How to master timeless style for today

In an era when creative directors are often seemingly engaged in a never-ending game of musical chairs, a decades-serving designer is a truly rare breed. Albert Kriemler is one of them, having been at the helm of Akris for more than 30 years. Of course, he has an incentive to stick around; the Swiss luxury label is a family affair, founded in 1922 by his grandmother Alice Kriemler, before being taken over by his father. Albert took up the reins aged just 19, while his younger brother, Peter, is the fashion house’s President. “Some of my earliest memories are of my parents talking about the collections and the business over the family lunch table, and of me running around in the fabric room and the ateliers,” says Albert.

The pre-fall collection takes its cue from the modernist-meets-traditional air of Santa Fe and offers up everything that you could need to hinge your perfect travel and off-duty wardrobe around. There’s a relaxed and effortless feel to the pieces blended with the elevated polish that is the Akris signature. Put simply, these are wear-forever pieces that you’ll call upon again and again. There’s the long navy belted dress that will work as well with sandals and sunglasses as with a chunky-knit cardigan and knee-high boots; the cashmere pants that you’ll never want to get on an airplane without but that, paired with the sporty zip-up jacket, will make you feel thoughtfully put together; or the camel cropped pants and matching trench that combine comfort and ease with elegant sophistication. The label has your accessories covered courtesy of the versatile Ai shoulder bag which, as well as being sartorially irresistible, can be folded and adjusted depending on just how much you have to carry to see you through the day. “I create for a woman with a purpose and a sophisticated sense of aesthetics,” says Kriemler. “Someone who looks for both beauty and comfort.” Someone just like you.