On July 4th, Berlin Fashion Week hosted a quietly powerful moment: Awakening, the latest collection by Karin Brettmeister of Ritual Unions. Known for her artisanal, Berlin-based bridal couture, Brettmeister stepped beyond the altar with a collection that merged bridal codes with avant-garde eveningwear—handmade, intimate, and rich with emotion.
Crafted entirely in her Berlin atelier, the pieces retained the romantic detail of bridal fashion—lace, pearl, tulle—but reworked through an unorthodox lens. Floor-length veils became sculptural capes; fitted gowns were layered with asymmetric sheers and tactile repurposed textiles.
There was rebellion here, but also control—expressed visually through garments that borrowed from fetishwear. Ritual Unions sent models walking with their hands tied behind their backs in satin ribbon. Others wore skeletal corsetry, sheer veils tied around their heads, or bodices held in place by delicate straps.
Brettmeister’s use of leftover fabrics, hand-sewn florals, and genderless forms added a tactile softness to the sharper edges.
These were not traditional bridal silhouettes but silhouettes that hinted at restraint, exposure, and metamorphosis.
The show itself unfolded with a sense of ceremony. Models walked slowly and with intention, their pacing measured, their presence almost devotional. There were no dramatic turns or theatrics—just a steady, immersive flow that emphasized silhouette, texture, and weight. This allowed each garment’s detail to resonate: the shimmer of tulle, the pull of a satin ribbon, the way lace moved gently with each step.
As Berlin Fashion Week continues to highlight designers who move outside traditional systems, Ritual Unions remains a voice of poetic defiance. With Awakening, Brettmeister doesn’t just design for brides—she designs for anyone undergoing transformation. Her garments feel like offerings: quiet, intentional, and unforgettable.
Ritual Unions: ritual-unions.com // @ritualunions
Images from:
The Saums (@the.saums) // Lisa Wild (@iamlisawild) // Lars Nitsch (@larsnitsch)
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