Akris Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Show

As Akris concluded its year-long 100th anniversary celebrations, the brand continued to impress with its Spring Summer 2024 fashion show, reaffirming its status as a fashion powerhouse and a master of precision and elegance.

The Museum für Gestaltung Zurich's tentpole exhibition, dedicated to the St. Gallen-based fashion brand, attracted an astounding 27,000 visitors—a new record that speaks to the enduring appeal of Akris. The exhibition focused on the creative journey of Albert Kriemler, particularly highlighting the past 15 years marked by artistic collaborations and technical brilliance.

Kriemler's innate ability to foresee trends was on full display. He showcased Reinhard Voigt's pixelized oil paintings from the '60s and '70s in his Fall 2022 collection long before the motif gained prominence in the collections of Loewe and Louis Vuitton. When asked about his inspiration, Kriemler humbly attributed it to pure feeling.

For the Spring Summer 2024 collection, Kriemler drew inspiration from the late textile, wallpaper, and craft designer Felice "Lizzi" Rix-Ueno. He had encountered an exhibition dedicated to her work at the MAK Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna. Rix-Ueno, a key figure in the Wiener Werkstätte movement, left a legacy known for its vibrant and charming designs, which found their way into the Akris collection through poppy, fruit, bird, and tassel motifs.

Kriemler was also influenced by Rix-Ueno's belief that craft could nurture one's imagination. This philosophy was evident in Kriemler's meticulous approach to fabric selection. He utilized materials like stiff organza for weightless tailoring, high-twist linen for wrinkle-resistant shirt jackets that mimicked the appearance of faded denim, and luxurious cotton voile for draped shirts.

The collection embraced the utility chic trend and incorporated floral motifs seen on Paris runways, all executed in the signature Akris style—restrained and refined. The show was a polished and lively affair, complemented by live music and a backdrop of fabric flowers. Fantasy manifested in the form of red cotton guipure that resembled pressed poppies and minimalist evening ensembles adorned with long, glistening fringe.

Akris confidently embarks on its second century, showcasing its unwavering commitment to precision, elegance, and innovation. This Spring Summer 2024 collection is a testament to the brand's enduring influence and its continued ability to captivate fashion enthusiasts with its timeless and sophisticated creations.