Mary McFadden Jet Encrusted Pleated Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Unlabelled.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU46244914
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Lucien LeLong Art Deco Lame Broche Cocktail DressBy Lucien LelongLocated in New York, NYLucien LeLong Art Deco lame broche cocktail dress about 1925. In autumnal tones, with orangey gold and silver metallic cubist patterns along its h...Category
1920s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Technicolor Silk Chiffon and Sequined GownLocated in New York, NYAmazing Technicolor Silk Chiffon and Sequined Gown from the 1970's. Designer label has been removed but quality is beautiful. Vibrant tropical striped silk chiffon with matching tonal sequin bodice and waist band. Full pleated skirt as well as full sheer kimono...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
- Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld Silk Crepe and Net Edwardian EnsembleBy Karl Lagerfeld for ChloeLocated in New York, NYChloe by Karl Lagerfeld Silk Crepe and Net Edwardian Ensemble from the late 1970's. The ensemble is composed of a floor length gown and overskirt. Both are of nude silk crepe and net...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Anthony Muto Chiffon Print GownBy Anthony MutoLocated in New York, NYFlowy Anthony Muto chiffon gown with overall morning glory and foliage print. A simple one piece wide necked sheath gown with wrapped back bodice has a large triangular scarf attache...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Art Deco Gold Lace and Beaded Flapper DressLocated in New York, NYFlapper dress of floral pattern gold lame lace, beaded and embroidered with fuschia and black gold glass beads in a modified art deco swirl design. Fran...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Paganne Art Deco Print GownBy Paganne by Gene BerkLocated in New York, NYPaganne by Gene Berk Gown from the 1970's in synthetic knit with a placed print of French Art Deco Fashion Designs on skirt. High neck, cut away armholes with black, white, grey and ...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Gertrude Arzt of Huntington (Texas) Silk/Satin Metallic Gold GownLocated in Sharon, CTA rare 1960's formal dress by important American designer Gertrude Arzt of Huntington Texas. Indian inspired overall pattern in gold thread on a satin/silk morphing color from yello...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Alexander McQueen S/S 2009 Swarovski Crystal Structured Kaleidoscope Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Alexander McQueen for the Spring/Summer 2009 "Natural Dis-tinction, Un-natural Selection" collection. This particular dress was featured on the runway for that season with the print included in numerous garment designs and color palettes. Sleeveless sculptural shift dress. Multicolor kaleidoscope abstract crystal print pattern. V-slit neckline. Center front hemline slit. Large faceted Swarovski crystal embellishments in various sizes at shoulders and center back waistline. Crystals have an intentional distressed look to them, which include scratches at the surfaces, and a silver backing that highlights an aged, and raw reflective appearance. The silk blend of this garment offers a slight sheen to the material. Center back invisible zipper with single hook and eye closure. Fully lined. This dress is recognized as InStyle magazine's 2009 "100 Best Dresses...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen F/W 2010 “Angels & Demons” Medieval Art Royalty Gown DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILFrom Alexander McQueen’s final collection, this spectacular piece features digitally printed imagery depicting Medieval religious ar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRAlexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Dress Sheath Mini Vintage 90's Robe Evening Party Cocktail Dress Ori...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Bob Bugnand Sam Friedlander Aurora Borealis Sequin Paisley Mini Dress 1960s XSBy Bob Bugnand for Sam Friedlander, Bob BugnandLocated in North Attleboro, MASuch a fun cocktail dress! This vintage late 1960s designer Bob Bugnand dress is an explosion of color, with a multi-colored Indian paisley print fabric completely covered in transpa...Category
1960s American Mini Dress
- Versace SS 1995 butterfly runway dressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBIconic and super rare dress in one of Versaces most iconic prints ever - the butterfly print. This dress in the white butterfly print was worn on the runway...Category
1990s European Cocktail Dresses