Akris

{{Short description|Swiss fashion house}} {{Infobox company | name = Akris | logo = Akris Brand Logo.jpg | logo_size = 200px | type = Private | founder = Alice Kriemler-Schoch | key_people = Albert Kriemler, creative director; Peter Kriemler, CEO | industry = Fashion | products = Luxury goods | revenue = | net_income = | num_employees = 650+ | website = https://ch.akris.com | founded = {{Start date and age|1922}} in St. Gallen, Switzerland | hq_location_city = St. Gallen | hq_location_country = Switzerland | num_locations = Over 500 points of sale worldwide including freestanding boutiques | subsi = }}

'''Akris''' (stylized '''A-K-R-I-S-''') is a Swiss luxury fashion house specializing in haute couture and ready-to-wear for women. Founded in 1922, it is currently owned and led in the third generation of the Kriemler family with Albert Kriemler serving as its creative director.

==History== Akris was founded in 1922 by Alice Kriemler -Schoch in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The word "Akris" is derived from the letters of Kriemler - Schoch's name.<ref name="AK informant">{{cite web | url=http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/albertkriemler.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413183850/http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/albertkriemler.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 13, 2011 | title=Albert Kriemler Biography | publisher=Informant | date=April 5, 2011 | accessdate=24 July 2013 }}</ref><ref name=johnson>Johnson, Marylin. "Savvy women follow the dots to classy Akris". ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' (January 5, 2003).</ref> The company initially made simple dotted aprons that Kriemler-Schoch crafted on a single sewing machine.<ref name="AK informant"/><ref name=sochaswiss>Socha, Miles. "A Swiss account". ''W'' (October 1, 2003).</ref><ref name=givhan>Givhan, Robin. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/30/AR2005053000974.html "Luxury, Pure Style, Understated Eloquence: Akris's Creations For Women of Power"]. ''The Washington Post'' (May 31, 2005).</ref> Each piece is still designed in Switzerland and the company still uses the Swiss dot (polka dot) on gift boxes and tissue paper, as well as the Akris Punto logo.

In 1944, Kriemler-Schoch's son Max Kriemler took over the business.<ref name="AK informant" /><ref name="sochaswiss" /> The company grew significantly and began producing ready-to-wear clothing.<ref name="krienke">Krienke, Mary. [http://www.swissnews.ch/backissues/2007/09.07/sn0907_fashion%20special.pdf "Luxe without a logo"]{{Dead link|date=October 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} (PDF). ''Swiss News'' (September 1, 2007)</ref><ref name="walton">Walton, A. Scott. "Akris steps up as a fast-rising prestige brand". ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' (April 24, 2003).</ref> Following the lead of Max Kriemler, Akris also produced clothes for French designers Givenchy and Ted Lapidus.<ref name="krienke" />

However, in 1980, Max Kriemler's right-hand man{{who|date=July 2013}} died. Though Max's son Albert Kriemler had planned to travel to Paris to study fashion and apprentice at Givenchy, Max asked Albert to postpone his education for two years to assist in the company's transition.<ref name=givhan/><ref name=walton/><ref name=gillan>Gillan Griffin, Linda. "Designer creates clothing with Swiss precision". ''The Houston Chronicle''.</ref> He agreed.<ref name=walton/> Albert could never complete his fashion education; within those two years, he had already begun to take over the company.<ref name=walton/>

In 1987, Peter's expertise in law and economy made him a valuable addition to Akris, where he took charge of the company's financial operations alongside his brother Albert.<ref name="givhan" /> Peter is now Akris's global CEO, handling management and manufacturing.<ref name="AK informant" /><ref name="krienke" /> Peter Kriemler is credited with bringing the Akris collection to Asia with subsidiaries in Japan and Korea, as well as developing the worldwide network of directly operated stores.<ref name="givhan" />

Since 2004, the Akris collection has been shown during Paris fashion week - the only Swiss house in the Fédération française de la couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers, et des Créateurs de Mode.<ref name=ecch>ecch, the case for learning. [http://www.ifb.unisg.ch/~/media/internet/content/dateien/instituteundcenters/ifb/lehre/lehrbuecher%20und%20fallstudien/case%20studies/akris_312-166-1_inspection%20copy_eng.pdf "Akris: Competition in the High-End Fashion Industry"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413134053/http://www.ifb.unisg.ch/~/media/internet/content/dateien/instituteundcenters/ifb/lehre/lehrbuecher%20und%20fallstudien/case%20studies/akris_312-166-1_inspection%20copy_eng.pdf |date=2016-04-13 }}</ref>

==Timeline== {{Prose|date=April 2021}} *1922 Akris founded by Alice Kriemler-Schoch.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1944 Max Kriemler joins the company. Akris is transformed into a ready-to-wear brand.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1980 Albert Kriemler joins the company at the age of 19 and takes over creative responsibilities.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1985 Development of the current Akris company logo.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1987 Peter Kriemler joins the company. Official takeover of management by both brothers in the third generation. While Albert is wholly responsible for creation and the visual impact of the company, Peter controls management and production; while marketing responsibilities are shared.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1988 Sales debut of Akris at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1995 First global advertising campaign with US photographer Steven Klein, New York, and model Stella Tennant.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1996 Launch of the Designer Sportswear Collection Akris punto.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1996 Opening of the first Akris boutique in Paris and Boston.<ref name="AK informant"/> *mid-1990s Expansion to the department stores in the US and Canada with partners Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Holt Renfrew.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1996 Akris becomes a member of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode. It is one of the few non-French couturiers in this organization, such as Dries van Noten, Issey Miyake or Valentino.<ref name="AK informant"/> *1999 Opening of the first Akris Boutique in Seoul, Korea.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2000 Opening of Namiki Dori, Ginza, the first Akris Boutique in Tokyo, Japan.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2001 Opening of the boutique in Paris on Avenue Montaigne.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2002 Founding of the subsidiary Akris Japan Ltd. with headquarters in Tokyo.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2003 Opening of a boutique on Kohlmarkt in Vienna, Austria and the opening of a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2004 First official press defile <ref name="ecch"/> in Paris. Opening of a new boutique on Neuer Wall in Hamburg, Germany.<ref name="AK informant"/> *2006 Collaboration with the Vienna State Opera Ballet for their New Year Concert. *2008 Albert Kriemler is awarded ‘Grand Prix Design’ prize by the globally broadcast Swiss Federal Office of Culture in 2008 and honored with the "Swiss Design Award" for his achievements as the "most important international ambassador for fashion creation in design."<ref>{{cite web|title=Swiss Design Awards|url=http://www.swissdesignawards.ch/grandprix/2008/albert-kriemler/index.html?lang=en|work=Albert Kriemler|access-date=2011-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331103032/http://www.swissdesignawards.ch/grandprix/2008/albert-kriemler/index.html?lang=en|archive-date=2012-03-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> *2009 Akris acquires German handbag manufacturer Comtesse. *2010 Albert Kriemler is named the star honoree for fashion design at the 2010 Fashion Group International Awards in New York.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albert Kriemler Fashion Group International Awards |url=http://fashion.elle.com/culture/2010/10/29/akris-albert-kriemler-on-the-fashion-group-international-awards/ |work=Elle Magazine |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002154318/http://fashion.elle.com/culture/2010/10/29/akris-albert-kriemler-on-the-fashion-group-international-awards/ |archivedate=2011-10-02 }}</ref> *2011 Opening of two new boutiques in Munich, Germany and Ginza, Tokyo, Japan. *2011 First virtual trunk show held at Bergdorf Goodman.