Vintage Mary McFadden Light Pink ' Fan ' Print Ruffle Tiered Silk Dress w/ Belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 45 in (114.3 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621183332
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1980s Lillie Rubin Hot Pink Size 6 Fully Sequined Cage Neck Vintage 80s GownBy Lillie RubinLocated in San Diego, CASexy mid 1980s LILLIE RUBIN hot pink fully sequined evening dress ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins. Cage style neck is encrusted with square silver sequins and pearls. Hidde...Category
1980s Evening Gowns
- Incredible Vintage Lillie Rubin 1990s Hot Pink Fully Sequined 90s Mini DressBy Lillie RubinLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage LILLIE RUBIN 1990s schocking hot pink fully sequined and beaded mini dress! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequin throughout. Pink seed beads line the sleeves and plung...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Pink + Orange + Purple Striped Slinky Vintage 70s Scarf Wrap DressLocated in San Diego, CAPretty 1970s orange, pink and purple slinky jersey wrap dress with attached neck scarf ! Features vibrant colors with an Aztec like print throughout. Colorful rhinestone buttons at e...Category
1970s Cocktail Dresses
- NWT Monique Lhuillier Size 8 / 10 Hot Pink Lace Fit n Flare A Line DressBy Monique Lhuillier, Monique IhuillierLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous new with tags MONIQUE LHUILLIER hot pink lace fit n/ flare sleeveless dress! Features a tailored bodice with a full forgiving skirt. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Bubblegum Pink Silk Chiffon High Neck Demi Couture Vintage 60s Gown DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s demi couture bubblegum pink silk chiffon high neck gown! Features hand embroidery up the center front, collar, and back neck. Low cut back fe...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 1950s Werle of Beverly Hills Demi Couture Pink + Fuchsia Silk Chiffon 50s DressBy WERLE of Beverly HillsLocated in San Diego, CAStunning 1950s vintage WERLE OF BEVERLY HILLS demi couture pink, fuchsia and white watercolor print chiffon silk dress! I once had the long sleeved version of this rare gem, and I wa...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Gianni Versace F/W 2002 Star Flower Collage Print Plunge Neck Fit & Flare DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Donatella Versace for the fall/winter 2002 collection. This Gianni Versace Couture labeled piece features a multicolor psychedelic floral and star cluster pattern, featured in fashion...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Ethic Trompe l'oeil Vanessa Guide DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Body Ethic Trompe l'oeil Venus Stiped Mesh Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion ...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Moroccan Vintage Kaftan Fuchsia Velvet Bohemian Caftan 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAGorgeous vintage designer Moroccan kaftan in fuchsia velvet. This chic Bohemian maxi dress caftan is one of a kind designer evening Moroccan Middle Eastern gown. Vintage exotic 1970s pink maxi dress kaftan handmade in North Africa, Morocco. Unisex will fit Medium to Large Dress measurement flat: Shoulder 14" Sleeve 21" Chest 18" Hip 21" Total length 57". Handcrafted by Moroccan artist fashion designer, this is a one of a kind caftan, inspired by the tales of princess of the Arabian Nights. The Kaftan is a long and wide tunic, collarless, long-sleeved, worn by man and women in Africa and the Middle East. The Moroccan kaftans inspired European and global designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and many more who made the Moorish caftans...Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
- Moroccan Caftan Pink Color with Silver Trim, Vintage Kaftan circa 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with silver metallic threads, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional...Category
1970s Moroccan Maxi Dresses
- Vintage Moroccan Caftan Hot Pink with Gold, 1970'sLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with gold, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and e...Category
1970s Moroccan Kaftans
- Vintage Moroccan Kaftan Hot Pink Color with Silver Trim caftan 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with silver, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional designs in silve...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans