MADEMOISELLE IN CHIFFON

When Lagerfeld took all the fashion elite to New York's train station to present his 2007 cruise collection, Mademoiselle Coco would have been proud of the inspired spectacle. Lace twinset in black and demure cream paraded along cropped tweed jackets and wide-leg denim overalls.

The finale look was this dramatic black chiffon gown accessorized in Chanel's beloved chain belt. It is truly a dress for a Chanel women. The airy chiffon, the circular pleats beautifully tied in the back will make you feel like a Chanel gift ready to be unravelled. The dress is in pristine condition and is marked size 44.

-Eri

Chanel chiffon gown in black, Cruise Collection 2007. Marked size 44.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing.

ON THE ROCKS

If you've been thinking about statement jewelry, and frankly, who hasn't been on the hunt for a necklace that's so big it hangs to your knees, you might seriously consider picking up a few Kazuko pieces. They make a statement, a big statement that says, "SUGOI"! (Trans. "Wow"! We'll get back to that a lil' later).

Just who was Kazuko?
a) A New York nightlife fixture
b) A new age fairy draped in monochromatic robes who's bangles and baubles also possessed healing properties
c) A Fullbright scholar
d) All of the above

Answer: D. Duh.

Born in Tokyo in 1942, Kazuko (One name. Think Madonna.) came to the states in her early 20s. A true Renaissance woman, she studied drama at NYU, made video art and shot photography, as well narrated documentaries on her native Japan. Upon her arrival in New York, she was immediately ensconced in the city's Downtown art scene.

Legend has it that while walking past Barney's one day, she saw Barney's window crew setting up a display that featured a baroque 18th-century-inspired dress courtesy of the Emanuel's (Lady Di's wedding dress designers). Kazuko remarked to the artist-in-charge that she like the display but felt that it lacked, you guessed it, Sugoi! From the folds of her black wrapped Yohji Yamamoto ensemble, she produced a hand-sewn veil onto which she had painstakingly applied crystals. The artist encouraged Kazuko to strike out as a jewelry designer and an accessories career was born.

Kazuko made a name for herself with her bangles and baubles which featured organic shapes and a rough-hewn aesthetic with large semi-precious stones "strung" together that Kazuko called "All-in-one Healing Structures". Her pieces were adored by the members of the Studio 54 set, often donning the necks, wrists and ears of nightlife fixtures such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Bianca Jagger. She also made Madonna's veil for her "Like a Virgin" video.

Wild, wonderful, kooky and creative, Kazuko was known for her persona as much for her fantastic creations. A monochromatic dresser, Kazuko abandoned her all-black looks, claiming that they were giving her "Nun's syndrome". She then switched to all-white hues instead. She believed that her canary Bobi tweeted suggestions on what to wear every morning. She believed she had psychic powers and that by holding her hands in front of someone's stomach, she could release their bad energy. A true innovator that applied her creativity to everything that entered her life, she even viewed that esophageal cancer that eventually claimed her life as an "art project".

She often manned the two counters at Barney's that showcased her wares. She also never stopped acting; you can see her in a bit-part in "Six Degrees of Seperation" and she also understudied for Hervé Villechaise (Tattoo on Fantasy Island) at the renowned avant-garde theatre La Mama. As Hervé's role was a non-speaking part, he often didn't bother to show up for performances, leaving Kazuko to fill his shoes. She performed so often, that allegedly, the cast often joked that she was the hardest working understudy in the business.

Sadly, this visionary passed in 2007 at the age of 65. Personally, I've been obsessed with her creations for years. The word unique is used all too often in fashion, but Kazuko's pieces, which have always looked to me like relics from a future era, are truly unparalled in their singularity. And, while I may not be an authority on the metaphysical, I often hold a Kazuko crystal wrapped in gold wire to my temples and solar plexus when I have a migraine and I swear, the headaches are zapped away. Take that Imitrex.

So, I was thrilled when they online team suggested posting all Kazuko creations for Friday's Steppin' Out selection, I was thrilled. They picked necklaces, charms, earrings and bracelets that not only will bump up your Sugoi factor in a major way, but just may unblock your chi faster than a series at the acupuncturist. Of course, I recognize that that sounds like SoCal speak, but if you wear Kazuko and notice negative aspects of your mysteriously disappearing, you and I'll both know why.

Oh and a little fashion trivia, that window artist at Barney's who pushed Kazuko into becoming a designer? You just may have heard of him. Does the name Simon Doonan sound familiar?

