Unworn 1990s Mary McFadden Couture Vintage Metallic Gold Black Lace Dress
View Similar Items
Unworn 1990s Mary McFadden Couture Vintage Metallic Gold Black Lace Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)Marked Size: 6/ Small (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Style:Valentino (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:Seller: 1D-20801stDibs: LU3865450862
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.
- Vintage 1950's 50s Black Lace Nude Illusion Bombshell Wiggle Cocktail DressLocated in Sparks, NVThe perfect little black dress! Tiny nipped waist, V-neckline, and nude illusion peek-a-boo lace accents on the bodice. Short sleeves and hourglass silhouette. Rear metal zip closure...Category
1950s American Evening Dresses
- Moschino Vintage 1990s 90s Black Lace Up Grommet Sheath DressBy MoschinoLocated in Sparks, NVSimple and chic black sheath dress by Moschino. Oversized grommet detail with a lace up front. Details: Unlined Side Zip Closure Marked Size: I 46/ US 12/ F 42/ D 42/ GB 16 Color:...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sheath Dresses
$319 Sale Price24% Off - 1950s Mam'selle Betty Carol Vintage Black Striped Tuxedo Wiggle Cocktail DressBy Betty CarolLocated in Sparks, NVDarling black cotton 1950s wiggle dress with a striped tuxedo detail and oversized collar. By Mam'selle by Betty Carol. Unlined with side pockets. B...Category
1950s American Day Dresses
- 1970s Aristo Kat Vintage Metallic Zig Zag Knit Maxi Dress with Long SleevesLocated in Sparks, NVVintage 1970s maxi dress with a zig zag design in red, metallic silver, metallic gold, and black knit by Aristo Kat. Unlined with rear zip cl...Category
1970s Hong Kong Maxi Dress
- Vintage 1950's 50s Black Ruched Jersey Bodice Party Dress with a Drop WaistLocated in Sparks, NVSimple but chic little black party dress from the 1950's. This dress features a jersey knit ruched bodice, drop waist, sweetheart bustline, 3/4 lengt...Category
1950s American Evening Dresses
- Bill Blass Vintage Black + White Lace Strapless Cocktail DressBy Bill BlassLocated in Sparks, NVVintage black lace cocktail dress with white tambour embroidery by Bill Blass. Details: Fully Lined Back Zip and Hook Closure Strapless Ma...Category
Late 20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
$275 Sale Price44% Off
- 1980s Jill Richards Black + Nude Silk Chiffon French Lace Vintage 80s DressBy Jill RichardsLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful Avant Garde 1980s JILL RICHARDS black and nude French lace and silk chiffon long sleeve cocktail dress ! Features a nude underlay on the bodice, with black French lace over...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Linda Segal Size 10 Black and White Cotton One Shoulder Vintage 90s DressBy Linda SegalLocated in San Diego, CASexy 1990s LINDA SEGAL black and white cotton picque one shoulder vintage mini dress ! Features a flattering zig zag print on the front with a solid black ...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta Autumn Winter 2010 Black Wool Asymmetrical Runway DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a black wool long sleeve dress w/ colorful cuff buttons and asymmetrical seams documented from the Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2010 collection. We love this understated dre...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Beautiful New Luca Luca Royal Blue + Gold Velvet And Lace Cocktail Dress NWTBy LUCA LUCALocated in San Diego, CABeautiful LUCA LUCA Couture cocktail dress! Stunning royal blue crushed velvet, with striking french lace at bodice, etched in metallic gold. Brand new, with tags--Retailed for $890 ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
$465 Sale Price20% Off - Etro Black Cocktail Dress with Dotted Tulle Sleeves and Satin HemBy EtroLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEtro black cocktail dress with dotted tulle sleeves and satin bias ruffle hem. Flirty dress has princess seams and is pieced with wool and satin, it is fitted through the torso. Long...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Hand Painted Reversible Red + Gold + Green Vintage 80s Avant Garde DressLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde 1980s hand painted gold, red, and hunter forest green long sleeve reversible dress ! This dress was brilliantly designed to wear either the zipper in the front or the bac...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses