Vintage Mary McFadden Light Pink ' Fan ' Print Ruffle Tiered Silk Dress w/ Belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 45 in (114.3 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621183332
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.
- 1980s Lillie Rubin Hot Pink Size 6 Fully Sequined Cage Neck Vintage 80s GownBy Lillie RubinLocated in San Diego, CASexy mid 1980s LILLIE RUBIN hot pink fully sequined evening dress ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins. Cage style neck is encrusted with square silver sequins and pearls. Hidde...Category
1980s Evening Gowns
- 1960s Bubblegum Pink Silk Chiffon High Neck Demi Couture Vintage 60s Gown DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s demi couture bubblegum pink silk chiffon high neck gown! Features hand embroidery up the center front, collar, and back neck. Low cut back fe...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 1970s Tachi Castillo Hot Pink Mexican Crochet Vintage Cotton 70s Maxi DressBy Tachi CastilloLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1970s TACHI CASTILLO hot pink 3/4 bell sleeve cotton crochet boho maxi dress ! Castillo was a Mexican designer who was famed for her textile works, and her ability to transform ...Category
1970s Mexican Maxi Dress
- Plus Size Chic Vintage 1960s 60s I. Magnin Hot Pink + White A - Line Knit DressBy I. MagninLocated in San Diego, CAPerfect vintage PLUS SIZE I MAGNIN hot pink A-Line dress! Vibrant hot pink color, with white piping at the collar, cuffs, and two front pockets. Flatterin...Category
1960s American Empire Waist Dresses
- Pierre Balmain 1980s Pink Abstract Flower Geometric Silk Linen Vintage 80s DressBy Balmain Paris, Pierre BalmainLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1980s PIERRE BALMAIN pink, black and white abstract geometric flower print sleeveless belted dress ! Features a soft silk and linen blend. Pockets at each side of the waist. But...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Victor Costa 80s Bergdorf Goodman Vintage Hot Pink Chiffon Off - Shoulder DressBy Bergdorf Goodman, Victor CostaLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage late 1980s VICTOR COSTA for BERGDORF GOODMAN hot pink fuchsia chiffon off-the-shoulder ruched dress! Flattering fitted ruched bodice on the front and back, with an attac...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Herve Leger Pink and Gray Knit Cut Out Sheer Mesh Bandage Maxi Dress, 1990sBy Herve LégerLocated in Sparks, NVIconic 1990s Herve Leger knit maxi dress with cut out slash sheer mesh panels and body hugging shape. Details Unlined Circa: 1990s Label: Herve Leger Paris...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Missoni Colorful Silk Halter DressBy MissoniLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous colorful fine silk knit halter dress from Missoni in a red, orange, blue, yellow, white, lavender and black abstract pattern. It slips on over the head and has 2 black str...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Gucci SS 2013 Silk One Shoulder DressBy Gucci, Frida GianniniLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful chrysanthemum print silk jersey dress in shades of pink and white by Frida Giannini for Gucci. It has one full sleeve with draping diagonally across the front of the dre...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Holly Harp Barbie Pink 1970s Silk Angel Sleeve DressBy Holly HarpLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful vibrant pink silk mini dress from Holly Harp. It has a crew neckline with a back keyhole and a self covered button above it. The dress is cut straight from the shoulder...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Versace Pink Silk Buckle Waist Halter Dress S/S 2002By VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous bight pink silk dress from Versace. It has a halter neckline, ruched side waist and the skirt flares at the hem and is slightly longer in the back. The back waist has inc...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Herve Leger Pink Bodycon Dress 1990sBy Herve LégerLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful bight pink fitted dress from master designer Herve Leger in his signature stretch fabric. The dress has spaghetti straps and the body conscious fit he is famous for. It ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses