Design for Movement 

For over 20 years, choreographer John Neumeier and designer Albert Kriemler have collaborated closely — guided by a shared dedication to movement, clarity, and innovation. Kriemler’s designs for Akris, known for their architectural precision, effortless functionality, and deep understanding of the body in motion, reflect a belief that clothing must serve the people who wear it — especially when those people are dancers performing highly demanding, physical movements. 

Beyond Technique 

Yet Albert Kriemler’s interest in ballet goes beyond choreography and movement. He is drawn to the emotional depth behind each performance — the inner motivations of the dancers and the ways they express themselves through images, gestures, and atmosphere. His creative approach aligns closely with John Neumeier’s vision:  

“I believe this is also what connects John and me: his desire to perceive not merely dancers on stage, but individuals who happen to be dancing, and my aspiration to see them in real clothes rather than costumes,” says Albert Kriemler. “There is more to dancing beyond mere technique and classical discipline.” 

A Lasting Vision 

Since their first collaboration in 2005, for the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert, Neumeier and Kriemler have continued to work together on a series of notable productions. These include Verklungene Feste and Josephs Legende (2008), Turangalîla (2015), and Anna Karenina (2017), for which Kriemler designed an exclusive wardrobe as part of a co-production involving the Hamburg Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Most recently, they partnered on the Beethoven Project II (2021) and Epilogue (2024) in Hamburg, as well as the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert 2026.