<ref name="AK informant" /> *2012 Akris celebrates its 90th anniversary. Publishing house Assouline releases ‘Akris’ by Valerie Steele, Chief Curator at The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} *2014 Akris celebrates 10 years at Paris Fashion Week. Albert Kriemler creates his Fall/Winter 2014-15 collection in collaboration with German artist Thomas Ruff. The Fall/Winter 2014-15 Punto collection - a collobaration with British artist David Wightman - was also released. *2014 Kunsthalle Düsseldorf initiates a defile of the collection within its Thomas Ruff exhibition. *2014 H.S.H. Charlene of Monaco chooses three of her dresses designed by Albert Kriemler to be included in the exhibition "Women Fashion Power" at the Design Museum London. *2015 Opening of a new boutique in River Oaks District,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.riveroaksdistrict.com/shops |title=River Oaks District Shops |access-date=2015-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425112001/http://riveroaksdistrict.com/shops |archive-date=2017-04-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> an upscale shopping and dining center in Houston, TX <ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2015/05/15/inside-the-river-oaks-district.html Biz Journals]</ref> *2015 The collaboration with choreographer John Neumeier continues as Albert Kriemler designs costumes for ''Josephs Legende'' and ''Verklungene Feste'' at Vienna State Opera. *2015 Akris enters the Chinese market and opens a Flagship Store on Times Square in Shanghai. *2015 For the first time, Albert Kriemler cooperates with an architect, Sou Fujimoto, from Tokyo, Japan for his Spring/Summer collection 2016 and partially rebuilds Fujimoto's "House N" in the Grand Palais in Paris. In 2013, Fujimoto was the youngest architect ever to create the Summer Pavilion for Serpentine Gallery, London, UK.<ref>A Meeting of Minds, [http://tankmagazine.com/issue-67/fronting/a-meeting-of-minds TANK Magazine], June 2016</ref> *2016 Wallpaper Magazine London bestows the "Design Award 2016 Best Alliance" to Albert Kriemler for the cooperation with Sou Fujomoto.<ref>Martin, J.J., [http://www.wallpaper.com/gallery/design/best-of-the-rest-design-awards-2016 Best Alliance] (February 2016 issue of Wallpaper)</ref> *2016 An Akris LED dress from Albert Kriemler's Thomas Ruff Collection featuring wearable technology is included in the permanent collection of Museum für Angewandte Kunst (MAK) in Vienna, Austria. *2016 Akris opens its first boutique in Italy, located at the corner of via della Spiga and via Gesù in Milan. *2016 Albert Kriemler is the recipient of the 2016 Couture Council at The Museum of FIT Award for Artistry of Fashion. Among previous recipients were Alber Elbaz, Dries van Noten, Valentino and Karl Lagerfeld.<ref>Iredale, Jessica, Akris’ Albert Kriemler to Be Honored by Couture Council, April 5, 2016, [http://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/akris-albert-kriemler-to-be-honored-by-couture-council-10403697/ Women's Wear Daily]</ref> *2016 The collaboration of Albert Kriemler with choreographer John Neumeier continues with costumes for the ballet "Turangalîla", based on Olivier Messiaen's famous symphony at Hamburg State Opera. The premiere is staged on July 3, 2016.<ref>Stefan Grund, [https://www.welt.de/kultur/buehne-konzert/article156797850/Es-gibt-sie-noch-die-gewonnenen-Finale.html Es gibt sie noch, die gewonnenen Finale] (July 4, 2016), Die Welt</ref> *2016 For the first time, Albert Kriemler stages his défilé at New York Fashion Week in Lever House, an International Style architectural landmark. His spring/summer 2017 collection is the fruit of a collaboration with New York artist Carmen Herrera whom he met for the first time on her 101st birthday.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/albert-kriemler-carmen-herrera-akris-ss17-852713|title=VIDEO: How Carmen Herrera Inspired the New Line for AKRIS {{!}} artnet News|date=2017-02-09|work=artnet News|access-date=2017-03-27|language=en-US}}</ref> *2017 Albert Kriemler collaborates with Canadian Artist Rodney Graham. For his “A Woman in a Coat and with a Bag” fall/winter 2017/18 collection, he is inspired with Graham's lightbox “Coat Puller” and his installation „Der Mantelanzieher“. The new venue for the défilé is Palais de Tokyo in Paris.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2017-ready-to-wear/akris|title=Akris Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show|last=Phelps|first=Nicole|work=Vogue|access-date=2017-03-27|language=en}}</ref> *2017 Akris unveils its new boutique at 45-46 boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, France, just in time for the 70th edition of the Annual Cannes Film Festival.

