Mary McFadden Pleated and Beaded Organza Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden Pleated and Beaded Organza Gown from the 1990's. Signature Fortuny pleated bodice
Mary McFadden Pleated and Beaded Organza Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden Pleated and Beaded Organza Gown from the 1990's. Signature Fortuny pleated bodice
Mary McFadden Pleated Lilac Robe or Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New Hope, PA
This ultra feminine pleated lilac robe from Mary McFadden is just stunning. The slightly raised or
Mary McFadden Signature Pleated 2 Toned Cocktail Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Mary McFadden Pleated 2 Toned Cocktail Dress from the 1980's. Spliced in 2 tones of
Mary McFadden COUTURE Iconic Pleated Black Chiffon Skirt Size 6
By Mary McFadden
Located in Palm Desert, CA
desgner, something done with her iconic pleated is just the thing to own. Done for the Mary McFadden
Mary McFadden Jet Encrusted Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden's cafe and black pleated cocktail dress with large gathered sleeves and a jet
Vintage Mary McFadden Purple & Gold Pleated Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mary McFadden Vintage Purple Pleated Dress is an iconic piece that embodies the designer’s
1990S MARY MCFADDEN White & Gold Polyester Pleated Goddess Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
1990S MARY MCFADDEN White & Gold Polyester Pleated Goddess Gown Relaxed Measurements Shoulder
1990s Mary McFadden Black Pleated Grecian Dress
By Mary McFadden, Mary Mc Fadden
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1990s Mary McFadden Elegant Black pleated one shoulder Gown. Size 4 Measurement Bust 34”/ Waist 26”
Mary McFadden Saks Fifth Avenue Purple Peplum Strapless Pleated Top, 1990s
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mary McFadden Couture for Saks Fifth Avenue early 1990s purple strapless signature pleat top with
Mary McFadden Couture Green Pleated Sculpted Short Sleeve Dress, 1980s
By Marry Mcfadden, Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Mary McFadden couture green fortuny pleat dress. The dress is lined throughout the bodice in a
Mary McFadden Couture 1990s Burgundy Size 4 Pleated Wide Leg Palazzo 90s Pants
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 90s MARY MCFADDEN burgundy / maroon high waisted wide leg palazzo trousers ! Signature
1980s Mary McFadden Royal Blue Fortuny Pleated Size 2 / 4 Mosaic Vintage Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous 1980s MARY MCFADDEN for NEIMAN MARCUS royal blue fortuny pleated evening gown ! Features
Mary McFadden Couture Silk Dress 1980s
By Mary McFadden
Located in Water Mill, NY
A pretty rose pink silk dress with her signature micro pleating from Mary McFadden's Couture line
1990s Mary McFadden Couture Size 2 / 4 Burgundy Sequin Pleated Vintage 90s Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful early 90s MARY MCFADDEN COUTURE burgundy / maroon and gold long sleeve cocktail dress
1980S MARY MCFADDEN White & Pastels Silk Jersey Signature Pleated Gown With Bea
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
1980S MARY MCFADDEN White & Pastels Silk Jersey Signature Pleated Gown With Beaded Embellishment
Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Sz 10 1980s Pink Pearl Beaded Pleated Evening Gown
By Mary Mc Fadden, Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Highlights • Mary McFadden Couture, 1980s – rare and collectible • Vibrant pink hue that flatters
$1,395
Size: Small - Small Medium
Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Turquoise Blue Wide Palazzo Leg Pants + Belt
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage MARY MCFADDEN turquoise blue fortuny pleated high waisted wide leg trousers and sash
Mary McFadden Couture Size 6 Turquoise Dress S/S 1983 Beaded Sequin 1980s Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking and impeccably crafted vintage Mary McFadden Couture pleated dress from Spring/Summer
1980's Italian Designed Silver Micro Pleated Skirt with Beaded Top
Located in Toronto, Ontario
calf skirt. Inspired by Mary McFadden from her Fortuny era pleated gown. The ideal way to dress for
Mary McFadden Plaid Skirt with Side Pockets, 1980s
By Mary McFadden
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mary McFadden Signature Collection 1980s plaid pleated skirt with side pockets vintage size 10 but
Mary McFadden 2 Tone Pleated
By Mary McFadden
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
It is made of a dark & light coral pleated polyester, with heavy gold stone accent on each
Unavailable
Mary McFadden Black Pleated Cocktail Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural cocktail dress from Mary McFadden is made out of black pleated polyester. Narrow ruffle
Mary McFadden Couture One-Shouldered Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage one-shouldered, pleated cocktail dress from Mary McFadden Couture. Fitted throughout bust
Mary McFadden nude draped sleeve pleated dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Thud nude Mary McFadden has a drop waist and long slit sleeves and a boat neck. It is in fairly
Mary McFadden Silk Pleated Muted Chartreuse Sheath Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Henrico, VA
This vintage Mary McFadden sheath dress is made from beautiful pleated Chartreuse silk and is
Vintage MARY MCFADDEN 1980's 'Marii' pleated swirl dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Vintage MARY MCFADDEN 1980's era signature 'Marii' pleated dress. Balloon style draped sleeves
Mary McFadden 1980s Pleated Black Evening Cocktail Dress Size 4.
