Mary McFadden Couture Green Pleated Sculpted Short Sleeve Dress, 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:Marry Mcfadden
- Dimensions:Length: 38 in (96.52 cm)Marked Size: 2 (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:fortuny (In the Style Of)
- Period:
- Material Notes:Pleats, micro pleating,
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Boca Raton, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73019287322
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: Boca Raton, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 1930s Black and Blue Batik Floral Print Strappy Sleeveless Maxi Dress / GownLocated in Boca Raton, FLA stunning 1930s taffeta maxi dress. I love the blue batik floral print against the black background. The multiple thin straps from the shoulders and down to the mid back are sexy a...Category
1930s Unknown Day Dresses
- Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons Burgundy Purple Gold Lace Kimono Sleeve DressBy Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons, Junya WatanabeLocated in Boca Raton, FLLace gets the avant-garde treatment in this pretty spring/summer 2012 Junya Watanabe dress. The traditional fabric, here woven from richly hued burgundy, purple and gold threads into...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
- Issey Miyake “A Piece of Cloth” 2-Way White Gray Sleeveless Sculptural DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Boca Raton, FLIssey Miyake is one of the world’s most renowned avant-garde designers. His approach to design is unique. Unlike most designers who embark from arbitrary design inspiration season af...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses
- Galanos Orange Silk Plunge Neck Bishop Sleeve Dress, 1970sBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in Boca Raton, FLJames Galanos is widely revered as one of the integral designers in shaping the so-called “American Look”. His designs evoked a sense of casual and effortless elegance that made his garments coveted by women across the social spectrum from the first lady to the home seamstress. Featuring two of Galanos’ hallmark details at the time, this circa 1971 gown...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Leonard Paris Silk Floral Floral Print Open Square-Back Maxi Dress, 1970sBy Leonard, Leonard of ParisLocated in Boca Raton, FLKnown for their unique, feminine prints and exotic designs, Leonard Paris is a staple when it comes to comfortable yet elegant designs. In a sense, every Leonard dress is a canvas on which beautiful artwork can be displayed and worn. This early 1970s dress...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Malcolm Starr Green Geometric Print Chiffon Pink Sash Dress, 1960sBy Malcolm StarrLocated in Boca Raton, FLMalcolm Starr was launched in the early 1960s as a dress line that features simple, easy-to-wear dresses. While the 1960s is famously painted as the Space Age decade, Malcolm Starr dresses showcase to other side of 60s style, one that is characterized by vivacity, optimism, and playful colors. Designed for Starr by Elinor Simmons, this 60s dress is done in a clover green...Category
1960s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- F/W 1994 Chanel Black & White Faux Fur Mini Dress by Karl LagerfeldBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Concord, NCChanel by Karl Lagerfeld black and white faux fur mini dress from the Fall Winter 1994 collection and as seen on the runway on Naomi Campbell. Ultra rare faux fur dress from the F/W...Category
1990s European Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Red Satin Silk Embellished Draped Strapless Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBA beautiful red silk midi sleeveless dress from Dolce & Gabbana presenting a boned corset top for extra support and an embellished waistband. This dress has been made in Italy and is...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 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
- 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
- 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