Mary McFadden[1] (October 1, 1938 – September 13, 2024) was an American art collector, editor, fashion designer, and writer.

[2][3] McFadden was born on October 1, 1938, in Manhattan, New York, and spent the early part of her childhood on a cotton plantation outside Memphis, Tennessee.

Since she knew nothing about publicity, she made an agreement that she would be paid in the form of 50 dresses per year from Dior-New York and Dior-Paris instead of money.

[5] The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute curator Harold Koda deemed her a "design archaeologist" for her historically inspired work.

[10][7] Mary McFadden died from myelodysplasia at her home in Southampton, New York, on September 13, 2024, at the age of 85.