By Mary McFadden
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Mary McFadden 1980s black pleated layered cocktail dress size 4. Ladies please grab your tape
1980s Mary McFadden Couture Pleated Column Gown with Beaded Cage Bodice
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Done in Mary McFadden's iconic micropleats, this gorgeous white column gown features Egyptian
Mary McFadden Couture Vintage Dress Blue Fortuny Style Pleats in Size 4
By Mary McFadden
Located in Portland, OR
This is a vintage Mary McFadden Couture dress in a beautiful shade of blue. This pretty vintage
Mary McFadden Couture Evening Gown - Fortuny
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Mary McFadden silk gown couture silk gown with beading and sequins. This stunning 1980's Mary
Mary McFadden dusty pink and gold velvet dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
looks like gold red autumn leaves. Mary McFadden's micro pleated fabric is a tribute to Mario Fortuny
Mary McFadden Beige Beaded Bodice w/ Light Lavender Skirt
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
breathtakingly gorgeous fabric of the gown, make this dress a fashion work of art. Mary McFadden's micro pleated
Late 1970s Mary McFadden Pleated Tomato Red Long Evening Gown Balloon Sleeves 6
By Mary McFadden
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Here's an early micro-pleated evening gown by Mary McFadden that we're estimating at a late 70s
Mary McFadden Couture Vintage 1980s Sequin Beaded Blue Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Sparks, NV
encrusted in tiny sequins and beads. Iconic Mary McFadden pleated silky blue fabric, elasticized waist and
Italian pink Crush Pleat Linen Skirt by 120% Lino Size 10
Located in Palm Desert, CA
and Mary McFadden pleating. Purchased in Italy. Never worn. Side pockets. Great movement when worn
1980's Mary McFadden Pastel Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Lovely Mary Mcfadden dress from the 1980's featuring a v-neck, spaghetti straps, and a pleated
Sold
Mary Mcfadden
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mary Mcfadden fuchsia pleated gown with lettuce edge hem. High neckline with jewel encrusted T-back
1970S MARY MCFADDEN Peach Beaded Permanently Pleated Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
1970S MARY MCFADDEN Peach Beaded Permanently Pleated Gown
Mary Mcfadden One Shoulder 2 Piece Pleated Ensemble
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden 2 piece, 2 toned, pleated, one shoulder "delphos" with a braided belt.
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Red Fortuny Pleated Maxi Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
up of Fortuny style pleats, this gorgeous crimson Mary McFadden dress is an elegant study of color
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Red Fortuny Pleated Maxi Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
up of Fortuny style pleats, this gorgeous crimson Mary McFadden dress is an elegant study of color
Mary McFadden Vintage Red Tiered Pleat Avant Garde Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Sparks, NV
Unique red pleated silk dress by Mary McFadden. Tiered pleated avant garde sleeves and scoop neck
Mary McFadden White Long Sleeve Pleated Dress, c 1980s
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a tea length long sleeve cocktail dress from Mary McFadden. It is made of a white pleated
1970s Mary McFadden One-Shoulder Ecru Silk Pleated Column Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Gresham, OR
1970s Mary McFadden one-shoulder ecru silk pleated column gown with asymmetrical black midsection
Mary McFadden 70s Pleated Peach & Lilac Silk One-Shoulder Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Gresham, OR
Mary McFadden 70s wonderful one-shoulder Fortuny-style pleated silk dress with asymmetrical dropped
1980's Mary McFadden Green Micro Pleated Dress and Bolero
By Mary McFadden
Located in Toronto, Ontario
of two layers of the iconic Mary McFadden 'Marii' micro pleats. Deep V front and back and empire
Mary Mcfadden Couture Sky-Blue Pleated Dress w/Beaded & Sequined Shoulders
By Mary McFadden
Located in Studio City, CA
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Couture sky-blue pleated cocktail, midi length dress. The subtle princess
1970S Mary Mcfadden Blush Pink & Silver Silk Beaded Bodice Pleated Skirt Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
1970S Mary Mcfadden Blush Pink & Silver Silk Beaded Bodice Pleated Skirt Gown
Sold
Size: US Size 6 Vintage Appears small
Mary McFadden Lavender Delphos Pleated Backless Gown for Neiman Marcus c 1990
By Mary McFadden
Located in University City, MO
Mary McFadden Lavender pleated backless gown c 1990s The exquisite pale lavender delphos pleated
Mary McFadden one shoulder Grecian gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden, one shoulder Fourtuny style pleated gown...simply elegant...lavender/silver & mauvey
1980s Mary McFadden jewel tunic gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden jewel tunic gown & pleated skirt...Long sleeve tunic length top with beaded & sequin
MAry McFadden Mauve Pleated Long Sleeve Gown w/ Rope Belt, c. 1970's 10
