Mary McFadden Vintage 1980s Black and White Silk Drop Waist Dress Size 8
View Similar Items
Mary McFadden Vintage 1980s Black and White Silk Drop Waist Dress Size 8
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10421594413
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.
- RARE Vintage Jeanette Kastenberg Beaded Sequin Bugs Bunny Jacket c1990sBy Jeanette KastenbergLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a one-of-a-kind find from Jeanette Kastenberg aka Jeanette Platinum. Vintage c1993 hand beaded and sequined Looney tunes bugs bunny london bridge scene. Multi colored beaded ...Category
1990s Jackets
- Salvatore Ferragamo Chocolate Brown Button Up JacketBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Philadelphia, PASalvatore Ferragamo, Chicisimo, simple elegance, Chocolate Brown jacket. Made in Italy. Multi use. No collar, with small lapels and signature Ferragamo buttons...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Blazers
- Hermes Qui' Import le Flacons Silk Scarf Distressed Denim Jacket-MediumLocated in Philadelphia, PAHermes Vintage Qui' Import le Flacons Yellow Silk Scarf denim jacket in NWOT condition. Medium weight denim jacket with gentle stretch and soft cotton. Hand distressed patches throug...Category
2010s Coats
- Jil Sander Black Python Snakeskin Shoulder Bag ToteBy Jil SanderLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis beautiful Jil Sander snakeskin bag is a fashionistas dream. The exterior is in perfect condition with no signs of wear. The sturdy double leather strap feature fits comfortably ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- Judith Leiber Black Lizard Top Flap BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Lizard Top Flap Bag in excellent condition. Black lizard trimmed with antique silver hardware, swarovski crystals and jade gemstones. Front flap snap closure open...Category
1980s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Darby Scott Brown Lizard Thompson ToteBy Darby ScottLocated in Philadelphia, PADarby Scott Brown Lizard Thompson Tote in very good condition. excellent exterior. very light scuffs and one penmark on lining. 12"x9.5x5" 5.5" handle dropCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Antonio Berardi FW-2004 Silk Sleeveless Print DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Brussels, BEDespite being born in the UK, Antonio Berardi’s roots are Sicilian ones, explaining his love of drama and femininity. This gorgeous silk dress, which mixes a variety of prints and mo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage EMANUEL UNGARO Boutique 1980s DAISY Black Parallele PARIS Dress XS/SBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Asheville, NCUngaro Boutique, Vintage 1980's, Sheer Cotton, Fully Lined, Belted, Straps Tie at Top, Five Round Buttons at Front, 2 Large Front Pockets, Daisy Floral Details on Top, Front and Bott...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
$584 Sale Price20% Off - Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Moschino Rare Teddy Valley of the Dolls - Runway DressBy Moschino CoutureLocated in Iba, PHMoschino RTW Spring 2017, Valley of the Dolls. One of Jeremy Scott's collection of life-size paper doll clothes. The trend has taken hold in a major way ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Safety Pin Medusa Embellished Black Mini DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCStunning Gianni Versace vintage black safety pin mini dress from the iconic Spring Summer 1994 punk inspired collection. The bodice of the dress is adorned with gold and silver Medus...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses