Mary McFadden golden sea shell belt buckle
View Similar Items
Mary McFadden golden sea shell belt buckle
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2843988183
Mary McFadden
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.
- Judith Leiber Black Lucite & Gold Metal Buckle Black Lizard BeltBy Judith LeiberLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJudith Leiber black Lucite & gold metal buckle, black karung lizard adjustable belt. The belt is black karung lizard and slightly contoured, it adjus...Category
1990s American Belts
- Lai Green Lizard Belt with Blue Enamel & Silver Metal Buckle MediumLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLai green lizard belt with silver green enamel and silver metal buckle, lined in tan leather, marked size medium. In very good pre owned condition. Measurements are in inches: Buckle...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Belts
- Vintage Givenchy Lucite & gold metal necklace or belt 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Givenchy Lucite & gold metal necklace or belt 1970s...Round tubes of Lucite with ribbed gold beads, gold metal chain with Givenchy logo tag, cl...Category
1970s Unknown Belts
- Vintage modernist brass and onyx belt buckle and leather belt 1980sLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage modernist brass and onyx belt buckle and leather belt from the 1980s...Unique large buckle is set with a black onyx cabochon...Marked made in Mexico...Original adjustable so...Category
1980s Mexican Belts
- Christian Dior White & Golden Yellow Cord Applique Wide Leather Belt M-L 1990sBy Christian DiorLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChristian Dior white & golden yellow cord applique wide leather belt marked medium-large. From the 1990s a beautiful wide leather belt in white leather with golden yellow, the center...Category
1990s Italian Belts
- Moschino Redwall Swiss Appenzeller style belt with cows & hearts 1980sBy MoschinoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMoschino Redwall Swiss Appenzeller style belt with cows & hearts 1980s...Black leather belt with gold, hearts & cows with a large shaped buckle...Marked size 42 Italy...The belt is 1...Category
1980s Italian Belts
- 1960s Tex Tan Brown Alligator Skin BeltLocated in valatie, NY1960's Tex Tan brown alligator skin belt has a gold tone d-ring notched closure with 5 notches and is lined in brown cowhide. From domestic tanned alligator. Additional measurements...Category
1960s American Belts
- Hermes Belt H Constance 32mm Fauve Barenia /Dark Brown Street Laquer Buckle 95By HermèsLocated in Miami, FLGuaranteed authentic Hermes coveted reversible 32mm Constance H belt featured in rare Fauve Barenia reversible to Dark Brown leather. Paired with the Street Laquer buckle in black. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Belts
- Judith Leiber Opulent Jeweled Large Scale Gilt Metal Butterfly Belt c 1980sBy Judith LeiberLocated in University City, MOJudith Leiber Opulent crystal encrusted large scale gilt metal butterfly belt c 1980s The massive gilt metal butterfly buckle is embellished with rows of intricate diamante crystals ...Category
1980s American Belts
- Galanos Large Brown Wide Belt With Bronze StudsBy GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAGalanos Large Brown Wide Belt With Bronze Studs. Vintage belt from 1980s in excellent condition Measurements: Longest length - 28.3 inches Shortest length - 27 inches Height - 4...Category
1980s American Belts
- Yves Saint Laurent Brown Suède BeltBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAYves Saint Laurent Brown Suède Belt. Vintage belt from 1980s in excellent condition This YSL belt is from an extensive collection I acquire...Category
1980s French Belts
- Edouard Rambaud Pour Portanera Paris Beige Suède Belt W/ Gold Metal HeartBy Edouard RambaudLocated in Los Angeles, CAEdouard Rambaud Pour Portanera Paris Beige Suède Belt W/ Gold Metal Heart. Vintage Belt from 1990s in excellent condition Measurements: Longest length - 27.5 inches Shortest leng...Category
1990s French Belts