Spanish fashion designer Mariano Fortuny was an innovator in the world of textile design. He drew on classical Greek tunics for his rich and interesting garments and worked with a revolutionary system for creating pleats. He designed a range of clothing for his couture house, and today, vintage Fortuny evening gowns, gemstone-colored day dresses, coats and accessories like drawstring bags are known for their fine craftsmanship and signature elegance.
Fortuny was a true artist who worked with beautiful fabrics as his medium of choice. Although he showed talent in painting, sculpting, photography and architecture at an early age, fashion was where he really shined.
Fortuny was born Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo in 1871 in Granada, into a family of artists. His father died when Fortuny was only three years old, and his mother moved the family to Paris. As a child, Fortuny was fond of experimenting and figuring out how things worked. He even dyed pieces of fabric from his family's textile collection, which had been amassed from shops around Europe.
In 1889, the family moved again, this time to Venice. Here, Fortuny found inspiration in the past, which would influence his future designs. Not long after, the young Fortuny set off to travel the continent. In 1897, he visited Paris and fell in love with a dressmaker named Henriette Negrin. She became his muse, his wife and his creative partner — Negrin worked with Fortuny on clothing designs and fabrics — and the two settled in the French capital.
A lifelong inventor, Fortuny began patenting his creations in 1901. By 1934, he had registered more than 20 patents. At the same time, his fashion career was taking off.
In 1907, he designed the Delphos gown with Negrin, which French novelist and essayist Marcel Proust described as "faithfully antique but markedly original." Fortuny had worked from his home until 1922 when increased demand required large-scale production. He opened a factory in Venice, where due to the scarcity of silk, he began experimenting with cotton.
In 1927, New York interior designer Elsie McNeill traveled to Paris to meet Fortuny and became his exclusive American distributor. She returned to the United States and introduced Fortuny's designs to New World audiences. Shops opened in Paris, New York and London. Toward the end of the 1930s, Fortuny returned to painting and stepped away from the busy fashion industry.
After Fortuny passed away in 1949, McNeill took over the label and continued running it until 1988, when it was purchased by the Riad family, who remain at the helm of Fortuny today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Fortuny clothing and accessories.
Mariano Fortuny Black Gauze Stencilled Short Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment, usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decoration and venetian bead trim .Mariano Fortuny created his stenciled silk...
Mariano Fortuny Burgundy Stencilled Crepe Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment, usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decorati...
Mariano Fortuny Pink Coral Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Fortunys coats take their inspiration from a myrid of references,renaissance ,persian,arabic .These are often elaborately decorated in historical motifs...
Rare Mariano Fortuny Berry Silk Crepe Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
This wonderful square cut berry silk crepe Fortuny coat is gilt stencilled in a Bellini pattern. Fortuny's ethereal crepe and gauze garments are extremely...
Mariano Fortuny Aquamarine Gauze Stencilled Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Transparent Fortuny gauze pieces are based on the ancient tunic which was a shirt like garment that became traditional attire in roman times, the copts or christian egyptians...
Mariano Fortuny Pink Stencilled Velvet Persian Style Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
this three-quarter length orange-red cut velvet jacket was printed with metallic paints with Venetian glass buttons and silk loop closures at the center front. The hand stenciling...
Mariano Fortuny Gauze Sleevless Coat, Provenance Tina Chow
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Transparent Fortuny gauze pieces are based on the ancient tunic which was a shirt like garment that became traditional attire in roman times, the copts or christian egyptians...
Mariano Fortuny Green Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment,usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decoratio...
Mariano Fortuny Black Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
Fortuny's coats often take their inspiration from a myrid of references,renaissance,persian,arabic .These are often elaborately decorated in historical motifs surprisingly unrelated...
Mariano Fortuny Black Stencilled Velvet Persian Style Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
This three-quarter length black velvet persian coat was printed with metallic paints with Venetian glass buttons and silk loop closures at the center fr...
Mariano Fortuny Aquamarine Gauze Stencilled Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Transparent Fortuny gauze pieces are based on the ancient tunic which was a shirt like garment that became traditional attire in roman times, the copts or christian egyptians...
Mariano Fortuny Black Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortuny's coats often take their inspiration from a myrid of references,renaissance,persian,arabic .These are often elaborately decorated in historical motifs surprisingly unrelated...
Mariano Fortuny Pink Coral Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortunys coats take their inspiration from a myrid of references,renaissance ,persian,arabic .These are often elaborately decorated in historical motifs...
Mariano Fortuny Black Stencilled Velvet Persian Style Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
This three-quarter length black velvet persian coat was printed with metallic paints with Venetian glass buttons and silk loop closures at the center fr...
Mariano Fortuny Burgundy Stencilled Crepe Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment, usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decorati...
Mariano Fortuny Pink Stencilled Velvet Persian Style Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
this three-quarter length orange-red cut velvet jacket was printed with metallic paints with Venetian glass buttons and silk loop closures at the center front.
