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...
GERARD YOSCA Gold Plate & Rhinestone Cuff Bracelet With Lion Motif
By Gerard Yosca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 20th Century Gerard Yosca gold plated cuff bracelet with a hammered finish and a regal lion medallion framed in sparkling crystal rhinestones. The two inch wide bracelet makes ...
Gold Plate
Single-Stone Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo single-stone turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Exceptional Morenci stone in center with vibrant blue color and dark and white matrix. Surrounded by twisted rope and...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Tribal Silver Cuffs, Hazara Triba, Afghanistan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century silver tribal cuffs, Hazara tribe, Afghanistan A pair of intricate cut-work silver cuffs worn by women of the Hazara tribe in Afghanistan. Very good workmanship and...
Silver
Hermès Sterling Silver Eclipse Cuff
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Hermès Sterling Silver Eclipse Cuff is a wide cuff bracelet crafted of genuine sterling silver and features a perforated H design, reminiscent of the Evelyne handbag. Extra small...
Sterling Silver
Panthère de Cartier 18K Gold Cuff Bracelet Size 17
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Panthere de Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet Unleash Elegance with a Touch of Wild Explore the bold and beautiful with this striking Panthère de Cartier cuff bracelet. Expertly...
18k Gold
Tiffany & Co Somerset Mesh 18k Yellow Gold Bangle
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Tiffany & Co Somerset Mesh Bangle Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold Metal: 18k Yellow Gold - 750 Weight: 28.2 grams Size: 8 Inches - 9 mm Width Hallmark: ©T&Co. 750 Includes: ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,495
H 3.25 in W 3.5 in D 2.25 in L 3.5 in
Vintage Napier Textural Gold Plated and Green Glass Cuff Bracelet, 1970's
By Napier
Located in North Miami, FL
This showstopper of a vintage signed Napier cuff bracelet with textural raised design of warrior meets Egyptian Revival cuff is definitely a conversation piece. There is a green glas...
Gold Plate
“Bangle” bracelet Thierry Mugler Haute Couture 1990’s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
MUGLER - Striking gilt bronze bangle bracelet. Very good overall condition, with some signs of wear and marks in the metal. Haute Couture collection circa 1990, under the artistic di...
Gilt Metal
$1,875
W 0.78 in L 7.25 in
David Yurman Diamond, Sapphire & Tanzanite Sculpted Cable Bracelet 925 Silver
By David Yurman
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elegant contemporary designer cable link bracelet by David Yurman. Sleek and sculptured, this bracelet features a series of polished sterling silver large wave links accented at the ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Sterling Silver, Silver
18k Yellow Gold Ruby Wide Cuff Bracelet, 7.5 inches - 33.4g
Located in Providence, RI
This striking 18k wide cuff bracelet captivates with its celestial-inspired design and intricate craftsmanship. The brushed gold surface serves as a luxurious backdrop for a constell...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Navajo 900 Silver Five-Stone Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Navajo silver cuff bracelet features five turquoise cabochons arranged across a substantial openwork frame. The varied oval, tr...
Turquoise, Silver
rare SAINT LAURENT Hedi Slimane Hippie Miyuki ethnic bead elastic cuff bracelet
By Saint Laurent
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare SAINT LAURENT Hedi Slimane Hippie Miyuki ethnic bead elastic cuff bracelet Reference: TGAS/F00508 Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Material: Plastic Color: Ivory, Gol...
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