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.
Mary McFadden Huge Gilded Gold Pendant
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden huge gilded gold pendant is all hand-crafted and stamped. Bold abstract pendant measures 4" in height, 3 1/2" in length and 1/2" in depth. There are two large loops in ...
Hermès Set of 7 Leather Charms Petit h
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely set of 7 Authentic Hermès Charms Shapes: Horse, Seahorse, Heart, Christmas Tree, Lion, Cupid, Marmot From the Petit h collection Made of leather Colorways: 1 Beige, 2 Blue...
Hermès Charm Cupid Angel and God of Love in Leather Petit h
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Adorable Authentic Hermès Charm In shape of Cupid From the Petit h collection Made of leather Colorway: burgundy This charm adorned the packaging of a small h item, so it has on...
HERMÈS - Vintage Bijouterie Fantaisie Gold-Plated Metal Necklace 42cm
By Hermès
Located in Padova, IT
CORRADO LUXURY EXCLUSIVE HERMÈS COLLECTIONS - Gold-plated metal necklace from the "Hermès Bijouterie Fantaisie" series. The hooked hook allows the length to be adjusted. This is a ve...
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 38
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Era Lotus Slides * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977 His Final Collection for YSL 2004...
Hermes Hoof Pick Stainless Steel Gold Swift Calfskin Case
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes stainless steel Hoof Pick. Hermes Gold Swift leather case with Clou de Selle snap. Sleek and elegant, the pick is engraved with Hermes Paris Clou de Sel...
$54Sale Price|55% Off
CHIC & PLUS Alexandre Zouari brown amber turtle butterfly big hair clip X2
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHIC & PLUS Alexandre Zouari brown amber turtle butterfly big hair clip X2 Reference: ANWU/A00230 Brand: Chic and Plus Designer: Alexandre Zouari Material:...
Roberto Cavalli Pink and Gold Leather Key Holder, Fob, or Purse Charm
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Tustin, CA
Striking and unusual, hand made in Italy, designer Roberto Cavalli, leather key holder, key chain, or purse charm in beautiful shades of pink and metallic gold. Accent that special ...
Morphew Abode Late 19Th Century Edwardian Metal & Seashell Perfume Dispenser
Located in New York, NY
Morphew Abode Late 19Th Century Edwardian Metal & Seashell Perfume Dispenser
Hermès Keychain Key Holder Alligator
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Beautiful Authentic Hermès Key Holder 5 sides geometric figure shaped Made in 2020 Made of Alligator Mississippiensis Colorway: Beige / Silvery Silver-tone rings "HERMÈS" and "...
Hermès Oran Nano Bag Charm Grigri Black Leather
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Super Cute Authentic Hermès "Oran Nano" Charm In shape of an Hermès Oran Sandal, in nano version Made in France Made of Hunter and Butler Leather Colorways: Noir / Naturel Sable ...
Hermes Coffret a Cigares Humidor Limited Edition Sycamore Wood Sesame Lizard
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Coffret a Cigares Humidor cigar storage box. Featured in Sycamore wood with inlaid lizard in Sesame. Inlays form "H" design. This stunning limited edition Hermes humidor...
Exceptional Hermès Shoe Trees in Leather RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Set of 2 shoe trees Vintage items Made of leather Colorway: brown "HERMÈS - PARIS" in golden letters on each shoe tree ...