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Koos Van Den AkkerAmerican fashion designer
Date of Birth: 16.03.1939
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Koos Van den Akker
Early Life and EducationKoos Van den Akker is an American fashion designer of Dutch origin, known for his unconventional 'collage' dresses and his signature 'Bill Cosby-style' sweaters. He was born in The Hague, Netherlands and learned to sew on his own. His first sewing machine was a simple one, and his first creation was a dress made out of a white bedsheet for his sister. By the age of 15, Van den Akker had an impressive portfolio, and he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Art three years earlier than scheduled. At the academy, he studied fashion and created displays for major stores until the age of 18.
Career
After completing his studies, Van den Akker spent two years in the Dutch army, where his sewing skills were in demand. In the basement workshop, he sewed dresses for officers' wives and daughters. After his military service, Van den Akker traveled to Paris. He initially worked in the display business but realized that he lacked formal education in fashion. He continued his studies at the l'Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode, which was located in the same building as Christian Dior's workshops. Legendary designer Christian Dior often hired the most talented students from the school, including Van den Akker, who was invited to work at the House of Dior in 1963. He spent three years working for Christian Dior, learning the necessary skills before returning to the Netherlands to start his own business.
Success and Expansion
Van den Akker worked tirelessly on his business, even sleeping in a small room behind his store. His vibrant, American-style window displays caught the attention of passersby. However, it soon became clear that the Netherlands was not yet ready for his creativity. In 1968, Van den Akker's father passed away, and he decided to pursue opportunities in the United States. Starting from scratch with only $180 in his pocket and a portable sewing machine, Van den Akker built a network of stores. He established offices on Madison Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Thomson Street in Soho, and even in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. His talent attracted celebrities such as Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, Diahann Carroll, and Barbara Walters. After the success of his 'Bill Cosby Sweaters' project, his clientele expanded to include Stevie Wonder, Chita Rivera, Brooke Shields, Isabella Rossellini, Glenn Close, and Lauren Sutton.
Fame and Current Endeavors
Van den Akker's collaboration with Bill Cosby and his unique sweaters catapulted him to fame. After Cosby's endorsement, celebrities like Erik Estrada, Richard Simmons, and Chuck Norris also sought out his sweaters. The creation of these sweaters happened by chance when a famous singer from the 80s, Josephine Premice, asked Van den Akker to make a sweater for Cosby. Cosby loved the unexpected gift and immediately wore it throughout the entire filming process. Today, Van den Akker's flagship store is located on Madison Avenue in New York City, and his other establishments continue to operate actively.