The han...
Mariano Fortuny Gauze Sleevless Coat, Provenance Tina Chow
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Transparent Fortuny gauze pieces are based on the ancient tunic which was a shirt like garment that became traditional attire in roman times, the copts or christian egyptians...
Mariano Fortuny Black Gauze Stencilled Short Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment, usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decoration and venetian bead trim .Mariano Fortuny created his stenciled silk...
Mariano Fortuny Green Stencilled Velvet Long Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment,usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decoratio...
Rare Mariano Fortuny Silk Crepe Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New York, NY
This wonderful square cut berry silk crepe Fortuny coat is gilt stencilled in a Bellini pattern. Fortuny's ethereal crepe and gauze garments are extremely...
S/S 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Lava Print Pink Silk Square Scarf
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a rare pink lava print Gucci scarf designed by Tom Ford. The lava design debuted on the men's Spring/Summer 2001 runway and was used heavily in womenswear. This print was quite popular, and Kim Cattrall...
1990s Krizia Vintage Size 8 / 10 Light Blue Jean Denim Glitter Moto Biker Jacket
By Krizia, Krizia Jeans
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazingly chic vintage early 90s KRIZIA blue jean 'glitter' moto jacket! Features a light blue sandblasted denim, with an allover glitter coating (hard to see in photos, but amazing ...
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Leather Safari Camel Coat It.40
By Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Montgomery, TX
Super Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Leather Coat Designer size 36 - ( Italian 40, - US 4 ) F/W 2000 Collection Safari Style, Cam...
Size: 12
Vintage fur coat size 10
Located in Montreal, Quebec
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Vintage fur coat size 10 Condition: excellent Closure: Metal clasp Color: Orange brown and black Material: Fur Garment type: fur coat Sleeves: straight ...
1960s Charles Cooper for Nan Duskin Vintage Brown Velvet Military Mod Coat
By Nan Duskin, Charles Cooper
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous brown velvet vintage 1960s coat by Charles Cooper for Cooper Couture at Nan Duskin. Fully lined with front cabachon button closure. Side pockets. F...
Unworn Fabrice Vintage Sequin + Beaded Flapper Kimono Jacket or Duster
By Fabrice Silhouette, Fabrice
Located in Sparks, NV
Unworn with the original store tags still attached! Vintage sequin and beaded Flapper-inspired jacket with a scalloped edge. Details: Unlined Shoulder Pads Can Easily Be Remov...
Size: Medium / Large
Chic 1960s Lilli Ann Light Brown Faux Fur And Suede Leather Vintage Swing Coat
By Lilli Ann
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1960s vintage LILLI ANN for London Leathers faux fur and suede leather swing jacket / coat! Features vertical panels of soft light brown faux fur and suede throughout. Suede cov...
Size: 10, 12, 14
1920s Peachy Pink and Silver Lame Coat with White Cuffs
Located in London, GB
This show stopping flapper coat was couture made in the mid 1920s. Truly a rare piece to find, especially in such flawless condition and it's one of the best we've handled for nearly...
Arnold Scaasi Couture Vintage Camel Wool Coat, 1960s
By Arnold Scaasi, Arnold Scassi
Located in Sparks, NV
Couture 1960s vintage mod coat by Arnold Scaasi in camel colored wool. Fully lined with front button closure. Hidden front pockets. Fits like a modern...
Christian Dior coat by Gianfranco Ferré circa 1990-1993
By Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - A Collection circa 1990/1993, under the artistic direction of Gianfranco Ferré. Plum cashmere coat with fox fur. Size and composition labels missing, it fits a 36FR/38FR. C...
1960s Galanos Vintage Floral Print Mod Coat with Cropped Sleeves + Red Lining
By James Galanos
Located in Sparks, NV
Rare vintage 1960s coat by James Galanos with an allover floral print and bright red lining. Fully lined with front button closure. Hidden front pockets. Fits like a modern size smal...
1960's Barbie Pink Umbrella Parasol Roses with Horse Details
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This vintage pink umbrella with horse on horseshoe on handle, from around the 1960s We offer more exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore ...
Gallenga Apricot Panne Velvet Fortuny Fringe Shawl Gallenga Estate Rare!
By Maria Monacci Gallenga, Fortuny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare stunning rich apricot panne velvet Gallenga fringed shawl circa 1920's. The textile art of Maria Monaci Gallenga is often compared to that of Mariano Fortuny because they bo...
Fortuny Stenciled Velvet Coat
By Fortuny
Located in New Hope, PA
The Holy Grail for any collector of vintage clothing is a hand stenciled velvet coat from Mariano Fortuny. These rare pieces were hand made and hand decor...
Mariano Fortuny Green Renaissance Pattern Velvet Persian Coat
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Fortunys coats take their inspiration from a myrid of references..renaissance,persian and arabic .These are often elaborately decorated in historical mot...