Mary Mcfadden Couture Beaded Dress
View Similar Items
Mary Mcfadden Couture Beaded Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12 (US)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Bridgehampton, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 6746-31stDibs: LU20123716543
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.
- Trina Turk Women´s Gray and Navy DressLocated in Bridgehampton, NYTrina Turk Women´s Gray and Navy Dress, SleevelessCategory
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Dress Sleeveless V-Neck AmberBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Bridgehampton, NYDolce & Gabbana Dress Sleeveless V-Neck AmberCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Michael Kors Women´s Gold Embroidered Dress Size 0By Michael KorsLocated in Bridgehampton, NYMichael Kors Women´s Gold Embroidered Dress Size 0Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Women´s Floral Long Sleeve Dress Size 40By Roberto CavalliLocated in Bridgehampton, NYNew Classy Floral-Print dress from ROBERTO CAVALLI featuring purple, Yellow and Red, ruched detailing, V- neck, long sleeves.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Printed Mini Dress Flowers and Stripes Dress Size 42By Roberto CavalliLocated in Bridgehampton, NYRoberto Cavalli Printed Mini Dress Flowers and Stripes Dress, Concealed Zip Closure at back, Sleeveless with crew neck.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Prada Spaghetti-Strap Sequin Evening Dress Size 42By PradaLocated in Bridgehampton, NYPrada Spaghetti-Strap Sequin with Ruffles and Lace Evening DressCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2012 Runway Bustier Corset Crystal Embellished Evening Dress GownBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2012 Runway Bustier Corset Crystal Embellished Evening Dress Gown IT 42 Look 38 from the Spring 2012 Collection.Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 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
Price Upon Request - 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
Price Upon Request - 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
Price Upon RequestJean Paul Gaultier 1989 Iconic “Cone Bust” Corset DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier, Gaultier JuniorLocated in Rome, ITJean Paul Gaultier 1989 Iconic “Cone Bust” Corset Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Late 80s Junior Salmon Corset Dress with signature “Cone Bust”, popularized by Ma...Category1980s Italian Evening Dresses and 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