Pink Perfection

This Thierry Mugler gown is the perfect shade of pink, ballet pink. Mugler himself was a trained ballet dancer, and at the age of 14 joined the corps de ballet at the Rhine National Opera in Strasbourg, France. Who else could produce such a wonderful combination of ballet and couture besides a trained ballet dancer/couturier? No one, that's who! If you are, were, or know a ballerina, this is the perfect gown! There are several reasons we say this 1) It is Ballerina pink and satin 2) It would make a beautiful non-traditional wedding gown 3) It is BALLERINA PINK! 4) If you are attending anything involving ABT or NYC Ballet, this gown will turn heads. Essentially the gown is a corseted wrap dress with ruching at the bust and around the back. In true Mugler fashion, the right bust is higher than the left (purposely), also there are snaps and hook-eyes everywhere. Though this can make getting in and out a tad cumbersome, at least you know you won't fall out of it. The rib cage is rather tight on this gown but there is adequate room in the hips and thighs.

Thierry Mugler ballet pink corseted wrap gown, c.early 90's. Marked size 36, contemporary size small 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.

Pre-Insolvency

If have not yet heard that Christian Lacroix has filed for bankruptcy, now you have. The House will remain open through proceedings, but no one is sure what the end result will be. Here at Decades we are sad to hear that Christian has fallen on hard times, and we hope a positive outcome will prevail for he and all employed under the label. That being said, the cuff below is now Pre-Insolvency and gorgeous. There are hundreds of little rounded-tip gold spikes coming off of the main portion. This is a solid metal cuff, and could probably be used as a weapon if need be. Its always nice to have an item that serves two purposes combining for and function perfectly. In this piece you get not only a wrist adornment, but also protection.

Christian Lacroix gold solid metal cuff with rounded spikes, late 80's. 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.

DON'T SHOOT!

Anyone who lives in a major metropolis knows its a Jungle out There! Perhaps, back in 1968, Yves Saint Laurent recognized the dangers of city dwelling when he designed one of his most memorable looks, the Safari. Of course, the Safari has only further been enhanced by the brilliant photo of Veruschka shot by Franco Rubartelli and featured in the current Costume Institute exhibition, The Model as Muse, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. We haven't given our blog readers a Decades 101 exam in awhile, but let's give you a cheat sheet: this is an original YSL Rive Gauche safari from 1968 and if you want to get an "A" in Decades 101, we only hope you end up with this icon in your closet and on your body. Question: Why do you need this original safari in your closet? It's a rhetorical question. End of Test.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche original safari, 1968. Modern 4 (petite length sleeve). 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.

Party Time

If you need a little color in your life, Chanel has come to the rescue. The first cuff in this post is a gold material that has been embedded with a myriad of stones, beads and crystals (we count 38). Each of the pieces is different from the next in size, shape, and color. If you want a party on your wrist this is the closest you will ever get. Simply put, everyone that has seen this cuff gasped (in a good way) and reached for it. We have never seen anything like it before and doubt that we ever will again. The second cuff is hammered gold with Griproix poured glass stones. The edges of the cuff have a byzantine cut out pattern (epitomic of Chanel). There are three large green stones, one in the center of the cuff and one on either end. Scattered throughout the rest of the piece are small green, blue, orange, purple and pink stones.

Chanel gold cuff with multi color beads, crystals and stones, c.1980's. 9" around with a 1" opening.SOLD

Chanel gold byzantine cuff with multicolor Griproix poured glass stones, 1994. 8" around with a 1" opening. 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.

NOT MADE FROM HOG!

Here are two Chanel bags from the late 1980s that might be great with the hog friendly Chanel jewelry we posted earlier, but don't hog all the Chanel...these are delicious additions to any fashion lover's collection and we need to share them with the Friends of Decades all around the world.

Let's begin with the blush pink smooth leather shoulder bag that may be a lighter shade of Barbie, but sure means business as this is a yummy combo of form and function. This bag has an outside large envelope pocket and a center zippered compartment that is sandwiched by two other wide gusset compartments. You can put your I-Phone or BlackBerry (our preference) in the outside envelope. Your wallet is safe in the zippered center. As for the two gusset compartments, throw your make-up on one side and a paperback in the other, and you have all your necessities on your shoulder in one chic package.

