WHO DOES FLOWERS BETTER?

At Decades, we love us some fine floral prints. Now, not every blog reader feels like rocking a print. But it's nice to mix it up with a print, especially in a day-to-evening dress like the options listed below. But we ask, who's bouquet do you prefer: YSL's drop waist abstract roses, or, Ungaro's cut-out-back multi color on cream? Either way you go, you are destined to bring cheer into a room with these colorful 80s options.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche ruffle sleeve with low plunge and ruffle drop waist floral silk dress c 80s. SOLD

Emanuel Ungaro Parallele cream background silk short sleeve floral print day dress with cumberband wrap and back keyhole. Marked size 6, modern size 4 c 80s. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

THE ROYALE "OUI!"

Here is a sublime royal blue Porosus Crocodile 28 cm Hermes Kelly with gold hard ware from 2005. The original owner tells us she carried it twice. She did not keep the box and removed the plastic from the hardware, but it has its sleeper bag and rain cover. Missing a box, you will save around $2000 from current Hermes retail for this bag. Hermes does not use this color anymore, so it's extra special. And it's crocodile and the best type of croco Hermes uses, too. We have photographed the bag without a flash in somewhat natural light. The color is gorgeous....well it is called Royale Blue, n'est ce pas?



Hermes 28 cm crocodile "Royale Blue" Kelly bag 2005 excellent condition SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Russian Collection, Oscar Style

There are few fashion trends as frequently referenced as "Bohemian chic," that trite term which has come to encompass anything the least bit ethnic, earthy, or eclectic. Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga is at the forefront of its latest inception; for fall, he pairs ethnic scarf print blouses with his signature skinny pants and preppy blazers.

Devotees will trace this concept to its zenith in Yves Saint Laurent's iconic Russian Collection, which revolutionized fashion in the 1970s with ample embroidery, layers, voluminous sleeves, and fantastic textured prints. Oscar de la Renta summons those calling cards to great effect in this homage to Saint Laurent from the early 1980s. We especially love the first ensemble, pictured below, with texted velvet florals on a sheer silk peasant blouse. Also below is a paisley print ensemble carried by a plum blouse and a billowy, royal blue outfit with metallic multicolor polka dots. Appropriate for a size 4 to 6.


Oscar de la Renta Bohemian Ensemble with Velvet Florals and Lame Pattern Skirt, c. early 1980s SOLD


Oscar de la Renta Bohemian Ensemble with Plum Paisley Blouse and Skirt, c. early 1980s SOLD

Oscar de la Renta Bohemian Ensemble in Blue Silk Chiffon with Metallic Polkadot Pattern, c. early 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

HERMES FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM

Remember all the fuss about the new millennium? Everyone was freaking out about December 31st, 1999 causing huge computer meltdowns and ATMs not working. Well, our good old friends at Hermes remained steadfast in their focus and here is a millennium Birkin. Made in the year 2000. Classic 35 cm in tan/gold with gold hardware. The previous owner used it with love. We've shown some details of the bag like the corners that have some ware and the handle has a patina from use. We like to say this bag was lovingly broken-in by the previous owner. Expect to pay about the same price for this pre-owned Birkin as buying a brand new one at Hermes, but the truth is, it's not so easy to find a gold Birkin with gold hardware at Hermes and it's kind of nice that this bag isn't too "precious." You can carry it like a real pro!



Hermes 35cm gold hardware Birkin 2000, age and worn areas photographed SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Yves Saint Laurent Molotov Cocktails!

Think of these two Yves Saint Laurent cocktail dresses as the proverbial angel and devil on your shoulder. The ivory draped silk "goddess-y" dress is proper and pretty and dripping with Parisian sophistication (it is haute couture, after all!), an angelic creation if we've ever seen one. But we know that you, humble reader, can't be a good little girl all the time. Sometimes, you gotta vamp it up! The sheer silk layered minidress below is the perfect outfit for your hard-partying, hedonistic side---in fact, Decadestwo just received a Gucci minidress modeled after this bombshell by the master of hedonism himself, Tom Ford! Both pieces fit a contemporary size 4.

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Ivory One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress, c. 1980s.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sheer Black Minidress with Plunging Neckline, c. late 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

AH ALAIA AH HA

There is more to Alaia that short body conscious mini dresses. There are also long body conscious dresses like this full length number in a wonderful ink color. Our flash makes the dress look X-rated but the acetate knit really is matte when it's on your body, but without the flash, one can't see the iconic seaming of Alaia. It's marked a size medium and shown on our size 4 mannequin. It's a knit so it can accommodate a true size 6 or 8, too.

Sorry about the Xray photos...but it's a hot dress! We swear...


Alaia late 80s ink knit long sleeve full length dress. Marked size Medium SOLD

Attack of the Little Black Dress

If there's one thing you probably don't need, it's another little black dress, right? Well... tough luck. These stunning couture selections from Chanel and Pierre Balmain are some of the finest specimens we've ever seen--you must have them.

We love the modern cut and unusal vertical slits of this Pierre Balmain black wool crepe haute couture cocktail dress. Balmain is on the rise again--we recommend that readers check out contemporary selections from the Balmain Ivoire line (it's available at Ron Herman-Melrose here in LA). For something quintessentially chic, though, Chanel is the way to go. The grey linen dress pictured below isn't technically a little black dress, but the vibe is the same; what a classy way to flash some skin! LBD purists may prefer the other Chanel, a bias-cut V-neck in wool crepe with asymmetric buttons down the black and sheer triangular hem. Each dress fits a contemporary size 4.

Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Wool Crepe Dress with Vertical Slits, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Grey Linen Cocktail Dress with Sheer Tulle Panel, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Black Wool Crepe Cocktail Dress with Asymmetric Buttons and Sheer Paneled Hem, c. 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Get Bossy in Yves Saint Laurent

Hedge fund women of the world unite! We've scored you some haute Yves Saint Laurent suiting from the 1980s to bring out your inner Gordon Gekko. (All three pieces are haute couture, too, so you'll never have to worry about being another empty suit!)

The first ensemble is cut razor-thin in black silk faille--a totally irreverent fabric selection, but one that works when paired with oversized oval buttons and a smart waist belt. The grey wool suit with black satin trim and lapel pictured below it is completely versatile; we think it'd be swell for lunch at Michael's or your next Civil War reenactment (some lucky lady will make the sexiest Robert E. Lee we've ever seen!). Last, but certainly not least, channel your inner "Cherry Bomb" with a sexy red three-button wool suit (yes, Nancy Pelosi, we're looking at you...) All suits fit a contemporary size 4.

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Black Silk Faille Oval Button Suit, c. 1980s SOLD

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Grey Wool Suit with Black Satin Lapel and Trim, c. 1980s SOLD

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Red Wool Suit, c. 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre

Haute couture represents one of the most desirable pursuits for any fashionista. The recent passing of Gianfranco Ferre, who mastered the craft as creative director at Christian Dior, makes these gowns particularly relevant extremely collectable. The first is actually not a gown, but an evening ensemble: the black sleeveless top with an open back is actually a bodysuit worn beneath the rose colored tafetta skirt with dramatic train. The second dress also features an open back--formed this time by crossing shoulder straps--and a beautiful lace-trimmed slit in the side of the gown. Both pieces fit a contemporary size 4-6.

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre Evening Ensemble/Gown with Floral Detail, c. 1990 SOLD

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre Black Silk Chiffon Evening Gown with White Lace-Trimmed Slit, c. 1990.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil!

Decades recently discovered three Judith Leiber minaudieres in cute, cuddly animal shapes. The first, a tiny chimpanzee flashing a coquettish "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" pose, opens to two gold leather compartments large enough to hold all your evening essentials. No less fetching is the graceful duck, seen below, ornamented with crystal feather details. Of course, if duck doesn't whet your fashion appetite, our final acquisition will have you wide-eyed with delight! It's an owl with an ovular, etched gold head and oversize beak/eye detail. How can you go wrong?

Judith Leiber Gold Monkey Minaudiere Encrusted with Crystals, c. 1980s SOLD

Judith Leiber Gold Duck Minaudiere with Crystal Neck and Feather Detail, c. 1980s. SOLD

Judith Leiber Owl's Head Etched Gold Minaudiere with Oversize Beak and Crystal Eyes, c. 1980s SOLD

little h, little h

So we had our big Chanel bag and our little Chanel bag, but now we have two mini versions of classic Hermes bags: the Evelyne and the Constance. The Evelyne is light as a feather and perfect in white leather. We adore the Constance in metallic leather. We don't see a lot of metallic leather so this is pretty special from Hermes.
Hermes Evelyne stamped 2002 6 3/4 x 7 x 2 as it's white it shows some markings SOLD

Hermes mini metallic silver Constance stamped 2005 7 1/4 x 6 x 1 approx (exterior condition very good, flap covers two mildly discolored areas not visible) SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

BIG C little c

You got your big Chanel, you got your little Chanel. No matter how you like your Chanel (big or little), we know you like it in iconic quilted lambskin
Chanel navy over-sized quilted lambskin tote c 80s 15 x 3 c 12 inches...gently used SOLD

Chanel mini quilted white leather disco purse c early 80s 4 x 3 x 1 inches (it's white and has been gently used).SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Like Katie's dress? Here is a brown cocktail version

So you loved Katie's red full length version of the vintage James Galanos below and want it...well, that isn't going to happen. We have a feeling young Ms. Suri Cruise will be gifted a remarkable collection from her mom. This one IS available. It's a mid to late 80s chocolate brown chiffon pleated chiffon bustier dress in a cocktail version. The fabric is super airy and moves beautifully with your every step. It's around a contemporary size 4. We have several vintage James Galanos dresses to post so this last week of July will have plenty of goodies for you to consider.
James Galanos mid to late 80s pleated chiffon chocolate strapless cocktail dress. Approx size 4 SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Welcome to LA in LA's own James Galanos c late 80s

Our favorite client, Katie Holmes, got in right yet again last night at the "Welcome to Los Angeles" party in honor of David and Victoria Beckham. Katie chose this red pleated chiffon vintage James Galanos strapless gown from Decades in a yummy red, the color of the party. As readers will know, James Galanos is a Los Angeles design legend, so how extra appropriate to welcome the Beckham's to LA in something designed and made in Los Angeles, too. Sometimes our dresses don't even make it on the blog because our local regulars swoop up the latest arrivals before we can alert you! We do have this same dress in a chocolate brown cocktail version, from the same personal collection of a well-known fashion icon. Look for that and around 40 of her other gowns and dresses to be posted during the week. Brava Katie!