This fabulous dress would have been designed while Youssef Rizkallah headed the company. Youseef joined the Malcolm Starr label in 1969 and remained as the head designer until 1975. The years that Youssef headed the line are among some of my favorites. He had this ability to make things glamorous in the most unexpected way. Rizkallah was born in Egypt and studied at the Ecole de dessin appliqué and the Ecole des arts decoratifs in Paris. His designs seem to combine that sense of couture lines that he gained in Paris with the color and vividness of his homeland. I particularly love his more glitzy pieces and this one is a stellar example of that. 

The colour combination done on the silk chiffon of this dress is amazing. I lo e the coral red and the blue together. The silk also has gold metallic thread that is woven through the silk to created little golden dots. If that was not enough there is also hundreds of tiny gold sequins added. They add a subtle bit of shine that picks up the light in the prettiest of ways. All of those gold sequins have been hand applied onto the silk. They are set to follow the curving parts of the design and form large medallions over the skirt for a rich and exotic feel. Under the top silk chiffon is an interior red silk lining that is set through the skirt and front bodice. The entire back and sleeves are not lined so you catch a glimpse of skin through the silk. Very sexy. Each sleeve extends from the bodice in a wide cut of fabric and then tapers down as they reach the wrist so that they billow out over the wrist. They are cut extra long and are meant to slightly scrunch up around the wrist so that the fuller part above takes centre stage. The neck is simple and slightly scooped and the skirt falls from the waist and gently widens out as it nears the floor. It zippers at the back to just above the waist and then buttons from there to the neck. The entire back is unlined so you get this fantastic semi-transparent effect. I have added a red grosgrain ribbon that I will include with the dress and you could easily use a different belt of your own to change the look even more. It is a beautiful, dramatic piece and it is even better on person and on an actual body. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a deep red silk with the sleeves, shoulders and upper back left unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper from the waist down and buttons above that to the neck. Each sleeve has a snap at the cuff.

Sleeves: approx 24" from natural shoulder
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open with no defined side seams
Waist: 13" flat across the back from seam to seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across the back from seam to seam of the skirt's lining
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3224

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.