1980s Mary McFadden Couture white cage back gown
View Similar Items
1980s Mary McFadden Couture white cage back gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 fits like a 4 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU131207284745
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.
- Vintage Bill Blass evening top and skirt set in cream and black silk satin 1980sBy Bill BlassLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Bill Blass evening skirt set in cream and black silk satin from the 1980s. Sleeveless princess seamed v neck top is fitted through the waist ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Bill Blass golden silk chiffon metallic tiger stripe cocktail dress 1970By Bill BlassLocated in West Palm Beach, FLFabulous Bill Blass golden metallic stripe silk chiffon, tiger print cocktail dress with gold cord and crystal rhinestone trim at the deep V neckline, under bust band and cuffs...The...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
$750 Sale Price21% Off - Vintage Malcolm Starr jeweled V neck lustrous cream silk dress 1960sBy Elinor Simmons, Elinor Simmons for Malcolm StarrLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Malcolm Starr jeweled V neck lustrous cream silk dress from the early 1960s...Princess seam dress has a deep V neckline that is heavily beaded and has crystal set rhinestone ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Naeem Khan silk jeweled Raj inspired beaded gown 1980sBy Naeem KhanLocated in West Palm Beach, FLNaeem Khan jeweled Raj inspired beaded gown from the 1980s. The silhouette of the dress reminds me of Paul Poiret's dresses from his famous Arabian Nights party in the early 1900s. The dress is electric blue crepe which is beaded in blue, the center of the dress is an amazing design with beautiful beading at the front and back. Deep V neckline dress...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Lanvin numbered Haute couture black silk and velvet strapless cocktail dressBy Lanvin ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLanvin numbered Haute Couture cocktail dress...From the late 1970s or early 1980s...Strapless, black crushed silk velvet bodice dress, closes at the si...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- Victorian Embroidered Batiste Lace Gown Hattie 1900sLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVictorian embroidered cotton batiste lace gown embroidered with the name Hattie from the early 1900s. This beautiful gown was never worn, it stil...Category
Early 1900s American Maxi Dresses
- Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail DressBy Jean MuirLocated in New York, NYJean Muir emerald green jersey cocktail dress with long wrap sash. Sash may also be worn as long scarf around neck, and tied at lower back. Front of dress has asymmetrical pleating. ...Category
Late 20th Century British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - WILLIAM PEARSON Designer Vintage Floral Green Dress Ribbon Ruffle Off Shoulder 8Located in Asheville, NCWilliam Pearson, Floral Pattern, Double Layered Lining, Could be off Shoulder or on Shoulder, Satin Ribbon Tie in Back, Satin Ribbon Along Bottom, Full Skirt, Ribbed Top Material, Zi...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
$360 Sale Price20% Off - Rare LARRY ALDRICH COUTURE 1950s Silk Taffeta Bow & Button Cocktail DressLocated in Asheville, NCLarry Aldrich, 1950's Era Vintage Couture, Silk Taffeta, V Neck Front Wrap Style with Bow, Two Front Pockets, Nine Fabric Back Buttons, Built-in Moderate Crinoline with Hook and Eye ...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
$909 Sale Price30% Off - Rare CEIL CHAPMAN 1950s Vintage Black Satin COUTURE Cocktail Dress XS/SBy Ceil ChapmanLocated in Asheville, NCCeil Chapman, 1950's Era, Pleated Front and Back Panels, Front Bow, Open Top Puff Sleeves with Bows on Ends, Round Neck, Bone In Front and Sides, Back Zipper, Hook and Eye Black Clos...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
$1,750 Sale Price30% Off