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a scoop neck tunic dress from Mary McFadden. It is made of a lilac purple pleated fabric
Mary McFadden Off White Tiered Fortuny Pleated Evening Dress 1980s
By Mary Mc Fadden, Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden Fortuny style pleated tiered evening dress from the 1980s. This dress consists of
Mary McFadden Gorgeous Fortuny-Style Gown w/ Beaded Detail
By Mary McFadden
Located in Gresham, OR
A gorgeous Mary McFadden grecian style Fortuny-esque pleated gown with incredibly detailed and
1980s Mary McFadden Fortuny style gown with gold macrame
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden Fortuny style pleated gown with gold macrame yoke and waist band...In the colour of
Mary McFadden Couture Pleated and Painted Evening gown
By Mary Mc Fadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden Couture, pleated and painted evening gown in light and dark silver blue grey, the
Mary McFadden Gold Metallic Jacquard Pleated Tiered Maxi dress 1970s
By Mary Mc Fadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden gold metallic jacquard pleated, tiered maxi dress from the 1970s. A unique dress in
Mary McFadden melon pleated plunge gown
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden melon colour pleated gown…Alluring deep V front plunge…which could also be worn to
Mary McFadden Vintage Purple Pleated Plunging Neck Maxi Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Sparks, NV
Daring Mary McFadden pleated maxi dress in the most beautiful shade of muted purple. This dress
Mary McFadden Couture Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This is Mary McFadden Couture dress is made up of fortuny style pleats. The color is a silver
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Silver Gray Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
up of Fortuny style pleats, this Mary McFadden dress is an elegant study of color and texture. Done
Mary McFadden
By Mary McFadden
Located in Austin, TX
Mary McFadden Couture crinkle pleated 1980s gown. Condition: Very good, two small spots on back
Vintage Mary McFadden Black & Ivory pleated Gown-4
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Mary McFadden Fine Pleated Black & Ivory gown with Gold/Pearl detailing and big front
1980's Mary McFadden Black Marii Pleated Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980's black silk chiffon Mary McFadden gown with micro pleats that are known as 'Marii pleats
Mary McFadden Signature Burgundy Pleated Body-Hugging Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden wonderfully elegant signature pleated body-hugging gown in burgundy is
1980s Mary McFadden White Jewel Trimmed Micro Pleated Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980s fabulous white micro pleated Mary McFadden gown. Long sleeves with fitted bodice and straight
Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Black + White Fortuny Pleated Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage Mary McFadden black and white fortuny pleated dress! Slimming abstract effect on
Mary McFadden beaded Fortuny style pleated evening gown 1980s
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden beaded Fortuny style pleated evening gown from the 1980s. This dress is an amazing
Mary McFadden Vintage One - Shoulder Fortuny Pleated Black Grecian Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage MARY MCFADDEN fortuny pleated black one-shoulder dress! Signature silk fortuny
Vintage Mary McFadden Silk Fortuny Pleated Scalloped Ivory Blouse Jacket
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Mary McFadden fortuny pleated open blouse! Perfect ivory color. Light and airy
Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Turquoise Blue Silk Fortuny Pleated Palazzo Pants
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 1980s / 80s MARY MCFADDEN COUTURE turquoise / teal blue silk Fortuny pleated wide
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Couture Dramatic Sleeves Beaded Bodice Ivory Pleated Gown
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
up of ivory Fortuny style pleats, this elegant, couture Mary McFadden gown begins with a jewel
Mary McFadden Couture Vintage Fortuny Pleated Burgundy Silk Flowy Flirty Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage MARY MCFADDEN COUTURE long sleeve dress! Rich burgundy/maroon color. Signature
Vintage Mary Mcfadden Couture Pink Pleated Beaded Waist Maxi Column Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in Boca Raton, FL
An accomplished designer, Mary McFadden studied in New York and Paris, worked at Dior, and served
Mary McFadden Gown with Stones
By Mary McFadden
Located in Austin, TX
Mary McFadden pink pleated gown with green stones on shoulders. Condition: Excellent. Size Large
1980s Mary McFadden Couture Size 8 Black Fortuny Pleated Vintage 80s Dress
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic, yet super stylish MARY MCFADDEN COUTURE black fortuny pleated short sleeve dress
Loris Azzaro 1970s Silk Jersey Vintage Pink Empire Dress Gown
By Loris Azzaro
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage 1970s Loris Azzaro pink silk jersey gown! Beautiful bodice, with a draped, Grecian/Empire feel to the body. Zipper works great, just could not fit the dress form. In...
