The unique life of the late fashion designer, artist and world traveler Mary McFadden will be celebrated on November 5th.
America’s Talented McFadden passed away on September 13th at his home in Southampton, New York at the age of 83. Like the Maripleats she designed, McFadden lived her life openly and boldly throughout her 70-year career. She also rivaled the title of a 2003 book, “Mary McFadden: High Priestess of High Fashion.”
She has mined inspiration from past centuries of civilizations and civilisations, creating a collection that draws on the cultures of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Ancient Greece. Insatiably curious, McFadden has traveled to more than 60 countries and been married 11 times.
About 150 people are expected to attend next month’s memorial service, which will be held at an event space at 583 Park Avenue in New York City, said Joan Olden, a friend of the designer and former president of Mr. McFadden’s company. It is said that there is For the convenience of guests, the gathering will be held from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and from 3:30 PM, there will be a time to share memories with family members, as well as audience members who wish to attend. One of McFadden’s ex-husbands, Kore Yohanan, is scheduled to speak.
Lazaro Arias and Mary McFadden of Fashion Follies.
Eric Weiss
Twenty mannequins showcasing McFadden’s ensemble will be displayed along the perimeter of the balcony of the landmark 100-year-old Delano & Aldrich-designed building. Additionally, transcripts of McFadden’s interviews, including a 1984 interview with historian and producer Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, will be shown on a video screen. A variety of pieces from McFadden’s various collections and some of her personal possessions will be available for purchase at the event. The funds will be donated to the Mary McFadden Fund at Drexel University. The university has just concluded a retrospective, “Modern Ritual: The Art of Mary McFadden.”
Mary McFadden’s gown is an uncut 19th century Chinese robe.
Presented by Massachusetts College of Art & Design
Throughout his life, the designer was disciplined and patient. After attending what McFadden described as “a fine all-girls military high school called Foxcroft in Virginia,” she developed an athletic ability unlike many others, and competed with seven male dentists and two. I climbed the high road from the Matterhorn to Chamonix with my guide. After two days of unexpected snowfall, McFadden climbed the 13,000-foot icy surface of Pignes d’Arolla in crampons.
Mary McFadden
Patrick McMullan
The photo used on the invitation to the Nov. 5 gala of McFadden and a line of models stopping traffic on Seventh Avenue and surprising police officers shows that much of her professional life has revolved around Seventh Avenue. It is appropriate because it was rotating. Before entering the industry, McFadden attended Traphagen School of Design on 7th Street. (Fittingly, her first class was “The World’s 1,000 Stitches,” but she dropped out and started working after two months.) The photo of McFadden and seven models, all in her evening wear The photo was taken as it is, wearing the same design. According to Alden, it was on its way to somewhere in the 1980s.
“Isn’t that symbolic?” Alden asked. McFadden might be the same way.
