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 Mary McFadden Bolero / blazer
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Mary McFadden open front bolero with beaded accents Size – M / US6 Bust: 38.25″ / 97 cm Waist: 37″ / 94 cm Shoulder: 16.25″ / 41,3 cm Length: 17″ / 43 cm Sleeve: 29″ / 73,6 ...
$788Sale Price|24% Off
1990s Mary McFadden Vintage Black Sequin Evening Jacket Medium/Large
By Mary McFadden
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
A striking vintage Mary McFadden Couture evening jacket, dating to the 1990s and originally sold by luxury boutique Nina Rayner of Delray Beach. This chic black sequin jacket featur...
Mary Mcfadden Mohair Jacket with Gold Details Size 6
By Mary McFadden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a May McFadden coat. It is composed of a Mohair blend and features gold trimming. The coat is in a wonderful spiced pumpkin hue. Measures (Approximately) Size 6 Length:...
Museum Chanel Vintage F/W 1996 Gold Brocade Mughal Jeweled Gripoix 96A Jacket
By Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
This exceptional Chanel Fall/Winter 1996 gold jacket is a rare masterpiece inspired by Coco Chanel’s fascination with Orientalism in the 1930s. Featuring a structured Mandarin collar...
Iconic Tom Ford Yves Saint Laurent 2004 Silk Pagoda Jacket YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Berlin, BE
So Iconic. The famous Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche FW 2004 Collection. The Pagoda Jacket made of 100% pure Silk. Tom Ford's final show for Yves Saint Laurent, his exquisite YSL Riv...
GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s
By Giorgio di Sant' Angelo
Located in New York, NY
GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s Crimped black and gold kimono-cut top, non-conforming black net sash decorated with metallic gold thre...
Prada Spring 2005 Embellished Wool-Silk Jacket with Crystal Appliqué
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A striking Prada Spring/Summer 2005 jacket crafted from a refined wool-and-silk blend in a lustrous champagne-beige tone and fully lined in silk. The fitted, collarless silhouette f...
Alexander McQueen Double-Breasted Cashmere Knit Jersey Cardigan Jacket
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Alexander McQueen Double-Breasted Black Cashmere Knit Jersey Cardigan Basque-inspired Jacket A timeless, luxurious piece s...
CHANEL cream pink blue 07C SEQUIN GRAFFITI CHIFFON TWEED Jacket XS
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel jacket is crafted in cream semi-transparent chiffon tweed (wool 25%, silk 20%, acrylic 14%, nylon 12%, polyester 11%, mohair 7%, vinyl 5%, viscose 4%, cott...
Early 2000's Gucci Tom Ford Era Olive Cotton Safari Style Jacket
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Early 2000's Gucci Tom Ford Era cotton safari style jacket in olive. Concealed button front closure under placket, four flap pockets with center pleat. Fitted through the waist. In e...
GUCCI black cotton 2000 LEATHER TRIM GG DENIM Jacket S
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Gucci GG by Tom Ford canvas jacket is crafted in black cotton and elevated with smooth black leather trim for a refined, archival-inspired look. Featuring the ico...
Yohji Yamamoto Y's Red Label White Skeleton Print Jacket
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Yohji Yamamoto Y's Red Label white cotton long jacket featuring an all over X-ray style skeleton print, buttons at the wrists and a single front button...
HERMÈS - 1990s Vintage Women's Silk Blazer by Oliver Kermit
By Hermès
Located in Padova, IT
CORRADO LUXURY EXCLUSIVE HERMÈS COLLECTIONS - We present an extraordinary item a pure silk blazer with the iconic Carrè pattern " Les Ameriques" signed by master Oliver Kermit. A tru...
Alexander McQueen Velvet Peplum Cape Jacket Fall 2013
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Gorgeous midnight blue velvet peplum cape-jacket Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton, Fall 2013 collection. Marked size 44 Italian. Chest 46 cm. Length 72 cm. Composition 98% cotton...
$1,045
Size: See Measurement in description
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER S/s 1993 Under-bust Cutout Tailored Blazer
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
This avant-garde blazer by Jean Paul Gaultier showcases the designer's daring approach to tailoring. Featuring bold cutout details at the sides, this structured piece blends classic ...
Mary McFadden Wine Quilted Brocade Sequin & Beaded Fitted Evening Jacket
By Mary Mc Fadden, Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden whine quilted brocade, sequin & beaded, fitted evening jacket with a zipper front. Beautiful cropped jacket is vertically quilted in narrow bands, the fabric is a pinki...
1980s Mary McFadden Art-To-Wear Quilted Silk Long Jacket in Bold Pastel Pattern
By Mary McFadden
Located in Gresham, OR
1980s Mary McFadden Art-To-Wear Quilted Silk Maxi Coat in Bold Pastel Pattern: An iconic McFadden-style hand painted rich pastel-toned Ikat-inspired patterned jacket with front tie...
Mary McFadden Black & Multicolor Mesh Printed Jacket
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Product Details: Black, gold, and silver mesh abstract square printed jacket by Mary McFadden. V-neck. Front hook-and-eye closures. 44" bust, 18.5" shoulder width, 20.5" sleeve lengt...
Mary McFadden Yellow and Pastel Fully Beaded/Sequin Crop Jacket - 8 - Circa 80's
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mary McFadden Yellow and Pastel Fully Beaded/Sequin Crop Jacket - 8 - Circa 80's This artistic McFadden piece is a must have for any vintage lover. The jacket is fully covered in be...
Levis Mary McFadden Couture Rhinestone Denim Jacket
By Mary McFadden
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Super rare and never worn- Mary McFadden couture in collaboration with Levi's! Denim Levi's jacket in the perfect blue jean wash. Accented with red be...
Mary Mcfadden Vintage Black Silk Metallic Beaded + Sequin Vest Jacket / Tank Top
By Mary McFadden
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous vintage black silk beaded and sequin vest or tank top by Mary Macfadden. Fully lined with front hook closure. 100% silk with 100% polyester lining. The marked size is medium...
MARY MCFADDEN Size M Cream Cropped Bolero Vest Shrug
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chic MARY MCFADDEN cropped bolero shrug in off white cream mink fur with satin lining. Made in USA. Retails at $1250.00. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: Sho...
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Size: Small - Medium
Vintage Mary McFadden Green Boucle Sequined Embroidered Beaded Jacket Blazer
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage MARY MCFADDEN Couture beaded and sequined boucle jacket! Features Allover embroidery with camels, shepherds, elephants,...
80s Mary Mcfadden grey silk embroidered vest
By Mary McFadden
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
80s Mary Mcfadden grey silk embroidered vest. Bust: 36"
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Size: No size label, best fits S/M
Mary McFadden 1980s Cream Quilted Pastel Print Jacket with Shoulder Detail
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mary McFadden vintage 1980's cream quilted jacket with pastel print and extended shoulder detail. Open front, light padding at shoulders. Fabric unknown, feels like silk but could b...
Incredible Vintage Mary McFadden Couture Gold Threaded Beaded Jacket
By Mary McFadden
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage Mary McFadden Couture gold threaded/beaded jacket! Words cannot even begin to describe the amount of work that was put into this couture piece! Gold handwoven thre...
Mary McFadden Mini "Campanula Flowers" Embellished Jacket
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden Mini "Campanula Flowers" . Beautiful detailed jacket with mini flowers and embellishments . When you move the jacket flowers are making sound like little bells. It'...