==Collections==

Akris is a collection of pieces, designed in lines, with fabrics, tailoring and colors. Albert Kriemler has gained a following by creating a fashion collection for career-oriented women around the world.<ref name="Dressing for Success">Tuma, Thomas (October 6, 2015). [https://global.handelsblatt.com/edition/278/article/dressing-for-success Dressing for Success], Handelsblatt {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818062531/https://global.handelsblatt.com/edition/278/article/dressing-for-success |date=2016-08-18 }}</ref> Artists and architects have inspired his designs or have collaborated directly with him.<ref name="martin"/>

In 1996, Akris introduced a new line called Akris Punto.<ref name=sochaswiss/> The Akris Punto collection has an emphasis on "relaxed sportswear". In 2009, Akris expanded its Prêt-a-Porter offering with the introduction of handbags featuring animal-friendly horsehair textile, a woven fabric made from the tail-hair.

In 1996, Akris was admitted to the French Chambre Syndicale, the governing body of the French fashion industry.<ref name=krienke/> The company delayed participating in Paris Fashion Week until 2004, when it was able to secure a spot on one of the event's most important days.<ref name=givhan/><ref name=krienke/> In the 2000s, the company was one of the world's fastest-growing designer brands,<ref name=sochaswiss/><ref name=walton/> selling at stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus,<ref name=givhan/> where Akris shares floor space with brands like Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Lanvin.<ref name=martin>Martin, J.J. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/albert-kriemler-expands-akriss-global-footprint-1447945526 Albert Kriemler Expands Akris's Global Footprint] (November 19, 2015)</ref> Akris's success is largely due to trunk shows and word of mouth;<ref name=givhan/> the company does very little advertising.<ref name=krienke/> Unlike other fashion houses, the company does not produce fragrances and does not license its name.<ref name=givhan/><ref name=krienke/> Akris have a reputation for working with artists. Two notable examples have been a collaboration with the German photographer Thomas Ruff and separately with the British painter David Wightman.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Holt|first1=Emily|title=Akris / Fall 2014 RTW|url=http://www.vogue.com/fashion-week/861778/akris-fall-2014/|website=vogue.com|accessdate=6 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106232125/http://www.vogue.com/fashion-week/861778/akris-fall-2014/|archive-date=6 November 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=David Wightman and Akris|url=http://www.davidwightman.net/akris.html|website=davidwightman.net|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref>

==Sales and stores==

Akris is the largest Swiss clothing producer, though it does not disclose sales or profit figures.<ref name=givhan/><ref name=krienke/> Its value has been reported as approximately US$500 million; the company has not disputed this figure,<ref name=givhan/> but the number may be an overestimate "judging from [Albert] Kriemler's response when that number is tossed out.<ref name=krienke/> The brand is sold in more than 300 locations worldwide.<ref name=martin/>

Approximately 40% of Akris sales are in North America.<ref name=sochanames>Socha, Miles. "Akris names Brown U.S. chief". ''Women's Wear Daily'' (November 13, 2006).</ref> Akris was first sold in the United States in 1988;<ref name=sochanames/> the brand can now be found in 70 U.S. stores, including over 20 Neiman Marcus locations and 30-some Saks Fifth Avenue locations,<ref name=krienke/> where Akris shares floor space with brands like Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Lanvin.<ref name=martin/> Freestanding Akris boutiques are located in Boston, New York City, Atlanta, Palm Beach, Bal Harbor, Chicago, Dallas and Houston.<ref name=krienke/> Akris Punto is sold in approximately 100 stores in the United States.<ref name=krienke/>

==Celebrities== Several female celebrities are known to have worn Akris designs, including Amal Clooney, HSH Charlene, Princess of Monaco, Tina Fey, Susan Sarandon, Doris Yaffe, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gaudoin |first=Tina |date=2011-11-11 |title=The Discreet Charm of Akris |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203804204577017591312207580.html |access-date=2022-11-27 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Diane Sawyer and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533554,00.html#ixzz1UGySV7R0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712081658/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533554,00.html#ixzz1UGySV7R0 | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 12, 2007 | title=Stealth Style | publisher=Time | date=September 11, 2006 | accessdate=24 July 2013 | author=Hume, Marion}}</ref><ref>Ellison, Jo, The alpha woman's label, [https://www.ft.com/content/ceb52a0a-0d39-11e6-ad80-67655613c2d6 Financial Times], (May 7, 2016)</ref><ref name="Dressing for Success"/>

==Garment production== The company's headquarters is located in St. Gallen, Switzerland with 200 employees.<ref name=krienke/> The design process begins with the fabric; Kriemler then sketches his designs.<ref name=johnson/><ref name=gillan/> Akris fabrics are often custom-produced; sometimes, development of a fabric may take years.<ref name=gillan/>{{clarify|date=January 2014}} Most of the fabrics used in Akris clothing are produced in specialized mills in northern Italy.<ref name=krienke/>

Akris clothing is generally produced in ateliers in St. Gallen, Zurich, and Ticino, Switzerland.<ref name=krienke/><ref name=gillan/> Kriemler has aimed to continue St. Gallen's textile-based history by hiring local artisans.<ref name=johnson/> About half of the company's manufacturing employees (around 280 employees) are highly skilled artisans;<ref name=krienke/> two years of training is required for a seamstress to master the hand-finishing of Akris's double-faced cashmere jackets, each of which requires two and a half days to complete.<ref name=givhan/><ref name=krienke/>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [https://www.akris.com/ Official site] * {{fashionlabel|id=akris|name=Akris}} * [https://www.instagram.com/akrisofficial Instagram]

Category:Clothing companies of Switzerland Category:High fashion brands Category:Clothing companies established in 1922 Category:Swiss companies established in 1922 Category:Fashion accessory brands