Mary McFadden, an avant-garde force in the American fashion industry, died on Sunday.
According to WWD, at her Southampton, New York home, McFadden succumbed after a protracted period of health deterioration.
Born to a family of prominence in Tennessee, Mary McFadden's formative years were shaped by culture and intellect. Her studies at revered institutions like Columbia University in New York and the Sorbonne in Paris broadened her horizons, embedding a profound appreciation for art and history that would later define her career in fashion.
Mary McFadden was globally recognized for introducing innovative design techniques that often melded her extensive travel experiences into her work. Notably, she developed "Mari pleating," a textile treatment resembling Grecian and Egyptian styles, and her handpainted fabrics, which became synonymous with the McFadden brand.
McFadden's early days in Paris as a teenager left an indelible mark on her, leading to a career where she ventured beyond conventional fashion narratives. In the 1970s, she founded her own fashion company in an unconventional setting, deviating from the typical locales associated with the fashion industry. By the early 1980s, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first female president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
In a career that spanned over seven decades, McFadden's influence on fashion was profound. Her editorial work in major publications not only showcased her creative genius but also cemented her role as a pivotal voice in fashion journalism. Mary McFadden’s legacy includes substantial contributions to fashion education with her donation of a significant collection to Drexel University.
Mary McFadden was renowned for her philosophical outlook towards her personal life, notably her view on her eleven marriages. She described marriage as "a very dicey operation," but expressed gratitude for the wide range of experiences it provided her.
Throughout her life, McFadden remained an avid sports enthusiast and an art collector, hosting numerous social events that welcomed a diverse set of personalities from various industries.
Her designs and leadership helped redefine American women’s fashion during a pivotal era. As the 1970s ushered in the sexual revolution, McFadden emerged as a visionary, "reimagining women's wardrobes" with her artistic flair and cultural acumen.
She was not only a trailblazer in fashion but in her passions as well. "They will think of my dresses of course. And that I am a damn good tennis player. I am," McFadden once stated proudly.
Mary McFadden will be remembered for her unique capacity to bring historical and cultural precision to modern fashion. "No one after all these decades can fully grasp her genius, her rigorous intellect... manifested in her work," reflected an industry colleague.
Survived by her brother, McFadden leaves behind a legacy of innovation and aesthetics.
According to her, the divine gifted her an incredible ability to see and project beauty: "God had blessed me with an incredible gift. My sense of beauty, which is inside of me, I can project that for the various products that we create."
In retrospect, Mary McFadden's life and work transcended traditional boundaries in fashion. Her approach intertwined her philosophy with a professional legacy that redefined perceptions of style and substance in the fashion world. Her contributions continue to influence and inspire well beyond the runway.
