Impressive Fashion Designs by Maggy Rouff in the 1950s

Born 1896 as Marguerite de Wagner, French fashion designer of Belgian origin Maggy Rouff opened a new fashion house at 136 avenue des Champs Elysees under the name Maggy Rouff in 1929. She was known for her understated sportswear designs at the beginning of her career, and later for the feminine detailing in her garments such as ruffles, shirring, and the bias cut.

Fashion designs by Maggy Rouff in the 1950s

In 1937, Rouff opened a London outpost at 12a Stanhope Gate, Park Lane. The business was housed in an old home which she decorated herself.

In the 1930s, Rouff headed PAIS (Association pour la Protection des Arts Plastiques et Appliques, also known as the Association pour la Protection des Industries Artistiques Saisonnieres), one of the most important anti-piracy and counterfeiting trade networks in Paris couture, which was founded by Madeleine Vionnet in 1922.

Rouff retired in 1948. Her daughter Anne-Marie Besançon de Wagner took over the business. The house closed in 1965 after failing to attract younger customers. Rouff died in 1971 at the age of 74. These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Maggy Rouff in the 1950s.

Maggy Sarrange in black satin halter dress with wide lapels by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Model in gala evening gown of white moiré banded in black lace worn with blue-green satin manteau, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Model in white lamb's broadtail jacket by Maggy Rouff, hat by Legroux, handbag by Violette Cornille, photo by Seeberger Bros., 1951

Sophie Malgat in a romantic gown of white tulle draped with a garland of roses by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951

Sophie Malgat in navy blue poplin suit with lapel detail and scarf in navy and white print taffeta, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Madame Paulette, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951

Joan Whelan in dress that gives the illusion of a two-piece, the long bodice has a draped hip that falls behind in a panel, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Teresita Montez is wearing lovely afternoon dress of yellow organza worn with black silk coat by Maggy Rouff, wide-brimmed hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1952

Ghislaine Arsac in white satin sheath decorated with pearl buttons and worn with satin and white fox stole by Maggy Rouff, photo by Georges Saad, 1953

Model in green poplin summer dress, strapless bodice is belted, skirt is wide and pleated, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Seeberger Bros., 1953

Sophie Malgat in greige wool afternoon dress, skirt is full with half-way pleats, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Svend, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Susan Abraham in a back-buttoning blouse in yellow velours by Maggy Rouff, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1953

Lucky in lace evening gown by Maggy Rouff worn with white fox stole by Mendel, evening clutch by Lesselbaum, photo by Seeberger Bros., Paris, 1954

Model is wearing coat of brushed camel-hair worn over a sand-colored wool dress, brown suede belt slips between two buttoned tabs, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in lovely silk taffeta dress in pink and blue floral print, two straps hold the bodice, the wide skirt is formed by two ruffles in front, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Ghislaine Arsac in white broadtail lamb jacket by Mendel for Maggy Rouff, satin cap by Janette Colombier, photo by Guy Arsac, 1955

Jacky Mazel in white tulle dance dress, adorned with silver bands that continue from the bodice and swirls around the skirt, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Ghislaine Arsac in beige and white speckled wool suit, jacket is short cropped with flap pockets worn with a natural shantung blouse by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, croc handbag by Ferest, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Rachel Fitzgerald in violet pleated mousseline blouse, with gray silk sash, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Guy Arsac, 1956

Simone d'Aillencourt in cafe-au-lait satin cocktail dress topped by cream satin bodice, by Maggy Rouff, chignon-cap by Jean Barthet, jewelry by Scémama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Ghislaine Arsac in pink and white floral print in taffeta, the skirt is balloon shaped, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in sheer chiffon houndstooth dress trimmed with bows at the shoulders and cinched with leather belt by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Model in strapless guipure lace dance dress by Maggy Rouff, photo by Joseph Grove, 1958

Simone d'Aillencourt in silk print dress with floor-length train by Maggy Rouff, photo by Louis R. Astre, 1958

Simone d'Aillencourt in silk shantung, empire-style cocktail dress by Maggy Rouff, photo by Louis R. Astre, 1958

Ghislaine Arsac in beautiful lace and silk gown by Maggy Rouff, photo by Guy Arsac, 1959

Hélène Delrieu in black and white Prince of Wales check suit worn over white crêpe de chine blouse by Maggy Rouff, matching hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Georges Saad, 1959

Model in afternoon dress of anthracite wool featuring two pleats from shoulder to hem tied in knot with leather belt looped through at the waist, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Georges Saad, 1959

Model in black ottoman cocktail dress, draped neckline knotted at the waist, by Maggy Rouff, hat with violette by Jean Barthet, photo by Georges Saad, 1959

Model in charming white printed voile dress with large center pocket on the skirt, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Georges Saad, 1959

Model in violet tulle dress covered with tiny paillettes, the skirt is in rows of ruffles, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Georges Saad, 1959