When worldwide lockdowns put a halt to fashion shows in Paris and shifted the focus closer to home, designer Albert Kriemler translated St.Gallen’s cultural heritage to surprising effect in his Akris collections, for instance, when the roof of St.Laurenzen Church makes an appearance in St.Gallen embroidery or when modern patchwork dresses are made of reused embroidery from Akris’ archives. In particular, the exhibition highlights the collection “A woman on a walk” (fall/winter 2021), inspired by Robert Walser’s story “Der Spaziergang” (“The Walk”, 1917).

Exceptional craftsmanship and uncompromising avant-garde, clear lines and exquisite fabrics are seamlessly combined at Akris. This is epitomized especially in looks that testify to the close collaboration between the Swiss fashion house and the renowned St.Gallen textile cluster. How can LED embroidery generate the effect of star-studded skies? What processes are required to make embroidered fabric look like asphalt? Textile innovations and handcrafted know-how give an insight into these questions.