Mary Mcfadden
About the Item
Excellent condition.
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6-8 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU11061946948
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.
- Yves Saint Laurent Silk Crepe Paisley BlouseBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent silk crepe blouse in deep gray with paisley print and super long neck tie. Vintage size 34. Length 23". Bust 34". Shoulder 4.5", Sleeve...Category
1970s French Blouses and Tops
- Neil Bieff/ Arturro Herrera Sequined 70s topLocated in New York, NYNiel Bieff and Arturo Herrera's designs were popular in the Studio 54 era. Their work was carried in fine stores such as Henri Bendels and Bergdorfs. This cafe silk chiffon top is em...Category
1970s American Blousons
- Edwardian Irish Crochet and Crinkle Cotton BlouseLocated in New York, NYBeautiful Edwardian blouse with elaborate collar, cuffs and yoke of fine irish crochet lace. Floral hand embroidered motifs on crinkle cotton voile. ...Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Bodices
- Valentino Silk Crepe Print Blouse andScarfBy ValentinoLocated in New York, NYMan tailored silk crepe blouse and matching scarf from Valentino, Rome.
Printed with rows of ballerinas on a deep grey ground.
Excellent condition. Vintage size 10. Italy...Category1970s Italian Shirts
- Libertine Men Philosophers T ShirtLocated in New York, NYLibertine Iconic Mens T Shirt, of cotton jersey with hand cut text of famous philosphers' names running down the front....Descartes, Augustine....Subversive yet, classic. Mens Large ...Category
Early 2000s American T-Shirts
- Takeo Kikuchi for Charivari Men's Rayon Print Jazz Band Camp ShirtLocated in New York, NYEarly mens rayon camp shirt by Takeo Kikuchi for Charivari. Amazing graphics were the hallmark of many of the Japanese mens wear designers of the 1980's. Here a African American Jazz band graphic is depicted in a Deco style on an elongated, squiggle print 50's pale celadon-blue base. A fun riff by a Japanese creative...Category
1980s Japanese Shirts
- Roberto Cavalli shirt with rhinestone appliqué, 2004By Roberto CavalliLocated in New York, NYRoberto Cavalli button-up top with rhinestone appliqué on sleeves. Period – 2004 Size – XS-S Length – 67,5 cm Sleeve -50 cm From armpit to armpit – 48 cm Waist – 84 cm Fabric...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shirts
- Bottega Veneta Cream Cotton & Silk Tie Detail Top MBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Find great style and comfort while wearing this designer top. Tailored using the best fabrics, the creation has been given immense detail. Style it with a pair of jeans and flats.Category
2010s Tunics
- Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Leopard singlet 1990By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Amsterdam, NLVintage 1990's rare leopard print top from Jean Paul Gaultier Junior. Featuring a black crew neck , a black printed signature logo at the front and a straight hem. Size is mentioned...Category
1990s French Sleeveless Shirts
- Kansai Yamamoto "Dart Through" Caravan Oversized Shirt, 1980'sBy Kansai YamamotoLocated in Tương Mai Ward, Hoang Mai DistrictFrom O2 (mainline for men). The piece fits boxy and could layer with multiple pieces. Size on tag: not mentioned, fits like L Condition: 8,5. Natural signs of usage. Feels free to...Category
1980s Japanese Collars
- Yves Saint Laurent White Linen Button Front Shirt SBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Yves Saint Laurent shirts are designed with a focus on both comfort and luxury so that you can wear them for a long time. This stylish creation is tailored from soft linen and comes ...Category
2010s Shirts
- Saint Laurent Monochrome Jungle Print Crepe De Chine Short Sleeve Shirt XXLBy Saint LaurentLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The fine artistry of this shirt exhibits Saint Laurent's years of impeccable craftsmanship in tailoring. The creation is laid with Jungle patterns in white and black shades. It has a...Category
2010s European Shirts