Click here to shop Kazkuo gems now!

--Lizzy

GET SPRINGY WITH IT

Well, we're mid-way through March, which means that April is shortly upon us, which means that Spring is officially here. We've moved the clocks back; it's lighter for longer and warmer day by day. I can feel the luxurious sun on my face as I write this (kind of, my window actually looks out onto a covered courtyard, but work with me).

Warmer weather means it's time to put away those chunky dark knits and break out the bold, bright hues as well as flirty dresses that show a little skin. So, the online team picked their favorite Spring dresses and just posted them online today.

And of course, they picked pretty pieces from the likes of Missoni, Balenciaga, and Chloe in Spring colors such as Creams, Greens and Marines. Personally, I've got my eye on a sky colored Herve Leger number. Now, it's just time to get out in the sun and work out in the sun so it will fit.

--Lizzy

FOG CITY FASHION

Well, we're on the road again. The road to San Francisco. We're so excited to bring the best of Hollywood glam to our neighbors in the north. As per the usual, we'll be hanging exquisite vintage and modern fashion treasures on our temporary racks BUT we're also bringing a specially curated group of Jean Paul Gaultier pieces from the past to the present, hand-picked by Decades co-owners Cameron Silver and Christos Garkinos, to celebrate the designers upcoming museum exhibit in SF. I posted a few pics of the goodies up for grabs below to whet your shopping appetites. Want to see more? Check out an expanded preview here.

Sadly, we'll be in San Francisco for one day only: tomorrow, March 16th. So, you know you'll be kicking it with us manana. And don't worry if you're a M-F worker bee. We'll be showcasing our wares from 1oam - 9pm at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, so you'll have more than enough time to swing by the trunk show after work and before drinks with the girls. Heck, you might even throw on your new Decades gear to paint the town red. TGIF, no?

--Lizzy

DECADES TRUNK SHOW
The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins
One Nob Hill - The California Suite, 18th FL
from 10am - 9pm


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EXTRA, EXTRA, WATCH ALL ABOUT IT ...

MODEL BAG

This just in, a fabulous Hermes Macpherson bag in green ostrich leather. This bag wasoriginally called the sac Malette, but was renamed in honor of Ms. Elle Macpherson. The top portion is a classic double handle zip top soft bag with optional shoulder strap. The bottom is a rectangular hard case with two gold H closures. Essentially the perfect travel case! You can keep a change of clothes in the top and makeup/jewelry in the bottom ( tres jet set chic). The bag has never been used and comes in its original sleeper bag.



Hermes Macpherson in green ostrich leather with gold hardware, 2003. Measures 34cm

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing.

YOU'LL REALLY GET A KICK OUT OF THESE ...

Models wearing Biba from Decades collection and Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Models wearing Biba from Decades collection and Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Models wearing Biba from Decades collection and Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Garcelle Beauvais wearing Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Lisa Rinna wearing Biba dress from Decades collection and Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Ashley Madekwe wearing Decades for Modern Vintage shoes

Cameron Silver and Christos Garkinos of Decades

Last night, we held a wee soirée (and by wee, we mean oh, 200 of our nearest and dearest) along with the ever-stylish Gilt Groupe, to toast the debut of our new shoe collection, designed in tandem with Modern Vintage. And not to toot our own horn, but the shoes themselves are so gorgeous, they are guaranteed to knock any serious shoe fetishist's socks right off (and into these heels). Considering our fashion forté, Cameron Silver et al. imbued each shoe with the style of a specific decade, from the chic curved heel of the 50s to the downtown glam of a tiered wedge in the 80s.

At the party, LA's luminatti, including a bevy of beauties such as Ashley Madekwe, Lisa Rinna, and Garcelle Beauvais, showed in groves to peep the preview of the collection and sip couture cocktails courtesy of Svedka, with each specialty elixir also mixed with the spirit of one of our chosen decades as well as a top-shelf Svedka infused vodka as well as Activate vitamin beverages for the teetotalers, and peruse a rotating fashion show of models decked to the nines in our singular Biba collection (keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Decades Biba blog posts on the recently acquired spectacular pieces) and of course, the Decades for Modern Vintage Shoes.

I myself was partial to the 70s--I went for the Svedka 70s moonshine as well as the black and gold braided cork pump. You know you're having a good time when your entire look from head to toe to glass are perfect for a Ron Gallela photograph.

