3_Akris

SS09 AKRIS

WHO Albert & Peter Kriemler, brothers who are the third generation of their family to run the company started in 1922.

WHERE In St Gallen (Switzerland), small town located in the foothills of the Alps. Heart of the Swiss embroidery industry.

PHILOSOPHY Peter: "20 years ago we decided control would be one of the most important parts of our strategy: controlling our shipments, our production, our research, our deliveries. (...) it allows Albert to create what he wants."
Albert: "You cannot push things. They have to happen naturally." and "they are too many rules in our business; you need to have the courage to go your own way, even if it is slower."

FACTS
1922 Alice Kriemler-Schoch starts the company, making aprons
1945 Alice's son max takes over and makes it a fashion business
1988 Albert joins his father to manage the business
1989 Launch of the first AKRIS collection
1995 Launch of the second line AKRIS PUNTO, a more sportswear-oriented collection
1999 Akris becomes a member of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-porter des Couturiers & Créateurs de Mode

Sources: Akris/ Media/ The Financial Times/ How to spend it/ Sept.20, 2008 "Swiss house on a roll" by Vanessa Friedman

2_India Mahdavi

... various works by the rather talented architect and interior designer India Mahdavi, currently based in Paris but whose work can be found worldwide in London, NYC, Mexico City and even in the Egyptian desert.