MARY MCFADDEN Black Silk Skirt Suit with Gold Embroidery Size 8
View Similar Items
MARY MCFADDEN Black Silk Skirt Suit with Gold Embroidery Size 8
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU481475153
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.
- YVES SAINT LAURENT Black and White Wool Houndstooth Skirt Suit Size 36 40By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Yves Saint Laurent skirt suit is composed of a black and white wool featuring a houndstooth print. The jacket has center front button closures. The skirt has a zipper closure. I...Category
20th Century French Skirt Suits
- Yves St Laurent 3pc Purple Pin Stripe Suit Set, Circa 1990'sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a 3pc jacket, blouse, and skirt set by Yves St Laurent, from the 1990's. The jacket and skirt are a light wool with a purple pin stripe print. The blouse is silk with long sl...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Chanel Black 2PC Top w/ 2 Breasted Pockets & Skirt Circa 1990sBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Los Angeles, CAChanel Black 2PC Top w/ 2 Breasted Pockets & Skirt Circa 1990s. In excellent condition Measurements - Size 42 Bust: 38 Inches Waist: 32 Inches Hip: 40 Inches Arm Length: 22 Inch...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- CARVEN BOUTIQUE Black Pintuck Skirt Suit with Velvet and Satin Trim Size 4-6By CARVEN BOUTIQUELocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Carven Couture skirt suit is composed of a black pin-tuck style fabric (cotton/viscose) with satin trim at the sleeves and velvet collar. The jack...Category
20th Century French Skirt Suits
- FENDI Circa 1980's Black Wool Skirt Suit with Faux Fur Applique Size 40By FendiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Fendi skirt suit is composed of a black lana wool and features a brown faux fur applique in a swirl pattern. The jacket features center front button closures and the classic pe...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- JACQUELINE DE RIBES Circa 1990s Silk Lame & Lace Skirt Suit with Belt Size 6-8By Jacqueline de RibesLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Jacqueline De Ribes Couture skirt suit is composed of a black textured silk with lame patterning and lace trim. The jacket has an open style with pockets. The pencil style skir...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Vintage Fontana Couture Feather Skirt Suit, 1990sBy FontanaLocated in New York, NYStunning vintage skirt suit by Fontana Couture. The jacket is decorated with beads, bugles and feathers. A beautiful satin belt with a bow accentuates ...Category
1990s European Skirt Suits
- Dolce & Gabbana Pantsuit, 2000sBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in New York, NYTrouser suit in fine wool and silk, perfect fit and cut. Dark blue color with pinstripe print. The jacket has two pockets and fastens with buttons. A row of buttons on the sleeve. Fu...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Vivienne Westwood striped wool cropped blazer and corseted skirt suit, ss 1994By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood skirt suit ▪ 69% Wool, 31% Cotton ▪ Black, Navy, Brown and White stripes ▪ Doubled breasted cropped blazer jacket ▪ High waist mini wrap skirt with built-in cor...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Diane Freis Limited Edition Black Silk Jersey Dress & Pants W Velvet DetailBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORWe absolutely love Diane Freis vintage pieces and this one is so unique! This vintage Diane Freis 2 piece evening ensemble is in a black silk jersey with velvet burnout accents in sh...Category
1980s Hong Kong Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roksanda Black Wool Blend Striped Strapless Jumpsuit SBy RoksandaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2It's time you got a gorgeous jumpsuit, and what better than this designer one? It is made of the finest materials. Team it with pumps.Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Adidas X Ivy Park Houndstooth Green Turtleneck Jumpsuit (S)Located in Montreal, QuebecGreen. Houndstooth Print. Cutout Accent. Long Sleeve with Turtleneck. Concealed Zip Closure at Back. Color: Green Material: 93% Polyamide, 7% Spandex SIZE: S MEASURES Bust: 29" Wai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Jumpsuits