All in all, the night was exquisite, the company was lovely (both inside and out), the drinks were delicious and the shoes stood apart from the rest of your everyday foot candy. Not surprising. These kicks are truly sweet indeed.

To preview in greater detail and/or get more information about the Decades for Modern Vintage Shoe collection, click here. Of course, you can also pick up a pair or twelve, on Gilt.

--Lizzy

FUR REAL, GURLFRIEND

I don't know about you guys, but I'm kind of sick about hearing the qualifier "fashion must-have" next to something I need like a hole in my head, say a cropped neon pink fur and feather jumpsuit or orange vinyl leggings or for that matter any kind of jegging. Sigh. Remember when jeans were jeans and leggings were leggings?

Not that there's anything wrong with wanting to wear a fuschia and chartreuse sweatshirt that zips up into a hooded face mask with a cobalt lucite harness. It's just that those types of things are not essential. Believe me. You will get way more mileage out of a classic trench, a white button down, and/or a grey cardigan hand knit in the softest cashmere than a hat made out of crustaceans.

But I will say that the crazy kinds of clothes--the ones that might have Anna Dello Russo's approval--those are the things that make fashion fun. If you can't infuse humor into your dressing, you're not going to have a good time when you get out of the shower and stand in front of your closet. Fashion has an amazing ability: the potential to transform. And it does that through the fantasy it can offer, as well as the reality it provides. After all, you do need clothes. I mean, you might get busted for wearing your birthday suit to the bank, depending on where you live.

So, I'm not going to waste your time by trying to explain why you need an Hermès mink blanket. But what I am going to do is suggest, that in addition to evoking glamour and luxury, this baby will definitely lend itself to building a little fantasy in your home life. Think about stretching out over this baby at the end of a hard day, the delicious juxtaposition of folding it over your case-study couch, heck, why not even call your mate and tell them you two are up for a round of playing Ski-Lodge in the Alps" while kicking it fireside one cozy winter eve? I suggest wearing a pair of lederhosen and not much else. Now, that's a fashion fantasy, girlfriend.

--Lizzy

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, SUI GENERIS

"I've got a 600-year-old elm tree in my garden, and I made up this story of a girl who lives in it and comes out of the darkness to meet a prince and become a queen." This was Alexander McQueen explaining his inspiration for his Fall 2008 exquisite collection. There is no doubt that Alexander McQueen was a genius. His 2008 collection was the transition from confined, uptight and obscure pieces to more feminine and light. The collection was a wonder in the visual sense, the craftsmanship and for the first time wearability. The news of Alexander McQueen's death in 2010 was devastating because he is responsible for producing some of the most beautiful and shocking images in the history of fashion. Fortunately for all of us, his admirers, we can find consolation on the body of work he left behind. The dress here is an iconic piece and expresses the designer's romantic side. McQueen would have wanted you to dance around like a dark haunted Barbie doll.

-Eri

Alexander McQueen black tulle dress with full skirt and corset bustier, Fall 2008. Marked size 42.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing.

THE LAST QUEEN OF PARIS

It was only natural that the International Best Dressed Woman in the world would start making clothes to dress other women. Jacqueline de Ribes was the muse of Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. She was very elegant with a long neck and knew how to make an entrance. Because she was of aristocracy descent and not encouraged to have a job, her dream of having her own salon came true when she was well in her fifties. And thank god she did. She captured very beautifully the quintessence of Parisian elegance. Her clothes are glamourous and feminine. Romance is the theme in both these two very different dresses that we have for you.

The black cocktail dress with ruffles would be the perfect LBD on a woman with short hair and a cool attitude. De Ribes always wanted to dress the anti-sexy woman, someone who is astonishing without creating astonishment. But without wanting it, Jacqueline de Ribes created amazing pieces like this stunning pomegranate red gown, off the shoulder very similar to her own dress she wore in this iconic photo of hers. You'd be smart to trust her.

-Eri

Jacqueline de Ribes pomegranate red chiffon evening gown off the shoulder with rose detail, c.1980's. Modern size 4.

Jacqueline de Ribes black chiffon short cocktail dress with horsehair ruffles, c.1980's. Modern size 4.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing.

