Mary McFadden Brooches
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.
1970s American Modern Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Gold, Gilt Metal, Brass
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
1980s American Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Mary McFadden Brooches
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Mary McFadden Brooches
Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 9k Gold, Yello...
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Mary McFadden Brooches
Natural Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver, G...
1950s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Bronze, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Mary McFadden Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s French Modern Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Bronze
1850s British Victorian Antique Mary McFadden Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Sapph...
1950s British Retro Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Mary McFadden Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Mary McFadden Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
Mary Mcfadden brooches for sale on 1stDibs.
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- What is Mary McFadden known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Mary McFadden is a fashion designer known for her kimono-shaped jackets and synthetic pleated charmeuse fabric. She drew inspiration for her designs from ancient cultures and traditions from around the world. Shop a variety of classic Mary McFadden clothing from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.