BILL BLASS IN BLACK AND WHITE

We have had a literal ball going through the Park Avenue closets (yes, closets, we believe seven closets in the Park Avenue "crib" and lots more stored in the Southampton estate) of one of New York City's best dressed social figures of the 1980s, and 1990s, and today. A muse of both the late great Bill Blass and a great patron of Oscar de la Renta, this particular WWD featured favorite has accumulated a stellar collection of straight-off-the-runway Blass and Oscar samples.

The Blass dress below is an example of Bill Blass's refined elegance and a reminder of why so many bold names turned to Mr. Blass for his impeccable designs. A voluminous sheath or layered white organza with varying width strips of Chantilly black lace this gown is like a time-capsule. One wouldn't be surprised if you send it was designed in the 1940s or 1950s, but it is a Bill Blass design from the 1980s. Yet, there is nothing particularly "retro" about the design -- it's timeless and seasonless. It's what one should wear to a black and white ball. Truman Capote would approve!

Bill Blass lined cream organza with black Chantilly lace panels ball gown, c 1980s. Marked size 6, Modern 4 SOLD

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.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CURRY FAVOR DECADES TO BUY A BIRKIN!

The notion of curry favoring to buy a Hermes Birkin sounds insane, but we have seen it happen. Well, no need to curry favor anyone when shopping at Decades, where we not only can offer you authentic Hermes bags, but we have an actual curry colored 40 cm Clemence leather Birkin that is ready to go! This season-less color matches everything and is a great alternative to the traditional gold and tan hues usually produced. From 2006, the owner removed the plastic from the hardware, but never used the bag. It looks gorgeous in fall shades of brown and rust and will take you into spring when paired with a crisp all-white ensemble.

Hermes 40 cm Birkin in Curry Clemence leather, J stamp 2006. Palladium Hardware. Plastic removed from hardware, no box. Previous owner NEVER carried bag and it is unused. SOLD
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.

Straight off the Runway

Fresh from the closet of one of New York's most fashionable women, we have this Oscar de la Renta RUNWAY SAMPLE. The top is a pink satin bustier construction, with shawl. The bottom is several layers of black tulle accented with copper paillets in a descending line pattern. This look is a three piece ensemble, top, skirt and shawl. There was one owner, and she purchased the gown straight off the runway at a de la Renta show in the early 1980's, and it is in impeccable condition.

Oscar de la Renta pink satin and black tulle ball gown with copper paillets, c.1980's. Contemporary size 4SOLD

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.

Geoffrey Beene Book

Decades is thrilled to announce that a dear friend of the store Kim Hastreiter has written an amazing book on Geoffrey Beene. For a limited time only, we are offering personally signed copies by the author. The book is $40 + tax (CA only) and shipping. To receive a signed copy we need to have the order by Monday, November 3rd. To order your signed copy of the book please contact us at
(323)655-0223 or via email, info@decadesinc.com

SHOWGIRL BLING

Decades is thrilled to announce a lot of three amazing Austrian crystal earrings, all in amazing condition. First in the lot is a clear crystal cascade earring with two strands of crystals dropping from a central large crystal. Second, is a pair of double teardrop earrings also done in clear crystals. The second and largest drop in this pair is articulated at four points and display a lovely movement when worn. Both of these earring pairs are by an anonymous designer from the 1950's. The last pair in the lot is a gold, bi-polar, triangular explosive pattern of rectangular Austrian crystals covered with a lovely gold film. The gold earrings were crated by three sisters who own a jewelery company called Sorrelli, the stamp is on the back of both earrings.

Anonymous clear crystal earrings, c.1950's. 3 1/2" long. SOLD

Anonymous clear crystal double teardrop earrings, c.1950's. 3 1/4" long. SOLD

Sorrelli gold and crystal bi-polar triangle explosive earrings, c.1980's. 4" long SOLD

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.

PUCCI TREASURE CHEST

What will you keep in this 1960s Emilio Pucci treasure chest velvet print handbag? Perhaps, it will hold your BlackBerry and bail money? Maybe, you will prefer to keep this on your night stand and it will hold your jewels of the day? Fortunately, the previous owner of this bag was very gentle with it and after nearly 50 years, it is still in extremely good condition. We did notice one pin-point stain, but it truly is quite formidable for a literal treasure chest that is nearly a half-century old. Everything one buys at Decades is truly a treasure when one contemplates it. This just happens to be a literal treasure chest!

