• Wedding Dress Collections

To Karin Brettmeister, Founder & Design of Ritual Unions, "Labor of Love" means work done for pleasure, not reward. Karin stresses the importance of sustainability, diversity and quality in her designs. Ritual Unions was founded the brand in 2017 after Karin spent time designing collections for Marchesa and J. Mendel in New York and she's no stranger to the bridal industry.

Labor of Love 2022/23 Collection

It's the passion I find in creating couture gowns. It can also mean the labor to maintain a relationship in my interpretation. My grandparents have not only spent their entire lives as a married couple, they also worked together in their tailoring atelier. A true labor of love on so many levels and a forever inspiration for me.

The creations of Ritual Unions are all about authenticity. Far away from kitsch and princess, a contemporary aesthetic comes to the fore, which convinces through the highest standards of craftsmanship. A soul is breathed into the dresses, expressed through loving details and unique lines. The designs subtly want to get rid of a message. Sometimes it is a bit of rebellion, now and then a touch of irony or just pure love. Beauty in itself is an essential ingredient in life, which humanity needs as a basic need. But for Ritual Unions not only visual features count, but also a profound inspiration. Here we draw from themes such as mysticism, psyche and society. What does marriage actually mean in today's world? As individual as the answers to this question are the wearers of the elaborate robes with character.

SUSTAINABILITY

All garments are individually handmade in the studio in Berlin. It is only produced upon order. Only as much of the high-quality materials is ordered as is actually needed. Packaging material and fabric scraps are recycled. Great importance is attached to fair working conditions and processes are constantly improved to become even more sustainable.

DIVERSITY 

Through designs such as wedding dresses in black, jumpsuits, silhouettes from feminine to androgynous, from laced-up corsets to casual two-pieces, from revealing to high-necked, delicate lace appliqués and sophisticated draping, the designer reinvents bridal fashion for people who celebrate their uniqueness and love. 

QUALITY

Karin works with couture processing techniques that she learned in Paris and New York, among other places. The dresses are incredibly light and comfortable to wear. Countless hours of loving handwork and high-quality fabrics such as lace and silk from Europe go into each piece.

• Fashion Styling: Judith Breil
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: SL Make Up and Hair
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Elouisa Kotterba
• Model: Eva Ariane Heise
• Model: Frieder Sell
• Model: Joana Mayr
• Wedding Dresses: Ritual Unions
• Wedding Photographers: The Saums