Every piece in our collection carries hours of handcraft, personal heritage, and intentional material choices. Our rental service exists so these pieces can live beyond the atelier, creating new stories while generating value from what already exists rather than producing something new. We ask that you treat each piece with the same care and intention that went into making it.
How It Works
- Browse — Visit our rental collection and choose your piece.
- Choose your dates — Pick your rental period using the calendar on the rental page.
- Book — Complete checkout. Your rental fee and security deposit are charged at booking.
- Receive — Your piece arrives in a reusable cotton garment bag, ready to wear.
- Return — Ship the piece back in the same bag by the end of your rental period.
Rental Period
All rentals run for 7 days, counted from the day your piece arrives to the day you ship it back.
Need more time? Contact us at contact@marielouisemueller.com before your return date. Extensions are subject to availability and charged at a daily rate (1/7 of your rental fee per additional day).
Pricing
Rental fees are set per piece and displayed on each rental page. Shipping within Germany is included in the rental price. For rentals within the EU, a flat shipping fee of 10 EUR applies.
Security Deposit
A security deposit is collected at the time of booking alongside your rental fee. The deposit is 95 EUR for garments and 45 EUR for headpieces.
Your deposit is fully refunded within 7 business days after we receive and inspect the returned piece, provided it comes back in the same condition it left.
The deposit may be partially or fully retained in cases of:
- Unreported damage beyond normal wear
- Stains that require specialist treatment
- Missing components (belts, buttons, headpiece elements)
- Failure to return the piece
What We Consider Normal Wear
These pieces are made to be worn. We expect and accept:
- Light creasing from movement and sitting
- Minor loosening of threads at stress points
- Faint scent of perfume or body
We handle all professional cleaning between rentals. You do not need to dry-clean or wash the piece before returning it. Simply return it in the cotton garment bag.
Damage
If something happens during your rental, tell us immediately at contact@marielouisemueller.com. Honest communication means everything.
Marie-Louise offers a lifetime repair guarantee on all pieces. Many issues that look alarming (a pulled thread, a loose embellishment) are straightforward fixes in the atelier. Early reporting often means the full deposit comes back.
Damage charges are assessed on a case-by-case basis, proportional to the actual repair cost, not the full deposit. We will always share photos and a breakdown before making any deduction.
If a piece is damaged beyond repair or lost entirely, the full replacement value as determined by the atelier will be charged.
Care During Your Rental
These are handcrafted pieces in natural materials (cotton, linen, silk, wool). A few things to keep in mind:
- Store flat or on a padded hanger — never on a wire hanger or crumpled in a bag
- Keep away from direct heat sources — natural fibers are sensitive to high heat
- Avoid contact with rough surfaces — crochet work and embroidery can snag
- Be mindful of jewelry and accessories — rings and bracelets can catch on threads
- Spot-clean only if needed — dab gently with a damp cloth, never rub or scrub
- No machine washing, tumble drying, or ironing under any circumstances
For specific care questions about your rented piece, contact us and we will advise.
Returns
Return shipping is prepaid. A return label is included with your delivery. Pack the piece in the cotton bag it arrived in and drop it at any DHL location.
Your return must be posted by the final day of your rental period. We track all returns. If a tracking number is not registered by the return date, late fees apply.
Late Returns
| Days Late | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Daily rate (1/7 of rental fee per day) |
| 4-7 days | Daily rate + 50 EUR administrative fee |
| 8+ days | Piece treated as unreturned — full replacement value charged |
If you know you will be late, contact us. We can almost always work something out if you communicate in advance.
Cancellations
| When You Cancel | What Happens |
|---|---|
| More than 14 days before rental start | Full refund (rental fee + deposit) |
| 7-14 days before rental start | 70% refund of rental fee + full deposit returned |
| Less than 7 days before rental start | No refund of rental fee. Full deposit returned |
| After piece has shipped | No refund. Return the piece for deposit refund |
Cancellations can be made by emailing contact@marielouisemueller.com with your order number.
Eligibility
- Rentals are available to customers within the EU and UK
- You must be 18 years or older to rent
- A valid payment method is required for the security deposit hold
- We reserve the right to decline a rental request if a previous rental was returned in unacceptable condition
Insurance
Our rental fee does not include insurance during transit or while the piece is in your possession. We strongly recommend:
- Choosing the insured return shipping option (prepaid label includes basic coverage)
- Not leaving the piece unattended in vehicles, at events, or in hotel lobbies
For high-value rentals (pieces above 1,500 EUR retail), we recommend arranging personal contents insurance for the rental period. Contact us if you need documentation for your insurer.
Contact
Email: contact@marielouisemueller.com
Response time: Within 24 hours on business days
Urgent matters during your rental: Include "URGENT" in the subject line
Renting a handcrafted piece is an act of trust — yours in us, and ours in you. These pieces carry hundreds of hours of work and irreplaceable personal meaning. We believe in making them accessible while protecting their integrity. Thank you for being part of that.
Marie-Louise Müller UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Berlin, Germany
Last updated: April 2026