Mary McFadden Signature Burgundy Pleated Body-Hugging Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12/US (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2471217252
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Alberta Ferretti Cream & Tan "Ribbon" Sleeveless DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in New York, NYAlberta Ferretti wonderfully elegant cream & Tan "Ribbon" sleeveless cocktail dress is fully lined with silk. There is an invisible side zipper which measures 1...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Silk Chiffon with Crush Velvet & Lame "Bow" SheathBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfull Yves Saint Laurent combination of silk chiffon with crushed velvet and highlighted with gold lame evening dress is fully lined ...Category
1980s French Sheath Dresses
- Christian Dior One Shoulder Cocktail DressBy Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully wicked, yet elegant Christian Dior cocktail dress from his 'Boutique' collection is fully lined with silk. There are 30 fabric-covered micro buttons covering the inv...Category
1980s French Sheath Dresses
- Christian Rupert Mult-Color Metallic Gold Brocade Pleated Evening DressBy Christian RupertLocated in New York, NYThis wonderful Christian Rupert evening dress has combinations of multi-colors mixed with metallic gold threads and detailed with supreme top stitching around the bodice. Above the f...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Halston Signature Iconic Tangerine Metallic Lame Backless Caped DressBy HalsonLocated in New York, NYHalston signature iconic tangerine metallic-silk lame orange wrap-around dress is backless. There's a cape-like extended collar that draps over the backless creating a flowing shawl-...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- Bazaar of France Vivid Multicolor Abstract Cowl-Neck Cap-Sleeve Jersey DressLocated in New York, NYBazaar of France, vivid multicolor abstract dress accented with a cowl-neck front as well as cap-sleeves. The length measures 39 1/2 inches, bust measures 38 inches, waist mea...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- Leonard of Paris Pastel Silk Chiffon Day / Evening DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYPretty pastel silk chiffon Leonard of Paris special occasion day / evening dress. Bodice has a ruffled capelet that flows from the center of the dress...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina ChowBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Two Bill Blass Couture Beaded Tops. New Still Retaining Their Original PricetagBy Bill Blass, Bill Blass for Neiman MarcusLocated in Buchanan, MITwo Bill Blass Couture Beaded Tops. New Still Retaining Their Original Pricetags. Priced Per Top. THE FIRST Nude silk chiffon with red thread circle embroidered...Category20th Century Blouses
Vintage 1930's Gold Silk Lamé & Beadwork Gown UK 10 US 6Located in Cheltenham, GBThis truly magnificent 1930's gold silk lamé dress, embellished with trailing gunmetal grey and silver beadwork, is a phenomenal piece to add to your e...Category1930s Evening Gowns