To mark its 100th anniversary, Akris has produced the documentary film AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage.
Directed by Reiner Holzemer, the film follows Akris Creative Director Albert Kriemler closely over a period of approximately two years, capturing the creative process behind his work on film for the first time.
For the first time in his 40-year career at the helm of this family-owned fashion house, Albert Kriemler has allowed cameras into his atelier.
Through previously unseen archival material, the film moves between past and present, exploring the history of Akris.
It traces the journey from founder Alice Kriemler-Schoch and her vision to build a business of her own, to her son Max and his wife Ute, who paved the way to Paris, and on to Albert Kriemler and his brother Peter.
They offer an intimate peek into how three generations of this Swiss family have woven their heritage into the independent house – one of the last in the industry with a clear sense of purpose.
Through insights into the refined craftsmanship, dedicated in-house processes, and the masters behind the scenes, Fashion With a Heritage immerses viewers in the inspired universe of Akris – a quiet powerhouse building its legacy with soul, sensuality, and craft.
“Telling the story of Akris was more than documenting a fashion house – it was tracing the soul of a family... This film is my attempt to honor not just what Akris creates, but what it stands for – grace, resilience, and the poetry of craftsmanship.”
– Reiner Holzemer, Director
“Watching this documentary, you realize there’s more to fashion than just an image... these are the things that have always been at the heart of Akris.”
– Albert Kriemler, Creative Director
Profile
About Reiner Holzemer
Since 1983, Reiner Holzemer has worked as a documentary filmmaker. His body of work focuses primarily on portraits of internationally renowned artists, particularly in the fields of photography and fashion. His films Dries, about fashion designer Dries Van Noten, and Martin Margiela: In His Own Words have been screened at numerous film festivals around the world and sold to over 64 countries.
In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter named Holzemer’s film about Martin Margiela the best fashion documentary of the decade.
In 2023, Lars Eidinger – To Be or Not To Be, Holzemer’s portrait of the exceptional actor Lars Eidinger, was awarded the Gilde Film Award for “Best Documentary.”
Reiner Holzemer is a member of the German Film Academy and the German Society for Photography (DGPh).
About Albert Kriemler
Albert Kriemler has led Akris as the Creative Director since 1980, making him one of the longest-serving designers in an industry renowned for its fast-paced creative turnover. With a focus on craft, tailoring, and the finest fabrics, his philosophy centers on creating refined, sleek pieces that not only accentuate a woman’s presence and individuality, but also embody a timeless modernity.
For his achievements he received the Swiss Design Award in 2008 and, in 2016, was honored with the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion by the Museum at FIT, New York, for his outstanding collaborations with artists and architects.