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:...
CHANEL black wool 11K COLLARLESS TWEED Jacket 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel Little Black jacket in black chunky tweed crafted from wool (75%), acrylic (20%) and nylon (5%). Features a relaxed, effortlessly chic silhouette with a timeles...
ISSEY MIYAKE WHITE LABEL grey cowhide suede leather overshirt jacket JP1 S
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE WHITE LABEL grey cowhide suede leather overshirt jacket JP1 S Reference: TGAS/D00067 Brand: Issey Miyake Model: White Label Material: Suede Color: Grey Pattern: Solid Cl...
2003 Spring/Summer Yves Saint Laurent Brown Suede Bomber Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Excellent Tom Ford era brown suede bomber jacket from the 2003 S/S RTW collection. Seen on the runway with a blush purple satin skirt, the jacket features ruched accents at the shoul...
RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION black SHEARLING Coat Jacket 1 S
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Ralph Lauren Collection shearling coat is crafted from black suede and fully lined with luxurious long hair lamb fur that has a slight shine for added sophisticat...
Thierry Mugler Cruise 1995 Sculptural Short Sleeve Floral Print Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Thierry Mugler Cruise 1995 Short Sleeve Flower Print Jacket. Body hugging sculptural silhouette, impeccable cut with so many little details. Composition: 100% cotton. Marked size 42...
Beige mohair single breasted long jacket with purple crêpe edge GALLIANO
By John Galliano
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beige mohair single breasted long jacket with purple crêpe edge. Rayon lining. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front and on the pocket flap. SIZE 38/M
HERMES taupe leather 2010 Blazer Jacket 38 S
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Hermès by Jean Paul Gaultier blazer is crafted in taupe-brown grained deerskin leather and tailored into a sharp, fitted silhouette. Designed with notched lapels,...
Courreges Iconic White Cropped Logo Jacket
By André Courrèges
Located in Oakland, CA
This iconic white on white vintage Andre Courreges jacket has snaps up the front and a stovepipe collar. The cropped fit makes this wonderful jacket c...
vintage Runway COMME DES GARCONS tweed velvet jacquard deconstructed blazer S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage Runway COMME DES GARCONS tweed velvet jacquard deconstructed blazer S Reference: CRTI/A00527 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2001 - Runway Materia...
Marni Two-In-One Vest and Jacket
By Marni
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a Marni jacket with zip-in sleeveless vest. The color is a military green. Note the gathering at the cuffs and collar area. The jacket is composed of Cotton and Polyester. ...
Chanel Vintage 1994 Runway Most Wanted Jackets 38 Excellent Condition
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel Boutique
Located in Merced, CA
Chanel most wanted 1994 runway jacket in excellent pre-owned condition. It is adorned with Front pockets and interlocking CC logo buttons.
CHRISTIAN DIOR purple wool 2025 CHECK'N'DIOR Blazer Jacket 38 S
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior blazer in purple, gray, and black Check’n’Dior wool (100%). Crafted in a sharply tailored, single-breasted silhouette, it features crisp notched lapels,...
Mary McFadden Wine Quilted Brocade Sequin & Beaded Fitted Evening Jacket
By Mary McFadden, Mary Mc Fadden
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'...