Emilio Pucci signature print on velvet treasure chest handbag, c early 1960s. 5 1/2 " high; 5" long; 3 1/2 wide; and 8" when handle is extended up. SOLD

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.

CUT IT OUT!

How much do you love this dress? It's Ferdinand Sarmi from 1971 in black silk crepe with satin piping. The cut-out requires your "Powerhouse" (Pilates-addicts will understand) to be in fine form and the one shoulder is a great play against the asymmetric cut out at the midriff. This is a dress for a certain woman who has the right body bare to wear this architecturally streamlined design. Usually our Sarmi pieces are more 1960s looking, so this one is a nice alternative to the traditional vintage Sarmi pieces we have sold at Decades since opening in 1997. The original owner of this dress was a great friend of Mr. Sarmi.

Ferdinand Sarmi one-shoulder asymmetric cut out black evening dress with satin piping, 1971. Modern size 4 SOLD

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.

Pull those pants up . . .

with these Hermes constance belts from the early 70's. We have navy, red, and chocolate, all three with the classic gold H double prong buckle that was produced in during the era. Another feature ubiquitous with the 70's is the width of the leather straps, they are thin compared to the ones being produced now, only 1" wide. Own a piece of Hermes history, purchase one of these amazing belts.

Hermes Navy and gold leather constance belt, c.1970's. Size 31" or 78cm leather strip tip to tip. SOLD

Hermes Red and gold leather constance belt, c.1970's. Size 31" or 78cm leather strip tip to tip. SOLD

Hermes black and gold leather constance belt, c.1970's. Size 31" or 78cm leather strip tip to tip. SOLD
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.

WHAT-A-BIRKIN

Here is a very unusual Hermes 35 cm brown chocolate Birkin with palladium hardware from 2006. It's unusual because it's a special order, trimmed in red (rouge garance) leather, and lined in red leather too! It is pre-owned, but appears to hardly have been used. It comes in the box. And it's amazing! The contrast between the two colors is not obscene, just enough to catch the passing glance of someone with a discriminating eye. This bag is guaranteed to turn the heads of those in the know. This will not be in the store for very long, I doubt it will last until tomorrow.

Hermes special order chocolate Togo leather Birkin with rouge garance leather piping and lining. J Stamp 2006. Appears unused, no box. SOLD

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.

Q FOR U

Who doesn't love a classic 28 cm Gold Epsom leather Hermes Kelly bag? This one is Q stamp for 1987....scary to think that 1987 is 21 years ago! If you are looking for a pre-owned Kelly bag with a little of that "just-worn-in-the-right-way" age, this is your bag. Plus this vintage bag is around half the price of buying a brand new on at the Hermes boutique!

Hermes Kelly 28 cm Gold Epsom leather, Q Stamp 1987. Pre-owned, gentle vintage condition. SOLD

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.

GUCCI VINO

For those of you that need a little MOD in your life, we have an amazing 1960's Merlot colored sued Gucci coat. There are six Merlot colored buttons stretching from the neckline to the waist on the left side of the coat. Also, at the waist there is an attached belt with two classic GG logo buckles, one on either side.

Gucci Merlot suede coat with gold GG waist belt, c.1960's. Contemporary size 4-6.SOLD

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.

HOWL FOR THE COWL

Now that the temperatures have dropped, velvet is the go-to fabric to keep you warm while the social scene goes into full force. Valentino has been a dependable and beloved designer of so many well-dressed women over the Decades. Although the Master has retired, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to share with you great examples of his designs. This particular cowl neck velvet gown below may not be Haute Couture, but it certainly features hallmarks of the Art. The cut is a wonderful use of a cowl neck and a cowl back. We are always fond of dresses with surprising and unexpected backs. The illusion of the sheer chiffon top is intricately patterned with jet black pailettes and sequins. The large black jet buttons running down the left side of the gown offer another taste of luxury in a Boutique gown. We think you will howl for the cowl over this dignified and classy gown. Plus, it will keep you warm!

Valentino Boutique black velvet cowl neck gown, c. 1980s. Marked size 12, modern size 6 SOLD

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.