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AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage Documentary film
To commemorate its 100th anniversary, Akris will host the world premiere of its documentary film, *AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage*, in New York on June 9, 2025. A screening is also scheduled for June 16 at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. Furthermore, the film has been officially nominated in the feature-length category for the "2025 Tribeca X Award" competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, which marks its 24th edition this year.
This documentary by filmmaker Reiner Holzemer follows Albert Kriemler, the creative director of Akris, over the course of approximately two years, capturing the behind-the-scenes reality of his creative process for the first time on film. Throughout his 40-year career, this marks the first time that Albert Kriemler—who has long led the fashion house, which has remained family-owned since its inception—has welcomed cameras into his own atelier.
This work explores the intersection of Akris’s past and present through rare, previously unreleased archival materials. It traces the brand’s journey—from founder Alice Kriemler-Schoch’s ambition to build her own business, through the efforts of her son Max and his wife Ute, who paved the way for the brand’s expansion into Paris, to the leadership of the present day. Having maintained its independence for three generations and built upon a clear, foundational philosophy, Akris stands as a rare entity in today’s fashion industry. This narrative unfolds the brand’s history and the trajectory of its legacy from an intimate perspective.
Director Holtzemer provides an intimate look at the preparations for and celebrations surrounding the 100th anniversary of Akris. The film follows brothers Albert Kriemler—the creative force behind the brand—and Peter Kriemler, its CEO and President, as they navigate the lead-up to a fashion show in Paris, a visit to New York, and the opening of a museum exhibition in Zurich. Furthermore, the documentary captures a wealth of rare, behind-the-scenes moments—from the sourcing of fabrics and a fitting session with HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco to a dialogue with architect David Chipperfield—that are seldom seen by the public.
An exploration of Albert Kriemler’s work—which draws its creative impetus from an ongoing dialogue with art and architecture—highlights his exchanges with artists and architects such as Imi Knoebel, Anton Corbijn, Thomas Ruff, and Sou Fujimoto, as well as his long-standing collaboration with ballet director John Neumeier.
Through its focus on exceptional craftsmanship, the meticulous work of dedicated atelier teams, and the artisans who operate behind the scenes, the documentary *Fashion With a Heritage* invites viewers into the serene yet powerful world that Akris has cultivated over the years—a world woven from soul, sensuality, and technical mastery.
"Telling the story of Akris was more than just documenting a fashion house; it was a journey into the soul of a family. In every photograph preserved in the archives, every carefully selected piece of fabric, and every conversation with Albert and Peter, I felt the weight of a century defined by courage, creativity, and a quiet elegance. This project became a timeless voyage—one where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand—much like the very people who have built this extraordinary legacy. This film is my personal tribute, not only to the creations of Akris, but to the values that lie at their core: refinement, inner strength, and the poetic spirit inherent in true craftsmanship."
— Director Reiner Holzemer: "By watching this documentary, you will come to realize that fashion is far more than just an image. A dedication to materials, garments crafted with the intention of being cherished for a long time, and—above all—family and the remarkable people who pour their passion into their work: all of these have always been at the very core of Akris."
— Albert Kriemler / Creative Director, AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage Runtime: 90 minutes
Featuring: Alice Kriemler-Schoch (Founder of Akris), Ute Kriemler, Max Kriemler (second-generation leader of Akris), Albert Kriemler (Creative Director/Owner of Akris), and Peter Kriemler (CEO/President/Owner of Akris)
Nikōru ferupusu (vu~ōgu ran'u~ei oyobi vu~ōgu bijinesu gurōbaru direkutā), vu~arerī sutīru (fasshon kōka daigaku bijutsukan kanchō/ chīfukyurētā), Rinda fāgo (bāgudorufu Guddoman shinia vu~aisu purejidento/ u~imenzufasshon& tenpo purezentēshon bumon direkutā), mairuzu sōsha (WWD intānashonaru editā), jō erisonNicole Phelps (Global Director, Vogue Runway and Vogue Business), Valerie Steele (Director and Chief Curator, The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology), Linda Fargo (Senior Vice President, Women’s Fashion and Store Presentation, Bergdorf Goodman), Miles Socha (International Editor, WWD), Jo Ellison (Deputy Editor of FT Weekend / Editor of HTSI [Financial Times]), Meredith Koop (stylist, fashion advisor to Michelle Obama), Pascal Morand (Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode), Joseph M. Boitano (former Executive Vice President of Bergdorf Goodman / Group Senior Vice President of Saks Fifth Avenue), Christiane Arp (former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Germany), Glenda Bailey (former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar US), Ueli Forster and Tobias Forster (Forster Rohner AG, St. Gallen), HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, David Chipperfield (architect), John Neumeier (ballet director/choreographer), Sou Fujimoto (architect), Thomas Ruff (artist), and Reinhard Voigt (artist)
Filming Locations: This project was filmed between October 2022 and January 2025 in the following cities: Paris (France); New York and Washington, D.C. (USA); Tokyo (Japan); Milan and Como (Italy); St. Gallen, Mendrisio, and Zurich (Switzerland); and Obertshausen (Germany).
About Reiner Holzemer | Director Reiner Holzemer has been producing documentary films since 1983. He is widely recognized for his work focusing on the lives and careers of world-renowned artists in the fields of photography and fashion. His notable films include *Dries*, which follows fashion designer Dries Van Noten, and *Martin Margiela: In His Own Words*, a portrait of Martin Margiela; both films have been screened at festivals around the globe and distributed in over 64 countries. In 2020, *Martin Margiela* was hailed by *The Hollywood Reporter* as "the best fashion documentary of the last decade," and in 2023, his film *Lars Eidinger – To Be or Not To Be*—an intimate look at actor Lars Eidinger—won the Best Documentary award at the German Gilde Film Awards. Holzemer is a member of both the German Film Academy and the German Photographic Association (DGPh).
About Albert Kriemler | Creative Director of Akris. Serving as the Creative Director of Akris since 1980, Albert Kriemler is one of the longest-standing designers at the forefront of the rapidly evolving fashion industry. With a steadfast commitment to craftsmanship, tailoring, and the finest materials, he continues to pursue the creation of sophisticated, timeless, and modern styles that accentuate a woman’s presence and individuality.
These achievements have garnered high international acclaim; in 2008, the recipient was honored with a Swiss Design Award. Furthermore, in 2016, in recognition of their exceptional collaborations with artists and architects, they were presented with the "Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion" by The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.
