Mary McFadden Archive

Items

• Letter from Yanna Avis (1993)
  Personal correspondence from Yanna Avis, professional singer and socialite. Avis thanks McFadden for her advice and encouragement.
• New York Daily News People Page
  Page 24, the People Page from the January 15, 1993 edition of the New York Daily News featuring Mary McFadden holding a chain that is looped around a man’s neck as he kisses her under her chin. The headline for this section is “Frippery, Comedy and Tragedy.” The accompanying text begins, “At left, fashion’s material girl, designer Mary McFadden and her assistant Lazaro enact a number from Madonna’s ‘Erotica' at Tatou.” The occasion was a fundraiser for the Tamarand Foundation, an AIDS charity. Other names mentioned in the paragraph include Rip Torn, Rita Rudner, and Whoopi Goldberg (all featured in photographs). Richard Corkery is credited as the photographer of the image of McFadden and her assistant.
• Letter from Esther Coopersmith on Thailand
  This is an item from the Esther Coopersmith travel party trip to Thailand from November 25-December 1, 2001 for the Silk Festival with Her Majesty the Queen. Travel party includes Mary McFadden. This letter from Coopersmith comes on her official letterhead and states that pictures from the trip are included with the note. Coopersmith says she is awaiting dates for the 2002 Silk Festival and will be “thrilled” for McFadden to once again join. According to Library of Congress, Coopersmith served as a U.S. representative to the United Nations, 1973-80; advisor to the U.S. Commission to the United Nations Status of Women Commission in Vienna, Austria, from 1981 to 1993; U.S. President's Observer to UNESCO, 1999-2000). According to one New York Time’s article upon her death, Coopersmith was known for offering "A place at her dinner tables, which sat 75, provided access to networks of money, influence and power across cultural and political divides." This item accompanies others in this collection that include the proposed itinerary for the trip as well as a note from Coopersmith to McFadden regarding the trip and which carried these photos. This is also the trip from which the Thai Airline sickness bags with notes written by McFadden originate. The primary purpose of the trip seems to have been diplomatic, philanthropic, and leisurely.
• Notes From Thailand Trip on Airline Sickness Bags
  Two airline sickness bags from Thai Airlines International with notes written by Mary McFadden on the front and back sides. Notes appear to be drafted writing depicting events from a specific trip to Thailand where she met with “Her Majesty,” attended the Silk Festival, and viewed the Emerald Buddha Collection. McFadden describes feeling like “a President” with a police escort and describes losing $30,000 worth of dresses that were in lost luggage. This is an item from the Esther Coopersmith travel party trip to Thailand from November 25-December 1, 2001 for the Silk Festival with Her Majesty the Queen. The primary purpose of the trip seems to have been diplomatic, philanthropic, and leisurely.
• ‘Cute’ Note on Tracing Paper from Unknown
  Three page note written on translucent tracing paper in what appears to be red colored pencil for the majority and an indecipherable signature in orange colored pencil. The opening line reads, “I hope you don’t casually sling powerfull poems around.” This note appears to be from a suitor or potential suitor who goes onto write, “You are not the world to me ‘cute’ eh!?” This piece of ephemera was saved alongside personal photographs and cards.
• Handmade Card From Assistant Lazaro Arias
  Handmade card from Mary McFadden’s assistant Lazaro Arias as determined by the newspaper clipping featuring a photograph of McFadden and Arias. Craft paper and materials are used to create the item as well as hand drawn designs. The interior appears to say: "Gorgeous Happy Valentine’s 11 ’93” This date written and photo featured indicate the image was taken while Lazaro Arias was Mary McFadden’s assistant while in attendance of the Fashion Follies Cast Party on November 9, 1992 at the Supper Club in New York City (Getty). Despite the apparent Valentine’s message, context points November of 1992, though exact dates of delivery and creation are unknown.
• "Talking Timbuktu" Article Draft and Letter from Justine Harari for Penthouse Magazine
  This item consists of two components (letter and article draft) and three sheets total, typed and with handwritten signature from Justine Harari and line edits from Mary McFadden. Typed letter from (daughter) Justine to (mother) Mary thanking for a recent trip taken and asking for feedback on a draft of an article. The article is a draft for Penthouse entitled 'Talking Timbuktu' that details time spent in the African region.
• Mary McFadden Sketch Compilation
  This is a compilation of sketches and notes by Mary McFadden. This compilation shows the more casual approach to her creative process.
• Mary McFadden Sketch— "Pleated Chiffon Aubergine Cocktail Dress"
  This is a sketch created by Mary McFadden on her letterhead. While demonstrating the creative process, the sketch may have been made for publicity purposes and is found in the publicity papers of her archive.
• Mary McFadden Sketch— “Matisse Coat Over China Silk Pant”
  This is a sketch created by Mary McFadden on letterhead with her signature. While demonstrating the creative process, the sketch may have been made for publicity purposes and are found in publicity papers of her archive.
• Mary McFadden Sketch- Handbag design 4
  This item is a sketch from Mary McFadden’s 2000 handbag line. It includes mention of embroidery graphics to be used.
• Mary McFadden Sketch- Handbag design 3
  This item is a sketch from Mary McFadden’s 2000 handbag line. There includes a mention of Indian embroidery pattern “wheat and seeds.”
• Mary McFadden Sketch- Handbag design 2
  This item is a sketch from Mary McFadden’s 2000 handbag line. There includes mention of beading plaques to be sent from India.
• Mary McFadden Sketch— Handbag design 1
  This item is a sketch from Mary McFadden’s 2000 handbag line. There includes mention of what items to source for the bag’s hardware.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography— Mary McFadden and friend with local children and loom
  This posed photograph displays Mary McFadden and her travel companion with one local child. A loom and textile maker can also be seen in the background.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography— Travel companion of Mary McFadden and local children with textiles
  This posed photograph, likely taken by Mary McFadden, displays her travel companion with three local children who likely make the colorful textiles seen in the image.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography— Mary McFadden in busy marketplace
  This candid photograph displays a busy Latin American marketplace. It is filled primarily with women wearing very colorful textiles, as well as goods being sold. Mary McFadden can be seen in the background of the image, with her back towards the camera.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography- Man carrying bale of hay
  This candid photograph displays a man in the foreground carrying a large bale of hay. Other men, women, and children in colorful textiles are seen in the background and indicate the location is likely Latin America.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography — Woman with water jug
  This candid photograph from Mary McFadden’s travels displays a woman in a rural setting carrying a water jug on her back. The finding aid for Mary McFadden’s archive indicates that the setting may be either Ethiopia or Kenya.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography —Boy, Ethiopia or Kenya
  This candid photograph displays a young boy in a rural setting. The boy is in the foreground, and an unknown structure in the background. The finding aid for Mary McFadden’s archive indicates that the setting may be either Ethiopia or Kenya.
• Mary McFadden Travel Photography— Three women
  This candid photograph from Mary McFadden's travels displays three women in the shadows wearing black burkas and hijabs sitting outside on stone steps. The exact location of this image is unknown.
• Mary McFadden Travel photography— Locals outside of temple
  This candid photograph from Mary McFadden's travels depicts locals outside of a temple. The exact location is unknown.
• Print Photograph— Mary McFadden on Travel
  This photograph displays Mary McFadden at a travel destination, likely in the Mediterranean. She is holding a glass of wine and is portrayed in a white dress. It is unknown whether the garment is of her own design.
• Print Photograph— Mary McFadden examines textile swatch
  Famed fashion designer Mary McFadden is captured during her creative process, while examining textiles. While not a portrait, this slide also represents the image of a creative that Mary likely held of herself and wanted represented in the world. Alt Text: This color 35mm slide depicts Mary McFadden examining a green textile with other swatches.
• Print Photograph — Mary McFadden with Mary Sanford
  This photograph displays Mary McFadden with New York socialite Mary Sanford. Sandford was one of the high-society figures that McFadden associated with in New York City at the height of her career. McFadden is wearing one of her own designs at a formal event.