Monday, August 22, 2011

Designer du Jour: Malcolm Starr

Malcolm Starr (1924 - 2008) was a popular American dress manufacturer and head of the ready to wear company  that bore his name at 530 Seventh Avenue. From a March 21, 2008 article in  Women’s Wear Daily: 

    “The dress company he operated, Malcolm Starr, was started in the Forties by his father, Frank, a well-known figure in the textile industry. During that period, the family was one of the first to lease factories in India and China for manufacturing, and also operated boutiques in Hong Kong and Japan. ‘Even members of the royal family in Japan wore his fashions,'' said Starr's sister, Gloria Starr Kins. "They were the number-one country club set dresses. You would always see at least 30 percent of the women in any elite country club wearing a Malcolm Starr.’"
    
    This label, although best known for beading and glitz, also produced a charming series of felt applique skirts with circus and carousel themes including clowns, tigers, and elephants. Elinor Rizkallah Simmons received label credit for the firm as did Youssef Rizkallah. Additional designers were Bill Tice, Jay Arthur Kobrin, ,and Carol Horn.
    The embroideries and beading used on their line ... for more click here

 1960s Cream Lace Malcolm Starr Dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage