Celebrating 10 years of Ai

When I created the first Ai ten years ago, the idea was to fold a classic tote into a trapezoidal silhouette derived from the A in Akris and Albert and, by doing this, defining the trapezoid as the signature and key visual of Akris.

With the Ai as a leitmotif, I created layered, airy looks and details for a simple, Aifolded
collection, in a vast white space full of bright and enveloping natural light.

Colors are everything to me. In this collection, they are inspired by Italian artist Antonio Calderara. His opalizing, luminous and shimmering pastels are mesmerizing.


I translated his geometric abstract paintings into tonal shapes with a focus on silver. It stands for high energy that only sunlight on water can trigger.


Calderara tirelessly captured these moments at Lake Orta in Piemonte, where he lived. This spectacular light is reflected in iridescent paillettes and scintillating fabrics, conjuring the subdued allure that is Akris.

Albert Kriemler

Paris, September 29, 2019

Antonio Calderara, Italian Artist (1903-1978)

© Fondazione Antonio E Carmela Calderara; Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

Antonio Calderara, Figura di donna in guanti gialli, 1951

This portrait from his figurative period shows a sophisticated,
elegant woman wearing a dark suit and a pastel yellow hat
and gloves.

Antonio Calderara, Pittura, 1960

From the late 1950s on, Antonio Calderara’s
now abstract-geometric paintings explored
the light and colors of Lake Orta in Piemonte.


© Fondazione Antonio E Carmela Calderara; Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

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