Intro

Swiss fashion design is largely unknown at international level. It may well harbour some potential but as yet, it mostly occupies a niche on the regional (or occasionally national) market.

Akris is one of the few exceptions. This label originates from St. Gallen and for the last 70 years, it has manufactured strikingly elegant clothes – creations that can also be seen at Paris fashion shows or in Vogue, and are bought by celebrities all over the world. Abert Kriemler, a member of the third generation of his family to manage the fashion house, is responsible for this success. Since his breakthrough in the 1980s, Kriemler has opened shops in many of the world's major fashion centres such as Paris, Vienna and Tokyo.

Swiss fashion designers of international renown

Among Switzerland's fashion designers who operate on an international scale is Dorothée Vogel, whose label bears her own name. She previously made the Annex label famous at the Fashion Weeks in New York. Her collections are not tied to any particular trends or eras, and they create a chic and nonchalant impression. Vogel's trademarks include printed fabrics which she designs herself or in collaboration with renowned artists.

Ida Gut also numbers among this country's well-reputed fashion designers, and she is regarded as a mistress of the couturier's art. Her work focuses on creations that are functional and suitable for everyday use. The designs are simple and the colours are discreet. Ida Gut's creations appeal to modern, independent and dynamic women who enjoy life. Her collections are produced in Switzerland, as are those of the LBD Little Black Dress fashion label. This Zurich fashion house has devoted itself entirely to clothing for women. Its two designers, Eliane Diethelm and Joanna Skoczylas, are constantly re-interpreting the Little Black Dress. Their work combines a passion for beautiful clothes with fine materials and flattering lines.

Elegant fashion

The klein basel and Claudia Güdel labels are well known in Basel. They feature unconventional but elegant fashion with beautiful details. Christa de Carouge is another Basel designer who has long been known for her amply dimensioned flowing robes, mainly in black. This "Dame en noir" understands the dress as a timeless envelope within which the "woman" lives. Christa de Carouge announced that she was leaving the fashion world in 2013.

Young talents

Up-and-coming talents on the young scene include Kazu Huggler, Julian Zigerli, PortenierRoth and Laend Phuengkit.

Fashion fairs

Anyone who wants to experience the world of Swiss fashion (and especially the work of the country's up-and-coming talents) at first hand would do well to attend the wide range of fashion and design fairs. Examples include Mode Suisse, a fashion fair that is staged twice every year in Zurich and Geneva; the Blickfang, an annual fashion and design fair in Zurich's Kongresshaus; the Lucerne design days known as Design schenken; or the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days in Zurich.