Mary McFadden

Date of Birth: October 1, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Mary McFadden is a renowned American fashion designer celebrated for her distinctive style that blends ancient and ethnic motifs with modern sophistication. Born into a wealthy family, McFadden’s exposure to art, culture, and travel from a young age profoundly influenced her design aesthetics. She studied at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York and later at the Sorbonne in Paris. McFadden launched her own label in the 1970s and quickly became known for her pleated fabrics and unique textile innovations. Her designs often draw inspiration from ancient civilizations, with a particular focus on Greco-Roman, Egyptian, and Byzantine influences. Throughout her career, McFadden has received numerous accolades, including multiple Coty Awards and induction into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Hall of Fame. Apart from her fashion endeavors, she is also an accomplished writer and has published several books on fashion and textile arts. Known for her striking personal style and intellectual approach to design, McFadden remains a significant figure in the fashion world.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary McFadden

1. Mary McFadden has won three Coty Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in American fashion.

2. She pioneered a unique fabric called “Marii pleating,” which is a patented process that gives a permanent pleated effect to synthetic fabrics.

3. McFadden’s designs have been exhibited in major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

4. She was married to Philip Harari, a South African diamond merchant, but they later divorced.

5. McFadden is also an author and has published books like “Mary McFadden: High Priestess of High Fashion.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary McFadden

1. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

2. “I am inspired by the art and culture of ancient civilizations. Their timeless beauty and wisdom continue to influence my work.”

3. “My pleated fabrics are like sculptures; they have a life of their own.”

4. “To be a designer, one must have a soul of an artist and the mind of a businessperson.”

5. “Fashion is an expression of the times we live in, and it must evolve with the world around us.”