Exotic C.1980 Mary McFadden Black Palazzo Pants & Gold Lace Top Ensemble
View Similar Items
Exotic C.1980 Mary McFadden Black Palazzo Pants & Gold Lace Top Ensemble
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (Best Fits 6-8) (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Inseam: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)
- Style:Exotic (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Mary McFadden's exotic style details are at play in this two piece palazzo pant ensemble with micro pleating and metallic lace.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU48732482551
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.
- Albert Nipon Navy Blue Silk Organza Evening Dress With Gold Bows, 1980'sBy Albert NiponLocated in Atlanta, GA1980's Albert Nipon navy blue silk organza evening dress with bands of gold accented by bows. The ultra feminine design zips and hooks at the bac...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Navy Blue Jersey One Shoulder Maxi Dress With Tunic Wrap, 1970'sLocated in Atlanta, GA1970's Dalani II navy blue jersey maxi dress with a sporty grosgrain ribbon trim in bright white and Spring green. This clever one shoulder design features a coordinating one shoulder wrap...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
- Snooty Hooty Black Crepe & Gold Lamé Cocktail Dress, C.1980Located in Atlanta, GAThis glitzy little number lies somewhere between 1970's disco and 1980's glam. It is from a fabulous boutique that existed in Atlanta, once upon a time, the Snooty Hooty. The black...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Adolfo Brown & Gold Sequin Three Piece Evening Dress Suit, 1960'sBy Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue, AdolfoLocated in Atlanta, GA1960's Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue three piece evening ensemble consisting of a jacket, shell top and maxi skirt all in shades of dark chocolate brown and gold. The open collar wool...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Victoria Royal Black Taffeta Striped Beaded Maxi Dress, 1970'sBy Victoria RoyalLocated in Atlanta, GA1970's Victoria Royal black matte taffeta maxi dress with beaded striped cuffs and hem in shades of red, green and gold lamé. The dress zips and hooks at the back with a scoop neckl...Category
1970s Hong Kong Maxi Dress
- Black Maxi Jumper Dress With Mod Flower Studs, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAFlower power! 1960's black maxi jumper dress with an array of mod flowers in white faceted metal studs accented by colorful centers in shades of hot pink, ...Category
1960s American Maxi Dresses
- 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
- 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 - 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 - Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s.By Calvin KleinLocated in New York, NYCalvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s. Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress featuring low cut V-ncekline and shoulder pads. Beautiful Lace hem extends past chiffon linin...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Gown with Open Back, 1990.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Gown with Open Back, 1990. Full length woven dress with waistband. Features slit at center front and open ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- Gianfranco Ferré black gown with sheer sleeves, ca. 1970By Gianfranco FerréLocated in New York, NYGianfranco Ferré black gown with sheer sleeves, ca. 1970 Long black wool dress with subtle shimmer featuring waistcoat-style bodice with sheer sleeves. Mermaid skirt features diagona...Category
1970s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses