Woodmere is honored to announce a gift of more than 200 original garments and accessories by American designer Mary McFadden (1938-2024). Known for her patented “Marii” pleating, a heat-transfer process that set permanent pleats into synthetic fabric she envisioned as “liquid gold,” McFadden treated clothing as art, drawing on ancient civilizations, textiles, archaeology, and her travels around the world.

The collection includes standout pieces from her signature beaded evening gowns, silk separates, embellished tunics, quilted jackets and coats, and dramatic couture. The gift was made possible by John McFadden, the designer’s brother, with a significant portion of garments coming from Joan Olden, longtime president of Mary McFadden, Inc.

The collection also has deep Philadelphia roots, tied to the McFadden family’s legacy of collecting and their connection to the study of the ancient world. As John McFadden put it, the Lending Library at Woodmere lets Mary’s work “continue to be worn, explored, and appreciated rather than simply preserved.”