Mary McFadden Couture Silk Dress 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)Shoulder to Hem: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5112444983
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: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Versace Color Block Dress with StudsBy VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous dress from Versace in purple and black silk jersey. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a purple front panel and with insets of black along one side and front hem covered ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Thierry Mugler Color Block DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful body conscious purple dress trimmed in black velvet by Thierry Mugler. It has short sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and is semi fitted with princess seaming through to th...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Louis Feraud Beaded Silk Gown 1990sBy Louis FeraudLocated in Water Mill, NYThis is a gorgeous sapphire blue sequin and beaded gown by Louis Feraud. It has a rounded neckline in the front with a deep V in the back. The chest, upper arms and back V are fra...Category
1990s German Evening Gowns
- Valentino Boutique Silk Disc Sleeve Dress 1980sBy Valentino Garavani, ValentinoLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous navy silk dress with tiny white dots dress from Valentino. The cap sleeves are incredible, the ends of them encircled with several 100 finished circles adding dimension a...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Courreges Color Block Dress 1970sBy Courrèges, André CourrègesLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous navy and off white color block silk blend dress from Courreges. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a small stand up collar. It has an off white yoke pointed in the front...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Bill Blass Lace Trim Navy Silk Dress 1990sBy Bill BlassLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful navy blue silk dress from Bill Blass. It is semi fitted with a sweetheart neckline and 12" slits on each side at the hem. The neckline, hem and slits are finished with de...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood indigo cotton jersey dress printed dress, ss 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood dress ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from indigo cotton jersey ▪ Neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boull...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Napoleon Vintage Renaissance Women Vintage Pants Top Set DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in PARIS, FRNapoleon set by Roberto Cavalli! Pants + lace up top! The set a work of art, and is a perfect showcase of Roberto Cavalli's background in art. The set features a very detailed mural...Category
1990s Italian Maxi Dresses
- New Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Blue Trench Coat Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in San Francisco, CAJean Paul Gaultier Femme blue maxi dress with trench coat detailing. Thin straps can be unsnapped at back to create a criss-cross or halter style. Bu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Maxi Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta Blue and White Plaid Check Ribbon Weave Silk DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in San Francisco, CAOscar de la Renta silk pencil cut dress in an amazing blue and white abstract check ribbon weave. Back zip and hook and eye. Oscar de la Renta signature print lining. 57% cotton, 43...Category
2010s American Sheath Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Amythest Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated amythest colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named after a Greek cla...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mary Katranzou Asymmetrical Printed Silk Dress Circa 2010By Mary Katrantzou, Mary KatranzouLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 2010 France Mary Katranzou asymmetrical dress in silk jersey in shades of blue, beige, white, yellow and red. Silk printing by digital images wit...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses