ISSUE FW’26
In our new FW’26 issue, we take you to the south of France and to Renée and Jan’s wedding, which was a celebration of love, friendship and style. We also sit down with Louis Abel founder Jimmy Loutfi for an in-depth interview about how his own wedding rings marked the start of a new chapter in fine jewellery, and look ahead to New York Bridal Fashion Week for the silhouettes, details and ideas that will set the tone for the coming season.
Wedding
Understated Luxury – Carsten & Philip
Some weddings try to impress. Others don’t need to. Carsten & Philip’s wedding in Munich was based on clear choices, a strong aesthetic and a feel that was entirely their own.
The result was an evening where fashion, architecture and personal touches blended together to create an experience that felt both natural and unforgettable, with a sense of modern minimalism that we all love.
They met online in January 2020. Philip was living in Munich, Carsten was commuting from Berlin, and their first date took place at a small Italian restaurant, which has since become a recurring ritual. Every year, they return to the same table to mark the start of their shared story. Philip initially considered cancelling that evening. Instead, he made his way through the city to meet Carsten – a decision that changed everything.
The proposal came a few years later during a winter weekend in South Tyrol. Surrounded by the Dolomites and far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the moment turned out exactly as they’d hoped: private, sincere and with absolutely no audience.
“It was a nerve-wracking moment, and I knew almost straight away that I wanted to pop the question,” says Carsten.
Afterwards, they opened a bottle of champagne whilst the family was already waiting for the news. Sharing the news with their loved ones made the moment even more special.
Fashion was a natural part of the story.
Right from the start, they knew they wanted to wear something that would feel just as right in twenty years’ time as it did that evening. The choice naturally fell on Ralph Lauren Purple Label.
Both wore made-to-measure tuxedos with white dinner jackets, black silk trousers and patent leather shoes from Church’s. Wearing identical outfits was a conscious decision – graphic, confident and symbolic.
“We wanted something classic, but with attitude. An outfit that still feels just right when we look back at the photos.”
A venue with its own character
They chose the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich, where they became the first couple to get married in the museum’s halls. The high ceilings, the monumental architecture and the winter light created an atmosphere that made the room feel just as much a part of the story as the guests themselves.
The ceremony was led by Philip’s two best friends, which gave the whole occasion a personal touch amidst the grand surroundings.
Deep tones and sharp contrasts
Florist Studio Lilo worked with dark red anthuriums, dramatic textures and long installations that created a stark contrast to the museum’s light-coloured interiors. The colour palette felt more like a fashion editorial than traditional wedding décor.
Dinner was served at long tables beneath sculptures and candlelight. The atmosphere was carefully considered, relaxed and full of details that were allowed to take centre stage without competing with one another.
When Carsten and Philip look back, it isn’t a specific detail they remember most vividly, but the feeling of truly being present. A quick glance around the room, a brief pause between the ceremony and dinner, and the knowledge that everything was allowed to unfold at its own pace.
Four pieces of advice from Carsten & Philip
THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR A MODERN WEDDING
- Choose what feels right for you. According to Carsten and Philip, the most important thing was that the whole wedding should reflect who they are as a couple. Instead of trying to recreate other people’s ideas, they focused on the decisions that felt genuine and personal.
- Go for a style that stands the test of time. When choosing their tuxedos, they didn’t base their decision on trends, but on garments that would feel just as right when they look back at the photos many years from now. Their advice is to invest in outfits with a strong silhouette, a good fit and high-quality materials.
- Let the venue be part of the story. Choosing the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum proved crucial to the atmosphere of the day. A venue with a distinct character sets the tone and means fewer details are needed to create a strong overall effect.
- Presence over perfection. What left the strongest impression after the wedding wasn’t a specific detail, but the feeling of truly being present. Their best advice is simple: let go of the pursuit of perfection and focus on experiencing the day together.
