1960s Malcolm Starr Deco Floral Maxi Dress in Green & Yellow MRS Couture

Beautiful intricately printed dress by Youssef Rizkallah for Malcolm Starr. The dress is maxi length, with an A – Line silhouette, long bishop sleeves with a wide cuff, a fitted bodice, and a wide jewel neckline. The dress is brilliant and colorful, with bright shades of green, yellow, orange, and purple offset with cream. The dress features a spectacular Art – Deco – meets – Middle – East pattern with swirling geometric forms offset by conspicuous florals including lotus designs. Truly fabulous.

Not much is known about Youssef Rizkallah’s childhood. He was born in Cairo in the 1920s and went to study at the École des Arts Decoratifs in Paris when he was 19. While in Paris, Rizkallah apprenticed under Jacques Griffe and Pierre Balmain. Rizkallah returned to Cairo and became wildly successful providing couture fashion to the Queen of Jordan and the wives of arab diplomats. In the 1950s he moved to Los Angeles on the behest of fellow designer Jean Louis. Rizkallah soon found himself collaborating with stateside designers including Luis Esteves and Malcolm Starr. Rizhallah then went on to create a womenswear line in 1975.

Rizhallah’s work was defined by brilliant colors, textures, and forms that played against each other to create elegant designs