Care
It All Begins With The Fabric
“The creation process begins when I take a piece of fabric in my hand. When I touch it, it tells me about what I can or cannot do. Then I start to draw,” says Albert Kriemler. “It all begins with the fabric.”
So how can you make sure to treat each different type of Akris fabric in the best possible way?
Always follow the recommended care instructions on the label. Never use a cleaning product or stain remover to remove a stain. Instead, bring your piece to a professional cleaning service as soon as possible. Once the stain is removed, take the plastic cover off and allow your piece to air out before putting it away.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, artificial light and humidity. Do not allow pieces with contrasting colors and different materials (e.g., fabric and leather) to come into direct contact with each other.
Horsehair Fabric
The Akris accessories will become softer and supple with use. As with all colorings of natural products, lighter and pastel colors are more sensitive than darker shades. If small hairs protrude from the fabric, they can simply be removed with an electric razor by gently gliding the razor over the affected surface in a circular motion. The leather sections must not be touched in the process. We recommend that you have this treatment carried out by our trained employees in the Akris boutiques as needed.
Raffia fabric
Raffia fabric is inspired by the straw-like natural fibers originating from palm trees. The material is a combination of cotton and technical nylon and is characterized by its even and delicate weaving structure. We recommend avoiding contact with any rough surfaces or sharp objects to prevent extracting threads. A soft, white, cotton cloth, moistened slightly with lukewarm water can be used to remove superficial dirt from the surface. In order not to damage the material, we recommend wiping gently in the direction of the weave and applying low pressure without rubbing. We recommend not to use any other substances for cleaning. Allow the textile to air dry thoroughly a minimum of 12 hours before the next wearing.
Printed Fabric
Akris signature prints are created with screen printing techniques using specific printing colors on pretreated fabric. To protect the printed fabric, we recommend the same care treatments as for techno fabric.
Techno Fabric
Our technical material is produced with a 3D embossing technique. A three-dimensional design is pressed into shape with custom-built embossing plates using pressure and heat. The product is finished with a water-resistant coating. If needed, a brush can be used to remove staining. We recommend not to use any liquids or other substances for cleaning.
Satin Fabric
Satin fabrics are characterized by a smooth surface and a significant luxurious sheen, with silk satin being the highest quality. If needed, a very soft brush can be used to remove staining. We recommend not to use any liquids or other substances for cleaning.
Canvas Fabric
This material is woven in a classical sailcloth structure. The yarns generate a velvety surface which is finished with a water-resistant coating. To protect the canvas fabric we recommend the same care treatments as for techno fabric.
Plexi Foil
As a high fashion material, this technical foil is part of the accessories collection. It is soft and flexible and has a shiny transparent look. The material should be protected against heat and scratching surfaces, dirt, and moisture can be wiped off with a soft cloth.
Calfskin
The calfskin leathers need to be protected from wetness and moisture. If rain droplets are not wiped off quickly, spots may form on the surface that cannot be removed. To protect the leather against moisture, it should be regularly treated professionally for weather resistance. This is best left to the Akris boutiques or a specialist in leather care and should not be attempted otherwise. Unsuitable substances and techniques may damage the material.
Printed Calfskin
With its natural finish, the delicate calfskin is refined in a silk-screen printing process. Its design is applied with specifically suitable colors directly onto the calfskin and sealed with a transparent protective lacquer. To protect the printed leather, we recommend the same treatment methods as for the unicolored calfskin. To remove superficial impureness a soft brush can be used.
Nubuck
Nubuck is defined as leather that has been buffed on the grain or outer side. This treatment gives the smooth outer side a velvety appearance and its sought-after dry grip.
A protective lacquer is applied during the production process; nevertheless, a buffing residue still attached to the leather can come off, if it is subjected to strain in combination with high humidity, body sweat, or other liquids, thus leaving traces of color on the hands or clothing. These color traces are not the result of defective material or faulty production methods, but rather a natural property of the surface-treated leather. We recommend the same protective treatment methods for Nubuck leather as for calfskin. A soft brush can be used to remove superficial dirt from the surface.
Lamé Leather
The precious material is created through a surface refinement of nubuck leather. A polished foil is therefore partially applied onto the finishing, creating the characteristic shimmering look of lamé.
Crocodile Leather
This distinguished, exotic leather has limited availability. All crocodile leather used in the Akris line is pre-treated with finishing or with wax. With continuous use, products made of high-gloss crocodile leather take on a beautiful, silky patina.
The material must be protected from moisture and dampness. If drops of water are not immediately wiped off, the material can develop small bubbles or dull spots. We advise against using any liquids or other substances.
Lizard
This precious leather gets accentuated with an agate stone. Due to this technique, its unique glossy sheen is obtained. The material must be protected from moisture and dampness. If drops of water are not immediately wiped off, the material can develop small bubbles or dull spots. We advise against using any liquids or other substances for cleaning or treating the material. If needed, lizard leather can be gently polished using a soft, dry cotton cloth without applying pressure.
Python
Python leather is a sought-after material for handbags. The skins used for Akris bags are treated with a finish that softens the surface. This ensures the scales remain flat and smooth. With continuous use, the products take on a beautiful, silky patina. We recommend the same protective treatment methods for python as for crocodile leather.
Python Nubuck Leather
The surface of python leather can be treated like calfskin leather to receive a smooth and velvety nubuck finish. The characteristic scales remain soft and visible. For python nubuck leather we recommend the same care treatments as for nubuck leather.
Ostrich Leather
This South African leather is refined with a “diamond finish”: The two-tone effect is derived from polishing the material with rotating horsehair brushes, which lend a silky sheen to the skin while producing a darker color on the knobs. This leather is characterized by its remarkable stability. Frequent use enhances its silky sheen. We recommend the same protective treatment methods for ostrich leather as for calfskin. Some small stains can be removed with a very soft eraser.
Hammered Leather
The high-quality and reflective leather is created in an elaborate finishing process based on calfskin leather. The metallic surface is embossed to resemble a hammered steel surface. To protect the leather and uphold the reflective effect it should be polished regularly. For any treatment, the leather is best handed to an expert at an Akris boutique or retailer.
Metal Components
Every single metal component is handmade by Italian craftsmen. The raw form from brass is handcrafted in parts and cast by hand. Much like the mechanical construction of clocks, the craftsmen work to join fine pieces from individual components. Thus, any repairs necessary should be done by the original craftsmen which can be arranged through Akris boutiques and Akris points of distribution.
Repair
In-Store Repair
Most of our boutiques can respond to numerous repair and refurbishment requests for Akris products. We invite you to contact your nearest Akris boutique to have your object examined by one of our sales consultants. They will then provide an estimate and waiting period for the planned repair.
Ship Your Repair
If you are unable to take your item to an Akris store, please contact Customer Service by telephone or email via the “Contact us” page. Our specialized advisors will be glad to provide you with all the necessary information for sending your item to Akris for repair.
For the request, please provide: An original receipt or proof of purchase, A photo of the garment or accessory, A photo of the damaged area and The 6-digit garment code located at the bottom of the care tag.