Vintage Mary McFadden Purple + Pink + Green 3-D Rose Print Caftan Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small - X Large (US)Bust: 58 in (147.32 cm)Waist: 54 in (137.16 cm)Hip: 56 in (142.24 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 56 in (142.24 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621292973
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.
- Chic 1960s Black and White Gingham Long Sleeve A - Line Vintage 60s Wool DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic late 1960s black and white large houndstooth long sleeve A-line dress! Features a fitted bodice with a full skirt. Oversized collar, and bell sleeves that cuff at the hem. Featu...Category
1960s American Shift Dresses
- 1990s Liyiz Vintage Early 90s Black Crepe Colorful Sequin Babydoll Empire DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic vintage early 1990s LIYIZ black crepe and sequin babydoll empire dress! Flattering high empire waist is very forgiving. Thousands of hand-sewn colorful sequins on the bodice in ...Category
1990s French Empire Waist Dresses
- Chic 1960s Saks 5th Avenue Faux Fur Black Shift A - Line Mod Vintage 60s DressBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s SAKS FIFTH AVE. black faux fur mod A-Line / shift dress! This is not just your average little black dress, and I have never seen one like this before! Super soft faux fur ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Black and Silver Sequined Geometric Jersey Vintage 70s Disco Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CADisco chic 1970s black and silver jersey maxi dress! Features silver sequins at the bust in geometric shapes. Stretch jersey is lightweight and comfortable. Hidden zipper up th eback...Category
1970s Maxi Dress
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere Black + Gold + Nude Silk Chiffon Lace DressBy BalenciagaLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous early 2000s BALENCIAGA by NICOLAS GHESQUIERE black, gold and nude silk chiffon lace cocktail dress! Features a nude silk chiffon underlay with black and gold French lace ove...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Angelo Tarlazzi 1990s Denim Bodycon Faux Bolero 90s Blue Jean DressBy Angelo TarlazziLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing sexy in all the right ways early 1990s ANGELO TARLAZZI 'faux bolero' bodycon denim dress! Features a soft cotton denim / elastane fabric that stretches to fit. Attached boler...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal trim details S/S1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBVintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal details S/S1995. The dress is in good condition just light signs of use around the crystals. ▪ Black rayon chiffon with lining ▪...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Chanel black wool dress pre fall 2011 Paris Byzance FR 46By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL Pre-fall 2011 PARIS BYZANCE Métiers d'Art Look 11/67 Black wool jersey dress embellished with 6 jewel ornaments. Size FR 46 Made in France 100% wool ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Lanvin long velvet dress 60s/70sBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Rubiera, RELANVIN 22. Faubourg St. Honoré _ PARIS 60s/70s Long printed velvet dress with large shocking pink and ruby red roses on a brown and gray background Round ne...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano blue open-knit sleeveless bodycon dress, ss 2000By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior blue open-knit bodycon dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Crew neck ▪ Knee-length ▪ Various knitted techniques used to create a shredded appearance to the fabric ▪...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia navy knitted virgin wool bodycon hooded dress, fw 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia knitted virgin wool dress ▪ Single zip fastening circles the body starting at the right hip and ending at the left breast ▪ Integral hood with scarf ending on one si...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns