Mary McFadden Couture Bergdorf Goodman Pleated Fortuny Style 2 pc Evening Dress
View Similar Items
Mary McFadden Couture Bergdorf Goodman Pleated Fortuny Style 2 pc Evening Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:Seller: 21521stDibs: LU2232860092
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.
- Vintage Norma Kamali 1980s Red Satin One Piece JumpsuitBy Norma KamaliLocated in Portland, ORWe adore vintage Norma Kamali pieces and this red satin jumpsuit is simply stunning! This Norma Kamali jumpsuit would make a wonderful evening dre...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Judith Ann Creations Purple & Blue Beaded Sequin 2pc Dress with Bird DesignBy Judith Ann CreationsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a stunning beaded and sequin 2 piece dress from Judith Ann Creations. The outfit includes a gorgeous silk lined long sleeve blouse with a beautiful bird motif. and a silk lin...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses
- Vintage 2 Pc Yves Saint Laurent Black Sequin Evening Dress Alternative EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a really versatile 1980's Yves Saint Laurent vintage knit skirt suit with shimmering black sequins. This evening dress alternative set inclu...Category
1980s European Evening Dresses
- 2006 Valentino Runway Beaded Black Silk Avant Garde Beaded Jacket & SkirtBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is an absolutely sensational Valentino Garavani Spring 2006 raw silk skirt evening suit with a gorgeous blazer that has a beaded bow with tassels i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990s Vintage Donna Karan 2pc Cashmere Silk Evening Dress W Sequins & CardiganBy Donna KaranLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Donna Karan 3 piece evening ensemble includes a 2 piece vintage dress with an open cardigan. The skirt and halter top are perfect for any special occasion or cocktail p...Category
1990s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- Diane Freis Limited Edition Black Silk Jersey Dress & Pants W Velvet DetailBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORWe absolutely love Diane Freis vintage pieces and this one is so unique! This vintage Diane Freis 2 piece evening ensemble is in a black silk jersey with velvet burnout accents in sh...Category
1980s Hong Kong Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana black 3-piece ensemble with ostrich feathers, A/W 1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Silk chiffon loose fitted blouse with ostrich feather trim on collar and cuffs (IT42-FR-38-UK10) - Black satin bra with lace trim and adjustable straps...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent black silk off-shoulder blouse and maxi skirt set, fw 2001By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GB▪ Yves Saint Laurent black silk blouse and skirt evening set ▪ Designed by Tom Ford ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fall-Winter 2001 ▪ Off-shoulder peasant blouse ▪ Low-rise maxi ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood rope print knitted cowl-neck top and drape skirt set, ss 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood rayon-knit top and skirt 2-piece set ▪ Allover beige rope print ▪ Cowl-neck top ▪ Draped knee-length skirt with elasticated waistband ▪ Size Medium ▪ 100% Rayo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana tiger print and denim 3-piece skirt suit, fw 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana 3-piece skirt suit ▪ Fitted jacket in black denim with red contrast topstitch ▪ Bra-top with open back and tiger-print front with sequins ▪ Low-rise maxi skirt w...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns