdirector
Location — STUDIO183, Berlin @studio183_berlin
Words – Katrina Ryback
Styling Assistant – Mali Pedeferri @maaliuu
Fashion:
LOOK 1 Dress @remesalt Shoes: @newrockrock
LOOK 2 Dress @taniaorellana
LOOK 3 Dress: @mariachany Necklace: @kabuk Shoes: @newrockrock
LOOK 4 Jacket @danshuu Top @thirataf Pants & Skirt @taniaorellana Shoes: @newrockrock
