On a Sunday afternoon in Berlin, the city embraced a transformative experience as System Recovery: (R)EVOLUTION IRRESISTIBLE took centre stage during Berlin Fashion Week. Presented by Melisa Minca, this event redefined the traditional fashion show format, offering a compelling blend of activism, performance, and creative expression.
Melisa Minca – @melisaminca
@berlinfashionwe
@fashioncouncilgermany
Photographer Indigo Lewisohn went backstage for us to capture the show @indigo_lewisohn
With a strong message advocating for silenced voices and addressing global injustices, the show reflected a spirit of revolution. Drawing inspiration from Adrienne Maree Brown’s Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good (2019), the narrative positioned activism as a space for joy and connection, driving radical change. (R)EVOLUTION IRRESISTIBLE delved into concepts such as the erotic as power, love as a form of political resistance, and the reclamation of vitality through pleasure. It introduced a new archetype of the revolutionary—one that balances assertive action with self-care, emphasizing the importance of joy in sustaining the fight for change.
The event included a significant speech by @bundaskanzlerin, who addressed the intersections of resistance and empowerment, alongside a performance by @guttergucci that showcased bold self-expression. The innovative production by @transnormalcy crafted a narrative of resilience, highlighting fashion as a medium for advocacy. Activists joined models on stage to communicate a collective message of solidarity with communities in Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and other regions.
The collection featured reclaimed and vintage fabrics, ingeniously upcycled into striking garments including deconstructed suits and ethereal silk pieces. Each design resonated with the spirit of powerful, sensual warriors, characterized by upward spirals and natural fibres. The use of elements like the keffiyeh signified solidarity, while silhouettes captured the essence of the modern revolutionary—bold, wearable, and unapologetically resistant. Adhering to zero-waste principles and a focus on repurposed materials, the collection stood as a symbol of sustainability and empowerment.
Attendees departed with a sense of inspiration and empowerment, receiving pamphlets that directed them to social projects, volunteer opportunities, and avenues to engage with Berlin’s policymakers. This initiative underscored the show’s dedication to promoting activism and collective action as avenues for societal change.
Melisa Minca’s System Recovery: (R)EVOLUTION IRRESISTIBLE echoed the sentiments of Toni Cade Bambara: “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” This event demonstrated fashion’s ability to inspire, provoke, and foster transformation, envisioning a future where art, joy, and resistance unite as forces for collective progress.
Thank you to the Sponsors: Assila, Calow, Doc Martens
Design & Collection: Melisa Minca – @melisaminca
Production: Zoey Lee – @transnormalcy, Melisa Minca – @melisaminca
Sewing Intern: Connsi Lykoudis – @connsi
Seamstress: Angelique Oyewole – @oyewoleee
Executive Producer & PR: Emilia Passmore – @emiliapassmore
Stylist: Reka Gardai – @rekaxgx
Stylist Assistant: Frank Snow – @ffrankl.lin
Social Media: Masa Al Turk – @masalturkk & Reka Gardai – @rekaxgx
Communication Support: Tyla Jurgens @schneehassi
PR Support: Rafael Sergi @rafi__srg
Performance Director: Riley Davidson – @guttergucci https://rileydavidson.art/
Performers: Lawunda Richardson – @thelawunda, Casey – @eddyentropy
Speech Performance: Naya de Souza – @bundaskanzlerin https://nayadesouza.com/
Choreographer: Marlene Schomberg – @marleesch
Choreographing Assistant: Mayila Khodadin – @mayila_khodadin
Dancers: Frederikke Hamberg – @frederikkehamberg, Ina Jia Guo – @_inajia, Eleni Vogiadjis – @artemisia_effendi, Samira Aakcha – @sami_aak
Graphic Design: Tatiana Efremova @tanyasmiling
Photographer Front of House: Alison Clare Coates – @alisonclare_ix
Photographers: Sarah Fuchs – @sarah.fuchs, Juliana Krzywiec – @julianakrz, Peter Skinner – @skinnershot, Isabell Kessler – @isabell_kessler, Indigo Lewisohn – @indigo_lewisohn
Videographers: Tommy Khang Lieu, Tom Chanisraphet, Chase Becsey
Accessories Collaborations: Necklaces: Minnen Collection – @minnen.collection, Nose & Ear Pieces: Luise Zücker – @luisezuecker, Rings: Bebys Bliss – @bebysbliss, Hats: HOA (House of Altera) – @hoa_berlin, Bags: BBMS – @bitchesbemadsad, Donner Villanueva – @donnervillanueva, Neck Pieces: Lau De Sousa – @laucdesousa, Vamp Industries – @vamp.industries
Makeup: Jacinta del Solar Dorrego – @jacinta.mkp
Makeup Assistants: Azul Urrutia Galaz – @sombrazul_, Daniella Alsopp – @ddals00p, Jasmin Oliveira Oppitz – @jasplz, Lucia Sierra
Hair: Lau Perez – @lauperrea
Hair Assistants: Maiara Izabele – @maiarteizabele, Katya Cohe – @shaked_katya
Sound: Dornika – @dornikathepoet
Sound Edit: HAUSVRAU – @saint.hausvrau
Models: Joanna Bacas – @joannabacas, Naikee Simoneau – @notorious_naikee, Shaya – @shaya.from.guayas, Alaa Abdalwahab – @alaa_beat96, Ed Kempe – @awardwinningactress, Jade Lee – @thejade_lee, Cicy Dollas – @cicydollas, Briana Pegado – @brainapegado, Coco Klein – @coco_klein, Rowan El Goweiny – @rowanoplatz, Georgette – @still_georgette, Mandhla Ndubiwa – @mandhlandubiwa, Mayila Khodadin – @mayila_khodadin, Marlene Schomberg – @marleesch, Frederikke Hamberg – @frederikkehamberg, Ina Jia Guo – @_inajia, Eleni Vogiadjis – @artemisia_effendi, Samira Aakcha – @sami_aak, Riley Davidson – @guttergucci, Lawunda Richardson – @thelawunda, Casey – @eddyentropy, Naya de Souza – @bundaskanzlerin
Cocktails: Dorian Dethloff – @d.orian.de
Dressers & Runners: Ross Hunter – @rossjahunter, Carla Casanovasmarfil – @iv000ry, Vereniki Filippidi – @vereniki.filippid, Sophie Reissmann, Om Marinelli, Alicia Suerken, Caspar Breische, Tamara Geliashvili, Nils Just, Rashed Baarah
Special thanks: Francisca Morel – @fran.sonic, Axel Hahn – @organized.messes, Rachel Sabick, Leonardo Lodeserto, Isabella Rhein, Arikia Millikan, Awa, Alina Mae, Richard Alvarez, Vanka Mincova, Miran Biran