GILT TRIP

All our bags are packed and we're ready to go . . . to San Francisco. March 16th aka Fog City Friday, we'll be setting up shop in the International Mark Hopkins Hotel at One Nob Hill, the California Suite, 18th Fl., from 10a - 9p. Of course, we're bringing along a treasure trove of vintage and modern fashion finds, but we're also packing some serious staples created by one Monsieur Jean Paul Gaultier, hand-curated by Cameron Silver and Christos Garkinos to celebrate the designer's upcoming museum exhibit.

As I'm sure all you San Francisco fashion-lovers know, Jean Paul Gaultier's traveling retrospective, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, will open at the end of March at the deYoung Museum. So, should you want to look gorgeous in Gaultier for the opening of the exhibit, we'll be in town next week to help you get dressed in the best from the iconic French designer.

And last but not least, we saddled up with our friends at Gilt City San Francisco and just launched an offer for the trunk show that includes more than a few deals and steals. Can't make the trunk show? Not to worry. There are packages that can be used in our L.A. boutique or on our website through June 7, 2012. Pretty sweet, no?

--Lizzy

MACKIE ISN'T JUST FOR CHER

The Oscars may have come and gone without a Cher-in-Bob Mackie-moment, but we can still deliver to you some over-the-top glam by maestro Mackie. However, this may be a bit too conservative for Cher, but inside every Decades Diva is an inner-Cher so let her out and shimmy in this rainbow striped icicle Bob Mackie design that is red carpet ready. With strong shoulders and an elongating Missoni-esque pyramid placed striped silhouette, this dress is both body conscious without revealing too much information. That's what I call sexy, modern, and super festive!



Bob Mackie pastel stripe and silver icicle gown with beading. c.1980's Marked size 6, modern size 4
For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

MOLTO MARNI

I believe it was Madonna who once proposed that "Beauty is where you find it; not just where you bump and grind it." The same, obviously, applies to sex appeal. While a gal can certainly have fun playing the vamp, scooching into her tightest Leger and her tallest Louboutins, exposing your entire neighborhood isn't always the fastest nor the best route to express your self. And, while it may seem clichéd, sexy really is a matter of confidence. If you're slouching in that Leger or stumbling on those Kirkwoods, you could wind up looking more silly than spicy.

I know that most people don't usually equate Marni with a come-hither vibe but on the eve of their upcoming collab with H&M, I started to try and pinpoint exactly what has made the brand stand-out since its debut in 1994 and the Marni girl definitely boasts an allure that's all her own, though it's not your typical lift-and-separate seduction.

Marni's aesthetic has a definite boho vibe, but it's not a sleep-in-my-Airstream-surfer-kinda-look. It's a Paris in the 20s and 30s arts and craftsy sorta thing. Think Djuna Barnes or Slim Keith meets Georgia O-Keefe. The clothes, which often sport a sculptural bend, also tend to boast bold color blocking (hello trend of 2011-2012), wild watercolors, and mis-matching is the new matching aesthetic. Think prints with plaids and maybe paisleys. Why the heck not? The rules with Marni is that you make your own.

And, whenever I put on Marni, the colors, the draping, the special luxury detailing such as hidden feminine ruching, grosgrain trim, lucite plaquettes, it makes me feel as if I'm off to chat with Picasso at Gertrude Stein's on the Rue de Fleurus or meeting with Man Ray to collaborate on a photo series. But of course I can do these things, pouf. And then I straighten my shoulders, smile my biggest smile and walk like I own Micheltorena. And, in my opinion, this kind of attitude conveys poise, precociousness and yes, sexiness. Because if you strut like you got it, it only makes 'em wonder what you've got going on underneath, if you catch my drift.

--Lizzy

Shop a curated collection of Marni looks, just posted on our website now!

THINK MINK

This is the time of year when transitional clothing because very necessary no matter where you live. In Los Angeles it is in the 80s today, but the 50s tomorrow. NYC has had touches of spring weather then return to winter cold. Global warming complicates a wardrobe but Decades has solutions like this Bonwit Teller cream brocade coat with mink collar and cuff from the 1950s. This is what I affectionately call a party coat. It's great over a party dress, but terribly chic worn in the day with a high waist pant or jean and a silk-cashmere blend sweater. I love the feminine length of the bracelet sleeves...perfect with gloves (if feeling traditional) and just as chic with a bare arm. Marni has re-interpreted this silhouette season after season in their current collections, so why not go for the original inspiration?
Follow me @CameronDecades





Bonwit Teller cream brocade coat with mink trim and collar, c. 1960s. Modern 6 to 10 For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.