Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Black + White Fortuny Pleated Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4 (US)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU662585452
Mary McFadden
Less could have been expected from a well-bred society girl like Mary McFadden, who stepped out of the safe confines of the haut monde to create iconic designs for evening dresses, jackets, skirts and other items inspired by ancient and ethnic cultures and traditions. Fashion, in fact, was not initially on her agenda.
“I fell into it backwards,” she told the New York Times in 1979.
Born in New York but raised on a cotton plantation in Memphis, Tennessee, McFadden spent a few months at the Traphagen School of Fashion in 1956 and moved on to study sociology and anthropology at Columbia University. Afterward, she spent a short period of time in public relations at Christian Dior during the early 1960s, but she was unsure exactly what would lie ahead for her. McFadden decided to relocate to South Africa with her first husband, who oversaw production of the De Beers mines. While there, she began to design her own clothing — tunics that featured African prints, made of silk she’d found in Madagascar — because she couldn’t find anything that suited her.
In 1970, following two divorces, McFadden returned to her native New York City and was offered a job as an editor at Vogue magazine. Her colleagues admired the sophisticated garments she made in South Africa and had been wearing to work, and the magazine staffers pleaded to feature her designs, which meant she’d need to go into business in order to make them available to readers. So, in 1973, McFadden took the jump, soon becoming known for refreshing kimono-shaped jackets and richly colored pleated dresses that evoke the freedom of a Greek chiton — a far cry from the dull routine office attire for working women at the time. A collection of jewelry followed, and in 1977, McFadden patented her “marii” fabric, a pleated synthetic charmeuse that fell “like liquid gold on the body, like Chinese silk.”
In 1976, McFadden won her first Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award, and a few years later, she entered the Coty Award Hall of Fame. While her business shuttered in the early 2000s, the beloved designer’s timeless styles endure.
Shop vintage Mary McFadden day dresses, accessories and jewelry on 1stDibs today.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- CD Greene Vintage Sexy Little Black DressBy CD GREENELocated in San Diego, CASimply stunning vintage disc dress by CD Greene! The perfect little black dress!!! Features black disc sequins, with sweetheart neckline on semi sheer silk....Category
1990s Cocktail Dresses
- Donald Brooks Vintage Black & White Eyelet Belted Maxi DressBy Donald BrooksLocated in San Diego, CAFeaturing a beautiful vintage black & white Donald Brooks gown! Chic white eyelet collar, with white eyelet trim pockets at waist. Original black patent leather belt included. Fully ...Category
1970s Evening Dresses
- Vintage Geoffrey Beene Silk Velvet Leopard Dress W/ Tassel BeltBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage Geoffrey Beene silk velvet dress, with matching fringed belt. Features a slight leopard print. Colors include chocolate bro...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Pat Sandler for Highlight 60s Black Chiffon Beaded Paillette Vintage DressBy Highlight, Pat SandlerLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1960ss Pat Sandler for Highlight black silk chiffon dress, with thousands of paillettes! Layers and layers of black silk chiffon on the skirt, that looks absolutely breatht...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent 1980s ' Rive Gauche ' Black + White Leaf Dress & SashBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful vintage YSL "Rive Gauche" black and white silk dress! Wonderful leaves printed throughout, w/ tiny leaves surrounding the large on...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Gianfranco Ferre Black Jersey + Pleather Sexy Vintage 1990s DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage Gianfranco Ferre black jersey dress, with pleather details at bust and shoulder straps! Body hugging fit, that is very forgiving, yet extreme...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Beautiful D&G Dolce and Gabbana Leopard Print DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Hoffman Estates, ILBeautiful vintage D&G Dolce & Gabbana leopard print dress. Excellent condition.Category
Early 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress