1970s Koos Van den Akker Floral Print Smocked Dress
1970s Koos Van den Akker floral smock dress. This is a pretty and detailed design from the famous Dutch designer after he moved to NYC in 1968 from The Hague, Netherlands. He was renowned for his textile work and came to the attention of the House of Dior where he was selected for a three year apprenticeship in 1963. This early exposure to Haute Couture and fabric selection influenced all of his work for the rest of his career and he was particularly adept at mixing and matching prints. Koos, passed away in 2015 after a successful 50 year career. His celebrity clients were fashion icons including Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Lauren Hutton, Brooke Shields, Isabella Rossellini and Glenn Close to name but a few.
Crafted from a stunning floral man-made chiffon, the fabric sets vibrant fuchsia, yellow and pale blue flowers and rich green foliage against an inky black background. The dress is sheer which softens the drama of the print and lends a romantic, whimsical feel to it. The silhouette is so of the era; frothy bell-sleeves and a floaty mid-length skirt are cinched in by intricate, elasticated smocking across the waistband and cuffs. The open neck and tie collar add a laid-back feel and recalls the neckline on tunics and kaftans - also so popular during this time. This dress is put on by pulling over the head. It is unlined.
In excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note. Because of its billowing tailoring, this dress could fit up to a size UK 14, US 10 and is fairly true to size in our opinion.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 44 in. (112 cm)
WAIST - 36 in. (91 cm)
HIP - 50 in. (127 cm)
LENGTH - 45 in. (114 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range at the showroom?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
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Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I have my circa garment altered?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
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We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
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Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.