Victorian Circa 1880s 1890s Black Chantilly Lace Cape With Pleated Satin Collar
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Original Victorian Circa 1880s 1890s Black Lace Cape with Satin Collar This is an authentic Victorian-era cape, made from ...
$885Sale Price|31% Off
Todd Oldham Black Accented with Double-Chain Rhinestone Evening Dress
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham for the famed Fred Hayman of Beverly Hills, wonderfully detailed elegant yet whimsical evening double-chain rhinestone encrusted slightly flared black evening dres...
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Black Floral Evening Gown Maxi Dress
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Les Habitudes Vintage 1990's Jet black Pullover Delicate floral pattern Comp tag missing feels like silk blend Size tag missing please see measurements below Great vintage condition,...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...
$12,640Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 40IT
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage Leopard Evening Gown Size 40IT Spring/Summer 2002
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage Leopard Evening Gown Size 40IT Spring/Summer 2002
John Galliano for Christian Dior S/S 2009 Silk Halter Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous rich purple silk halter dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It is fitted through the bodice with a stunning intricately detailed ruffle trimmed plunge halter neckli...
Issey Miyake Open Sleeve Draped Top
By Issey Miyake
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous blue top, shirt from Issey Miyake. It overlapping at the front exposing the waist and buttons at the shoulder. The back is fuller and longer and the sleeves are open fro...
UNIQUE VINTAGE Galliano-esque Green Beaded Bias Cut Dress
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
This is a delicate and ethereal full-length dress crafted in a soft, pale green fabric that exudes a vintage-inspired charm. The bias cut design reminds me of John Galliano era DIOR....
Emmanuel Ungaro S/S 2005 Purple Rhinestone Lace-Up Gown
By Emanuel Ungaro, Giambattista Valli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning purple satin gown designed by Giambattista Valli for the Emmanuel Ungaro S/S 2005 collection. An iteration of this gown debuted on the season’s runway as look 45 modeled by ...
$790Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 6
Bill Blass Pink White Polka Dot Hand Painted Fit and Flare Vintage Dress, 1990
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 90s BILL BLASS pale pink and white hand painted polka dot fit n' flare cocktail silk taffeta dress! Features large handpainted polka dots throughout. Attached white lace underla...
Dolce & Gabbana Black & Cream Lingerie Inspired Evening Gown Spring 2006 Sz 40IT
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Dolce & Gabbana Black & Cream Lingerie Inspired Evening Gown. Spring/Summer 2006 Size 40IT
nwt's IT46 VALENTINO Vintage Black Evening Gown Long Maxi Dress
By Valentino
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Valentino Roma NWT's Vintage Jet black Simple, easy, sophisticated, timeless, elegant Size IT46 Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: pit to pit 18 to 19, smallest of waist 17...
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded Silk Embellished Evening Gown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
wedding / bridal / bride Les Habitudes Couture Vintage 1990's Entirely hand-made in England 100% silk Size Medium but fits like a XS/S Excellent Condition, no flaws Measurements in i...
1990’s Yves Saint Laurent Canvas Teal Turquoise & Gold Slip On Mules High Heels
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sheffield, GB
Fabulous 1990’s Yves Saint Laurent RIVE GAUCHE Teal coloured Canvas kitten heels, featuring Gold metallic leather trim, 3” Tall heels and YSL Signature logo appliqué on the front Siz...
$460Sale Price|20% Off
Size: XS - Medium
1970s Bill Blass Brown White One Shoulder Vintage One Piece Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy 70s BILL BLASS chocolate brown and white one shoulder swimsuit or bodysuit! Features a sloped with stripe at waistband, and above the bust. Built in interior support at bust. Gr...
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.
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.