Akris makes its cinematic debut with AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage, a new documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Reiner Holzemer. The film will debut on June 9 in New York, followed by a screening at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 16. Notably, it has also been named an Official Selection in the Features Category of the 2025 Tribeca X Award Competition, marking a major moment for the independent Swiss brand.
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Directed over the course of two years, the documentary follows Creative Director Albert Kriemler as he opens the doors of the Akris atelier for the first time in his four decades of leadership. Through personal archives and present-day moments, the film explores the evolution of Akris across generations, from its origins with Alice Kriemler-Schoch, through Max and Ute, to the leadership of Albert and Peter Kriemler.
Holzemer follows the Kriemlers through their centennial celebrations, from show production in Paris and exhibition planning in Zurich, to a visit in New York. Highlights include intimate, rarely seen moments such as fittings with H.S.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco and fabric selection sessions, capturing how deliberate choices inform the subtle structure of the house’s design language.
As the film reveals, Albert Kriemler’s work extends into a sustained dialogue with artists and architects. The documentary includes scenes with collaborators like Sir David Chipperfield and John Neumeier, and glimpses into his creative relationships with figures such as Imi Knoebel, Thomas Ruff, Anton Corbijn, and Sou Fujimoto. These exchanges show how Akris’s collections are shaped as much by structure and form as by movement and visual expression.
Holzemer’s approach is personal, reflective, and rooted in respect for Akris’s unique position in the fashion industry, one of the last remaining houses that remains fully family-run and resolutely independent. “Through every archive photo, every fabric, and every conversation with Albert and Peter, I felt the weight of a century filled with courage, creativity, and quiet elegance,” he explains. His film, he says, aims to honor not only what Akris produces, but what it represents.
For Albert Kriemler, stepping in front of the camera offered an opportunity to reflect on and articulate the principles that have guided Akris for decades. “Watching this documentary, you realize there’s more to fashion than just an image,” he says. “An obsession with fabrics, pieces made to last – and above all, family and incredible, passionate people – these are the things that have always been at the heart of Akris.”
The documentary traces a century of design from a brand that has left a lasting impression on elegance through consistency. Alongside its focus on refined craftsmanship, it explores the relationships and artistic conversations that continue to shape the house’s singular voice. With screenings scheduled this June in New York and Monte-Carlo, the film offers a timely perspective on how Akris has maintained its identity through generational continuity, creative discipline, and a quiet resistance to fashion’s more transient rhythms.
