1980s Koos Van Den Akker Couture 4-Piece Gold Corset and Skirt Ensemble

1980s Koos Van den Akker couture four-piece ensemble comprised of a skirt, corset top, a large scarf and a belt. This is a beautiful and highly 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 burnished gold pleated metallic fabric, the high-waisted skirt is sculptural and has a cocooning shape which encircles the body, stopping at the mid-calf. The skirt is lined with a black satin petticoat. It fastens at the back of the waist with a hidden black zip and hook-and-eye. There is a coordinating gold sash belt which can be wrapped around the waist to cinch it. The strapless bustier top is crafted from a patchwork of brown, bronze and gold fabrics in an assortment of prints including polka-dot, floral and striped. The rear features the same gold fabric as the skirt, this time elasticated and ruched for a comfortable wear. The top is lined in matte brown silk. The ensemble also comes with a taupe jersey scarf. This is detailed on each end with a patchwork of fabrics, in a similar manner to the top with additional cut-outs, appliqué lace and tiny strips of plastic. It reminds me of mixed media art.

This is a rare, couture commissioned ensemble and all four pieces are in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note - they look barely worn. There are no size or composition labels, so please check our measurements below as the fabric has no stretch. I think it will work on sizes UK 6-8-10 or US 2-4-6 with a smaller waist and all pieces can be mixed and matched separately.

MEASUREMENTS TOP

BUST - 33 in. (84 cm)

WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)

LENGTH - 10 in. (25 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SKIRT

WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP - 46 in. (117 cm)

LENGTH - 33 in. (84 cm)

MEASUREMENTS BELT

LENGTH - 77 in. (196 cm)

WIDTH - 8 in. (20 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SCARF

LENGTH - 82 in. (208 cm)

WIDTH - 22 in. (56 cm)