As for the caramel Chanel quilted tote, do we really need to say much more than Buy It? It's so classic and the right size for all the right things. Both bags have been reconditioned.

Chanel blush pink smooth leather shoulder bag, c. late 1980s. 4 x 9 1/2 x 13 SOLD

Chanel caramel quilted leather classic shoulder tote, c. late 1980s. 4 x 10 x 15 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.

Straddle that HOG!

In 1991 Chanel released the motorcycle collection to the world. Today we post two stunning pieces from that collection, both of them for the wrist. The first cuff is a layered series of five gold link chain sections, woven with strips of black leather. Beginning at the center is a large chain, then two medium size chains, and two small chains on the outer perimeter. The chains are stacked so the cuff has a pyramid shape. In the photo above, the cuff can be seen on the wrist of Helena Christensen (in yellow). The second cuff is a single large gold chain cuff, also with black leather strip weaving. On each link is a single griproix poured glass pearl dangling from one side. The pearls alternate sides at every link providing a perfectly balanced cuff. One side of the cuff is adorned with circular pearls, the other with teardrop pearls.

Chanel gold link and black leather cuff, c.1991. 9" around with 1" opening SOLD

Chanel gold link and black leather cuff, c.1991. 7" around with 1" opening 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.

TO DYE FOR

Halston and tye-dye go hand-in-hand, literally. This early 1970s hand painted chiffon bell sleeve "caftan" inspired dress is in shades of grey, light lilac, yellow, sky blue, lime, and soft pink. We may have missed a color, but these things do happen when being seduced by a Halston that beckons you to St. Tropez, on a yacht, with a champagne flute in your hand, barefoot...get the picture? The dress has a cream jersey attached tank slip which keeps you from giving a peep show and gives the dress more depth than just being a "beach cover up." It wouldn't be ridiculous to wear this to a summer black tie with some bold tribal jewelry, but we love it just as much pool-side in the 'Bu for a BBQ, too.

Halston hand dyed chiffon bell sleeve caftan dress with attached cream jersey slip, c. early 1970s. Modern 4 to 8 (very flexible sizing). Minor color fading. 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.

LEMONADE

Ah, summer. The first day is June 21st, but don't wait till then to wear this delectable lemon concoction by Loris Azzaro. When the heat is on, the lemonade stands come to your street corners, but if you really want to "aid" someone and quench a different type of thirst, throw on this signature metallic lurex knit and yellow jersey empire waist dress. This trumps any "Hot Dog on a Stick" Muscle Beach Lemonade. So many reasons why we love this dress: The color is tangy; the dress is summer travel friendly (it's light as a feather); the cut is incredibly flattering (hello, empire waist!); the dress can be worn high-octane glam with big Capri-purchased jewels and Louboutins, or, dress her down with a pair of Havaianas and a ponytail. The metallic lurex knit is a signature of Monsieur Azzaro. Initially developed for Tina Turner and worn by Brigette Bardot in the late 1960s, this technique is iconic by Azzaro, who we refer to as the French Halston. This dress may be bright and happy, but it loves the night life, too!

Loris Azzaro empire waist metallic lurex knit and lemon jersey gown, c. early 1970s. Modern 4 to 6. (minor hem stains from previous owner's fun and frivolity) 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.

Woven Wonder

This dress from Holly Harp is all about the fabric. It is a lightweight woven silk with grey and red contrasting threads. The pattern woven into the material is an elaborate nature motif complete with birds, leaves, flowers and clouds. Gorgeous in person and very difficult to describe via blog, this one is not to be missed. The construction is elegant and interesting without being overwhelming. There is an attached capelet that ties at the bust. The hemline opens into a seductive slit at the knee. The material is cut on the bias so it has a fair amount of give where you need it. This is a piece for a collector or someone who has cultivated an appreciation for fine, antique fabric.

Holly Harp antique fabric red and grey dress with bird theme, c.late 60's. Contemporary 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.