Mary McFadden Silk Knot Cuff
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU46185188
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.
- Lanvin Plaid CuffBy Lanvin ParisLocated in New York, NYEnamelled glen plaid cuff from Lanvin, Paris circa 1970s. Navy cold enamel allover pattern on a silver toned base with side hinge closure. Made in France.
Signed Lanvin.CategoryVintage 1970s French Cuff Bracelets
- Titanium Silver and Lavender CuffLocated in New York, NY1980s titanium cuff, lightweight and colorful of silver and pale lavender. Attractive mix of colors and striking "X" design.
Excellent conditionCategoryVintage 1980s American Cuff Bracelets
- Unique Artisanal CuffLocated in New York, NYUnusual artisanal cuff of "crumpled" silvered metal with a gilt detail trim with coral glass beads.
2" height 6.5" length
Excellent Condition, circ...CategoryVintage 1980s Unknown Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Napier Chinese Cutwork CuffBy NapierLocated in New York, NYUnusual cuff by Napier, pierced with chinese letters in gilt metal, 1960s. Excelletn condition.Category
Vintage 1970s American Cuff Bracelets
- MWlC "Dino" Mineral Egg Cuff, Mark Walsh Leslie ChinBy Mark Walsh Leslie ChinLocated in New York, NYDino Cuff of blackened hammered metal with talons clasping a mineral 3D Dino "Egg" with a moonstone-like adularescent glow.
From Collection: "Jurassic Anime" Mark Walsh Leslie...Category21st Century and Contemporary French Cuff Bracelets
- Huge Celluloid Pansy SetLocated in New York, NYOversized celluloid pansy suite from the 1950's USA. Open back cuff with large 3 dimensional flower and matching clip on earrings. Cuff: Small size. Earrings 2.5", Cuff 1.25" wide wi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Cuff Bracelets
- 18 Karat Rose Gold Diameter Diamond Flower Bangle 0.39 Carat TotalBy Lili JewelryLocated in New York, NY18KT rose gold 2 1/4 inch diameter diamond flower bangle. .1 LILY CUT ® flower shape diamond H color VS SI clarity 0.18cts . additional 0.19 ct round diamond accent . solid gold 8...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Shield Cuff Solid SilverBy Tinguely BijouxLocated in Boston, MAFluid and bold solid Silver cuff. Pairs with Shield Ring. Also available in Yellow Gold and White and Rose Gold by special order.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Shield Cuff Solid 18 Karat GoldBy Tinguely BijouxLocated in Boston, MAFluid and bold solid 18 karat gold cuff. Pairs with Shield Ring. Also available in Silver and White Gold by special order.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Gold
- Versailles Bracelet - Sterling silverBy Esther EyreLocated in London, GBVersailles 3 row bracelet - Sterling silver cuff bracelet from Esther's classic collection "Versailles". Designed with the extraordinary French Palace in mind, Esther uses extravagan...Category
2010s British Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Ammonite 22 Karat and 18 Karat Gold Cuff Bracelet Tourmaline Tanzanite GarnetBy Jennifer KalledLocated in Wolfeboro, NHAmmonite is another stunning, magical fossilized gem. The accent stones in this cuff bracelet are tourmaline, kyanite and garnet in 22k and 18k gold. This cuff is comfortable and o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsTourmaline, Garnet, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gold
- Matrix Boulder Opal Cuff Bracelet 22k 18k 14k Gold Sterling SilverBy Jennifer KalledLocated in Wolfeboro, NHA Matrix opal shot through with every color that opal has to offer. The opal is wrapped in 22k gold, accent sapphires compliment, and gold dust sprinkled on the sterling silver cuff bracelet. The boulder opal cuff...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsOpal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver