Amsterdam Faces: Melis Köke

Introducing Melis Köke – DJ, fashion designer, and an all-round creative powerhouse who you must put on your radar. Taking the Amsterdam scene by the storm, Melis’s artistic ethos is one that is built out of fearless self-expression – a commitment to experimenting and constantly exploring new waters. With this punk-infused unapologetic attitude, Melis now runs her own leather and knitwear brand MONDO TRASHO and is a part of the Istanbul-Berlin DJ collective Sirän, just to name a few things. As we stomp around the city in the new Dr. Martens Maybole collection, Melis tells us about her upbringing in Turkey, biggest inspirations, and affinity to the culture DM’s represent to her! 

Hey Melis! First and foremost, can you give our audience a little insight into your creative practice and what you do?

Hey there 🙂 My creative practice is mainly trying things out, failing, and finding new ways to do those things. I primarily DJ / make events and apart from that I have a clothing brand.

Balancing a clothing brand and a DJ career sounds intense! How do you manage the artistic process for both without compromising your vision?

My vision is deeply woven into every aspect of my life — from the way I move to the music I listen to and the clothing I create. Whatever I produce carries a piece of that vision. The challenge lies in balancing my day and night life because I’m equally drawn to both. I thrive in the energy of both worlds. However, DJing too much can consume me. When I overdo it, it starts to feel less genuine and it drains my spirit. When that happens I shift my focus to my brand. But then when I feel the pull to get back to DJing, I follow that instinct. The nightlife, the resistance, the spontaneous conversations with interesting people — all of that fuels my brand. These experiences keep me inspired and push my creativity forward. So, my brand and DJing are intertwined; they feed off each other. I need to stay connected to the underground to keep my perspective fresh and to continually blend that with my vision.

Your brand embodies a punkish, rebellious spirit. Do you have any personal experiences or inspirations that led you to this aesthetic?

Definitely. I think the fire within me started to ignite from the household I grew up in. My father is a soldier, I grew up surrounded by him and his best friends from the army who each are very unique people with revolutionary approaches to life. I was introduced to the corruptness of the world from a young age and I’ve been raised in a ‘defend yourself or die’ mentality. Harsh reality but truth you know! Eat or be eaten… But when I hit puberty, I was having some troubles with my household, mainly with my father.  Then I left the house, lived in places and those places led to finding my lost sister, Aslı. She’s beyond dispute one of the most influential person in my life. The front-singer of the first Turkish female Punk band, TAMPON. She taught me so many things but one thing that really stood out was having the balls to jump into any unexplored creative territory and experiment with things. Not being afraid to fail. Because when you fail, you’re forced to explore new possibilities, adapt, and grow in ways you might never have imagined. This makes the journey thrilling because it’s filled with unexpected twists and turns. And that’s Punk in my opinion. Having the balls to fail. 

Punk is also about breaking the rules! What’s one fashion/music rule that is ready to be broken?

To be honest, I can’t come up with any unbroken rules haha. I think this generation already is about no rules, or it might as well be the bubble I have surrounded myself with. 

How do Amsterdam and Istanbul shape your identity as a designer and DJ? Are there specific elements from each city that you incorporate into your work? 

Yes for sure. I find Istanbul to be a very interesting city, it’s full of excitement. Every turn reveals something new, keeping the experience fresh. Even after spending ten years of my life there I’m still meeting new people every weekend. I love that about Istanbul. that it’s incredibly dynamic—there’s no concept of sleep. The city is alive 24/7, with something happening at every hour of the day, and that energy fascinates me. The unexpected clarinet and drum pull-ups of street musicians, the sound of azan, the light pollution, street fights and the mind-blowing landscape of course — are some of the elements that I’m very inspired by. Amsterdam, on the other hand, inspires me in a different way. It’s a very cosmopolitan city where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with people from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and languages. The diversity here is thrilling, and the variety of perspectives I’ve encountered has been enriching. Both cities are very unique In their own ways. The trashy city center vibe of Amsterdam is really specific and I like it. All the rusty fetish stores, the migration of tourist tribes from all directions, the smell of piss & weed… I love it!

As for your DJ work, how do you prepare for a set?

I’m on the hunt all day everyday! One thing tho, I have a WhatsApp group chat with a bunch of music nerd friends of mine. 24/7 active, yes, one of those haha. Before some of my sets, I send my setlist in the group chat, define the vibe I’m going for and there the conversation starts itself. I receive a lot of nice surprise tracks and ideas from my friends. Except that, it’s the same old bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube tricks. I make sure all my tracks sound slick on rekordbox before hitting the stage. And I always back my music up and bring multiple USB’s with me.

Dream b2b?

Uuuhh. That’s a hard one. If I have to name only one I’d have to go with Robert Hood of course. He’s been my favorite of all time. 

Let’s talk Dr. Martens! The history of the brand ties right in with punk culture, which grants the boots a history in both fashion and music cultures. How do you think these boots bridge your worlds of fashion and DJing?

I’m obsessed with this brand since I first watched This is England as a teen. I already have 8 pairs of Dr. Martens so far and I’m still counting. This brand is ‘the’ culture, you know. This is one of those brands for me. So at that point I can’t differentiate fashion, music or any other medium of art — it’s one line glued all together. It works in any setting. Oh, especially this model! It’s a classic cut that could work with any fit. I’m gonna rock them in and out the booth so hard!

And if we’re talking off-duty, what would be your go-to outfit to pair with the new Maybole Chelsea boots?

I think a pair of saggy, straight, rusty jeans – white tee and a leather jacket. Boom! 

Where do you find inspiration when it comes to your creative process?

My studio is one big inspiration orgy of me and my partner Ruben. Throughout our creative process, we constantly check each other: “Do you think this is wack or cool?” We engage in ongoing debates about what’s good or bad, what it resembles, how it can be improved, and whether it should be buried to the ground or hang in a museum. I find inspiration and beauty in a lot of things, but I like it better when I find that in ugly things. Like trash, concrete, mold, scars and such. Also, Mother Nature and stars fascinate all of us, of course! Inspiration is everywhere. In every conversation or connection there is something if you’re willing to receive it.

What’s been the biggest challenge in your career, juggling between a brand and a music career?

Balancing day-night life and also balancing passion-profession. It takes time but we’re getting there.

Looking ahead, what are your dreams for the future of your brand and your music? Are there any new directions you’re excited to explore?

Yes definitely… I want to get better at producing music and learn to play the guitar. I would love to play more vinyl-only gig’s as I have some great 80’s disco, new wave, synth pop and Anatolian psy rock records, all the promoters out there hear me out! And for my brand… I’m committed to finding a sustainable path for growth—one that respects and protects the environment. I want to keep on making clothing that empower people, not limit them. I aspire to work with creatives from all around the world, blending diverse perspectives to create meaning. The ultimate goal is to have a store of course. A space where MONDO TRASHO will come to life, and where people can experience the full impact of what we stand for.

Sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to see you this Friday 🙂

See you then!