KARIN BRETTMEISTER
Karin Brettmeister, the visionary founder of Ritual Union in Berlin, has an inspiring story of how she came to create a celebrated space in the world of bridal fashion. Her path into wedding dress designing is as unexpected as it is deeply intertwined with her personal history. In this exclusive interview, we explore her beginnings, her approach to design, and her evolution as both a designer and an individual.
How did you get started in fashion? Specifically, wedding dress designing?
For Karin, becoming a designer felt almost inevitable. From a young age, she either dreamed of being a designer or a hippie, a thought that seemed to flow naturally from her upbringing in a family that owned textile shops. Surrounded by fabric and design, it was no surprise when she developed a passion for fashion.
Her time in New York was transformative. It was there that she fell in love with couture fashion, and it was through working in bridal couture—learning from apprenticeships and jobs with other designers—that she found herself being drawn into the world of wedding dresses.
Despite her love for couture, starting her own brand was not a calculated decision. It was more a question of necessity. “What am I selling, and what do I actually want to do?” she recalls asking herself. With no investors to back her, as an unknown in the industry, she realized she needed to create something people could immediately recognize and appreciate. In this realization, Ritual Union was born—an amalgamation of passion, practicality, and a touch of both love and logic.
Where are you from, and how did you end up in Berlin?
Brettmeister hails from Bavaria, but the story of how she ended up in Berlin is a beautiful accident. While traveling from London to New York with her former work team, she found herself caught in a visa issue at the airport. With no clear direction, she impulsively booked a cheap flight from New York to Berlin, unsure if she would even board the plane. As fate would have it, she did—and she never looked back. Ten years have passed since that serendipitous moment, and Berlin has become the home she never planned to have.
As a female designer, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being in this sector of the industry?
When asked about the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman in the fashion industry, Brettmeister reflects thoughtfully. She doesn't see her experience as defined by gender but rather by her identity as a person. “Most of my clients are women,” she notes, “so it’s an advantage in understanding the female body and how it feels.”
Creating wedding dresses is an incredibly intimate process. Each client often undergoes multiple fitting appointments, leading to a deep, trusting relationship. For Brettmeister, this connection is rooted in empathy, which, she believes, can be both a gift and a challenge. “Women are often raised to be people pleasers,” she says, acknowledging that sometimes this empathetic side makes it difficult to establish clear boundaries as a businesswoman. Yet, she also believes this nurturing instinct adds a layer of depth to her work.
As a designer known for radical sustainability, what makes you focused on being climate-conscious with your designs?
Brettmeister’s commitment to sustainability runs deep. She believes that, fundamentally, the process of making clothing hasn’t changed, but society’s attitude toward it has. Growing up in a textile family, she was immersed in the value of craftsmanship and quality. “Back then, clothes were made to last,” she says. “Today, the industry has become obsessed with speed and volume, creating an unsustainable level of waste.”
Ritual Union’s designs embody Brettmeister’s belief in sustainability. She refuses to follow the fast-fashion model, instead focusing on high-quality, enduring creations that tell a story of integrity and longevity. In her view, the value of a garment is not in its trendiness, but in its ability to transcend time.
Ritual Union designs stray away from typical traditional wedding garments and can even be cheeky. Tell us about those decisions.
Perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of Brettmeister’s work is her willingness to challenge the traditions of bridal fashion. In fact, she often surprises her clients by revealing that she herself is not married, nor does she plan to marry. “I think this actually makes me a better wedding dress designer,” she says with a smile. “I’m not bound by tradition or people’s expectations.”
To her, the notion that wedding dresses must be white, modest, or follow any other established rule is outdated. “These concepts are made up,” she insists. “The only important thing is that you feel good in what you wear.” This freedom allows her to design dresses that feel authentic to the individual bride, whether that means breaking with tradition or embracing something playful and unexpected.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
While Brettmeister has had many notable accomplishments—a dress featured in a major magazine or a celebrity wearing her creation on the red carpet—her proudest achievement is more personal. “My biggest accomplishment is allowing myself to fail,” she admits. Reflecting on a time when she thought she might lose everything, she shares a pivotal realization: “I was holding on so tightly, thinking that letting go meant failing. But I learned that there’s a big difference between letting go and actually failing.”
This moment, she says, was a turning point in both her career and her personal life—a reminder that true growth often arises from moments of vulnerability.
If you were to start over today, what would you change?
When asked if she would change anything about her journey, Brettmeister’s response is simple and resolute: “Nothing.” Every twist, turn, and unexpected detour has shaped her into the designer she is today. She believes that every step along the way, whether challenging or joyful, was exactly what she needed.
In the end, Karin Brettmeister’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and a fierce commitment to staying true to herself. Ritual Union is not merely a bridal brand—it is a reflection of her belief in the power of individuality, authenticity, and the importance of both love and logic in design.