Valerie Steele’s new designer bible, Akris, follows the Swiss fashion house from the day of its inception in 1922 to present. Steele, director and chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, seamlessly bounces between the design points that Akris is known for. Architectural elegance, embroidery, rich fabrics, and high-tech graphics are just a few of the buzzwords that surround Akris’ storied history in fashion.

The fashion house was founded by Alice Kriemler-Schoch and has since been passed down through generations of Kriemlers. Alice’s grandson, Albert Kriemler, is now at the helm and has made tremendous contributions to both design and fashion. Known for its sleek simplicity, Akris represents true understated luxury. Among the beautiful design sketches and runway photographs, the pages of Steele’s Akris provides nonstop inspiring imagery. Extreme close-ups of design features – a buckle on a purse, the pleating on a bodice – showcase the expert craftwork put into these luxe goods.

Steele expertly shows Akris’ design sensibility, striking a balance between clean simple elegance and modern eccentricity, which is a look that is truly effortless. As Kriemler says, “I’m always searching for effortlessness. That makes my clothes modern.”

Published by Assouline 

Text by Ashley Brewster