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 Tall Gold Cuff
By Mary McFadden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Mary McFadden Tall Gold Cuff Bracelet is a stunning, statement-making piece of jewelry that reflects the designer's love of global influences, bold designs, and timeless elegance...
Barry Kieselstein Cord 2004 Sterling Silver & 14k Gold Frog Flower Cuff Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Barry Kieselstein Cord Cuff Bracelet in sterling silver and14k yellow gold. The bracelet features a 3-D frog in between 2 3-D flowers with 14k yellow gold petals. Hallmarked "Barry Kieselstein Cord" and stamped "2004," "925," "14K," "Thailand," on the inside. This cuff bangle measures 29 mm wide, 58 mm long and weighs 78.5 grams. This is a pre-owned Barry Kieselstein Cord bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
White Diamond Teeth Cuff Memento Mori Open Bangle Bracelet J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Teeth Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Black Enamel 14k Gold Plated Memento Mori Open Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Teeth Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated brass, the band f...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Light Blue Enamel Cuff Bracelet Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child Cuff Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Designer: J Dauphin The Divine Child Cuff Bracelet is a sculptural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gol...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Diamond Bracelet Cuff Antique Diamond Setting Prongs Silver Open Bangle
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Cuff Bracelet Victorian Prong Setting Gold Plated Silver Detail Thin Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Diamond Cuff is a thin rigid open band in gold plated brass with silver ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Barcelet Blue Enamel Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Bracelet Midnight Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Eight Pointed Star Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated ...
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Brutalist 14k Gold Plated
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Star Stud Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Open Bangle 14k Gold Plated Brass Size: Small/ Medium 55 mm diameter Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Brass
$9,995
W 0.37 in Dm 2.29 in L 3.04 in
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold. Comes with GIA report #2235035266. A magnificent jade bangle with beautifully engraved hinge and clasp. The Jade has a very pleasant pale green with a brownish patch that creates a gorgeous contrast with the yellow gold hinge & clasp. The jade is translucent and has a beautiful natural look. The 14k yellow gold hinge and clasp are hand-engraved in botanical floral design. The clasp is equipped with a safety chain for added security. The inside diameter of the bangle is 58mm and would fit wrist size up to 53 mm. The bracelet is 9.37mm thick. The total weight is 55.9 grams. This is a vintage pre-owned Jade bangle in very good condition. Please ask any questions before bidding, serious buyers only please. Bracelet Specification: Style: Hinged jade Bangle...
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Black Enamel Bangle Bracelet Emerald Diamond J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Emerald Heart Bangle 14k Gold-Plated Black Enamel Size Small/ Medium A sculptural 14k gold-plated brass hinged bangle featuring a central heart-shaped natural emerald pai...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel Designer: J DAUPHIN This black enamel diamond cuff bracelet by J DAUPHIN is crafted in 14k gold-plated brass and structured...
Black Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
John Hardy Classic Chain Bracelet with Black Sapphire in Sterling Silver
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Brand: John Hardy Metal: Sterling Silver Metal Purity: AG 925 Bracelet Width: 6.45 mm wide Bracelet Length: 7.5" Gemstone: Black S...
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Dove Cuff Bracelet Bleeding Heart Ruby Gold Plated Brass Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Ruby Dove Cuff Bracelet Gold Plated Brass and Sterling Silver Designer J DAUPHIN The Billet of Myself Cuff is a symbolic sculptural piece by J DAUPHIN featuring a pair of do...
Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass
John Hardy Bracelet with Black Sapphire in Sterling Silver
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Brand: John Hardy Metal: Sterling Silver Metal Purity: AG 925 Bracelet Width: 9.27 mm wide Bracelet Circumference: 6.67" Bracelet ...
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2 in W 4.25 in L 4.25 in
Mary McFadden Vintage Brass, Agate Stone and Lapis Lazuli Wide Cuff Bracelet
By Mary McFadden
Located in North Miami, FL
This theatrical and dramatic vintage Mary McFadden very wide cuff bracelet has lapis lazuli and another burgundy agate stone against the gold brass. It is signed Mary McFadden Hand Crafted. It envelopes a time of Egyptian revival meets modern. This needs a long arm and a woman who is loves dramatic statements and dramatic jewelry...
Lapis Lazuli, Agate, Brass
Mary McFadden Silk Knot Cuff
By Mary McFadden
Located in New York, NY
Mary McFadden's dramatic hammered gilt cuff with black silk Chinese knot decoration. An interesting companion piece for her Fortuny pleated gowns. 1980's USA. Signed. Excellent cond...
Gilt Metal