1970s Mary McFadden Dress with Antique Silver Braid
View Similar Items
1970s Mary McFadden Dress with Antique Silver Braid
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 59 in (149.86 cm)Marked Size: M/L (US)Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 43 in (109.22 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: DSBH2ON116 DSBH_2ON1161stDibs: LU1612710522
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.
- 1950S Lilac & Silver Silk Taffeta Abstract Floral Ikat Cocktail DressLocated in New York, NY1950S Lilac & Silver Silk Taffeta Abstract Floral Ikat Cocktail DressCategory
1950s Casual Dresses
- 1970S Pale Blue Floral Printed Cotton Tulle Ruffled Maxi Dress Lined In SilkLocated in New York, NY1970S Pale Blue Floral Printed Cotton Tulle Ruffled Maxi Dress Lined In SilkCategory
1970s Day Dresses
- 1980S ISSEY MIYAKE Wool Flannel Plaid Pleated Sleeve Tunic DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NY1980S ISSEY MIYAKE Wool Flannel Plaid Pleated Sleeve Tunic DressCategory
1980s Japanese Day Dresses
- 1990S Alaia Salmon Red Rayon Blend Stretch Dress With Pleated Ruffle Hem XLLocated in New York, NY1990S Alaia Salmon Red Rayon Blend Stretch Dress With Pleated Ruffle Hem XLCategory
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 2000S JOHN GALLIANO CHRISTIAN DIOR Olive Green Silk Chiffon One Shoulder DressLocated in New York, NYBeautifully made with an internal corset to keep the shape of the dress. Some damage due to young rich girls who's mother's taught them no sense of decorum. ...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Silk & Cotton Dress Made From Japanese Obi Brocade SeminoleBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Silk & Cotton Dress Made From Japanese Obi Brocade Seminole Indian Patchwork MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materia...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Day Dresses
- GIVENCHY silver 2019 ZIGZAG PLISSE PLEATED COCKTAIL Dress 36 XSBy GivenchyLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Givenchy zig-zag plissé jersey dress in silver polyester (100%). Opens with a zipper and a hook at the shoulder. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. ...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- Prada silver knit dressBy PradaLocated in London, EnglandPrada silver lurex plisse knit tank dress A precious motif formed by different types of ribbing creates a sunray pleat effect in this elegant, luminous d...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
$1,596 - Epic Thierry Mugler FW1986 Silver Metallic Liquid Silky Goddess Dress RareBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEThis Epic Goddess Dress is everything. Extremely rare Thierry Mugler creation, FW 1986 Collection. Liquid silky silver metallic dream in the most stunning fitted shape. Deep wavy V-...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- KaufmanFranco Rhinestone & Silver Studded "Rockstar" Silk Tank Dress Size 4By KaufmanFrancoLocated in Palm Springs, CAA dress fit for a rockstar or a super cool Fashionista. Designed by du KaufmanFranco, a sueded silk tank dress with all the emphasis on the bottom of t...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- YVES SAINT LAURENT silver silver Sleeveless Slip Dress 38 SBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Yves Saint Laurent vintage slip dress in light silver silk (100%) with a fitted silhouette. Round neckline, sleeveless , dipped front...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Formal Gowns
- Giorgio Armani Collezione Silver Floral Sheath Cocktail Dress & Scarf Size 12By Giorgio Armani Le CollezioniLocated in Palm Springs, CAThis dress design by Giorgio Armani for Collezioni label is made in Italy. It’s very reminiscent of a 1960s Italian cocktail sheath dress. Fabric is a beautiful silver metallic flora...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses