The renowned Swiss fashion house Akris marks a milestone with its latest exhibition, “Akris: St.Gallen, selbstverständlich,” hosted by the Textile Museum St.Gallen from October 6, 2023, to March 10, 2024. Celebrating a 100-year legacy, Akris, a gem from the city of embroidery, is the only Swiss member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.
EXHIBITIONS
This exhibit is a testament to the enduring bond between the brand and its origin city, showcasing how the locale’s heritage has become synonymous with Akris’s design DNA.
Embroidering Identity: The St.Gallen Collections
When global lockdowns paused the usual Parisian runway shows, Akris’s head designer Albert Kriemler looked inward, drawing inspiration from St.Gallen’s rich cultural legacy. The result was collections that subtly weave local motifs, such as the St.Laurenzen Church’s architecture, into contemporary fashion. The exhibition shines a spotlight on the “A woman on a walk” collection from Fall/Winter 2021, drawing from Robert Walser’s narrative to integrate literary musings into the fabric of the garments.
The Art of Walking: An Embroidery Journey
The scenography of “Akris: St.Gallen, selbstverständlich” is an homage to the contemplative act of walking, a theme deeply embedded in Kriemler’s creative process, reflecting influences from nature, architecture, and art. Visitors can expect a parade of intricate embroidery, from featherlight guipure parkas with honeycomb patterns to light tulle embroidered with amulets, reminiscent of Giorgio Morandi’s subdued artistry.
Innovation Stitched with Tradition
Akris continues to push the boundaries of textile engineering and design, forging a path where tradition meets avant-garde. The exhibition explores the collaboration between Akris and the St.Gallen textile industry, exploring how cutting-edge techniques like LED embroidery are redefining fashion’s visual landscape, creating patterns and textures that challenge our perceptions of fabric and form.
Archives: A Well of Inspiration
For the first time, the public will have access to Akris’s extensive embroidery archives, dating back to the 1940s. These archives not only celebrate the past but also act as a springboard for future innovation. They embody the collective memory of the brand’s textile journey and illustrate the evolution of St.Gallen embroidery into a cornerstone of Akris’s refined aesthetic.
The “Akris: St.Gallen, selbstverständlich” exhibition is more than a display; it is a narrative, unfolding the symbiotic relationship between a brand and its birthplace. It invites us to explore how local tradition can inform global fashion trends, turning heritage into a playground for innovation.
