Note from the editor:

«Selbstverständlich» is the German expression which, in the mind of Albert Kriemler, best encapsulates the aesthetic ideal that he wishes to accomplish with his fashion designs. For the creative director at Akris, the embodiment of natural modernity is «selbstverständlich» – evident in the wearer and the use and functionality of the clothes.

Taking the collections as waymarks, Akris – A Century in Fashion encompasses the house’s hundred-year history: its humble beginnings as an apron atelier, its ascent into the world of high fashion and its rootedness in St. Gallen, center of a once booming Swiss textile industry. Contributions from different authors, among them fashion writer Jessica Iredale, explore the history, uniqueness and forward-looking nature of the house. Photo essays by Iwan Baan illustrate its hometown and inside world. Choreographer John Neumeier and artist Thomas Ruff discuss their creative collaborations with the designer.