87 was a good year

From our amazing Uber collection of Yves Saint Laurent jewelry comes a great crystal and wood set. Ebony wood disks are set against square Swarovski crystals give this pair of earrings and bracelets a dramatic look.

"Saint Laurent loves a surprise. These earrings from the front show only the ebony disks. The crystals are in the back = Sexy Surprise!"

YSL Rive Gauche ebony and Swarovski crystal Paris runway sample earrings, Fall/Winter 1987 SOLD

YSL Rive Gauche ebony and Swarovski crystal Paris runway sample bracelet, Fall/Winter 1987

YSL Rive Gauche ebony and Swarovski crystal Paris runway sample bracelet, Fall/Winter 1987

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.

NOW THAT'S WHAT WE CALL EMBROIDERY

Today, the House of Balmain has a way with embroidery and Swarovski crystals in a very rock 'n roll and military-themed aesthetic that has won the hearts and pocketbooks of flashy fashion fanatics. But embroidery and Pierre Balmain go way back, including his popular 50s ball gowns and wedding dresses that were very Dior-esque, and ultimately in the 1960s, Monsieur Balmain found bright colors, minimalist silhouettes, and intricate Lesage embroidery to create a very signature look that was a French Haute Couture version of First Lady Jackie Kennedy's signature wardrobe. Although we sold the white A-line column gazar gown a few weeks ago, we have a few more precious Balmain gowns from the late 60s to share and this apricot layered chiffon skirted gown has an elaborate top of hand embroidery in colors ranging from brown (in the shape of wood beads), peach, white, lilac and diamond crystals. The textures and color combinations are intoxicating and the fluidity of the skirt juxtaposed with the ornate top creates a striking balance of modernity and the highest levels of artisan fabric and fashion techniques.

Pierre Balmain Haute Couture apricot chiffon and Lesage embroidered evening gown. c. late 1960s. Modern size 2 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

Deep Blue SEE

From the fabulous artisans at Hermes we reveal an amazing niloticus crocodile Birkin in marine blue. The skin is flawless and amazingly rich in this unusual deep blue hue. The palladium hardware makes it the perfect day bag to sport this summer. The plastic is still on the bag and it comes with the box, dust cover, rain cover and all the other bells and whistles.

Hermes niloticus crocodile 30cm marine Birkin with palladium hardware, M stamp 2009 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

WE ARE DADA FOR ST. LOUIS!

Are you joining us in St. Louis on April 17th?

I AM DONALD BROOKS!

This apparently anonymous mocha mock turtleneck gown with marabou feather skirt is not exactly the first choice to wear when it's 80 degrees outside, but we can't resist because we don't know who created this decadent dress? The dress has no label! Someone must have designed this over the top concoction, but who? Our wise clients and blog fanatics may be able to give us a clue. The dress is a fine heavy mocha silk top that zips up the back and connects to a plume party of marabou feathers and is centered by a dark brown velvet belt. A feather trim wrap is included if you need more feathers to get you through the night. If anyone has any idea who made this dress, please give us some insight. It comes from the closet of a Texas based clothes-horse who has also given us some fab YSL and Norell, but this one remains a mystery! Help up close the cloth case!
UPDATED: This is Donald Brooks
According to a friend of Decades, the dress looks very much like a Donald Brooks from 1967!

Donald Brooks marabou feather mocha silk evening gown, c. 1960s. 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

VIOLET VACATION

On the hanger, this Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche 70s violet mousseline ensemble may look more Mrs. Roper than a jet setter, but put this on and, viola! This is a violet vacation must-have, apres-plage cover-up that is stroll-down-Worth Avenue-ready! The top is a modified poncho with an elasticized neck (easily worn off the shoulders) that has two holes and a ruffle trimmed layer. A half slip/skirt is perfect for underneath and the entire ensemble can be worn loose or belted for a more tailored look.

Don't feel this is purely for a Three's Company theme party. Rather, it's for those wonderful lazy sunny days when you want more than a cover up and less than a schmatta! Ironically, the look of Mrs. Roper, immortalized by the actress Audra Lindley may be a punchline to some, but consider the attire of Nicole Richie or the Olsens and realize that Lindley was a style trail blazer!

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche violet bird print mousseline poncho top and slip skirt, c. 1970s. One size fits most. Neck and skirt both elasticized. Shown with Gucci belt. 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

DEBUT COLLECTION

When Oliver Theyskens debuted his first collection for Rochas on the 6th of March 2003, Sarah Mower writing on Style.com raved "Olivier Theyskens, the prodigiously talented young Belgian, returned to the Paris scene to make his debut at Rochas and bowled over his audience with a show that was nothing short of magnificent. Having leafed through the annals of 1950s Parisian elegance, Theyskens proceeded to redefine the romance of the suit, cocktail dress and grand evening gown in exquisite couture-grade materials, making them relevant for a whole new generation." Editors, buyers, and the fashion loving public went crazy for the revival of Rochas but were a bit shocked by the five figure prices for many of the garments that may have used Haute Couture techniques, but were part of a ready to wear collection. Regardless of the sky-high prices, we all agreed that the collection was beautiful and we are happy to have many archival and one of a kind dresses from Theyskens brief and historic run at Rochas including look 35 below from the debut collection for Autumn Winter 2003. A tangerine melange of draped organza and ombre petals forming the skirt, the color, style, and quality of this dress (the construction is exquisite inside and out) is enough to make you swoon and even pass out. Our first archival Rochas sold almost the minute we posted, so who will be the lucky new owner of this runway sample of historic significance the from the first decade of 21st century high fashion? Nothing has surpassed the beauty of Theyskens' work at Rochas. Although his collection for Nina Ricci were exciting, the debut of Rochas hit people over the head with beauty.

Rochas by Olivier Theyskens archival runway sample of tangerine and ombre leaf organza. Look 35. Autumn Winter 2003. Modern size 2 (original model's sample)

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.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

This dress is so Cyndi Lauper she-bopping in one of her memorable 80s music videos that seemed to be in perpetual rotation on MTV when MTV actually played music videos. Made of ruched hot pink taffeta, this strapless cha-cha-cha Pierre Balmain dress has flamenco-friendly tiers which are all edged in a contrast of black. With the Cannes Film Festival just around this corner, the Cote D'Azur is calling for a sunset of frivolity on someone's yacht where this dress will be the perfect reveler's attire.

Pierre Balmain pink taffeta strapless cha-cha-cha dress. c. 1980s. Modern size 6

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.

Boxing Match

Nothing is more classic and elegant than a black box Kelly with gold hardware. This is the bag that the namesake herself would carry around the streets of Monaco. This black box 32cm Hermes Kelly is one of those special rights of passage that every woman needs in her closet, to eventually pass down to her daughter. The bag has a circle S stamp for 1989 and is in used but excellent condition. There is no box or strap, but it does have a dust cover, lock and key. Blind stamped on the inside flap are the initials N.B.

Hermes 32cm black box Kelly with gold hardware, 1989. 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

OFF THE SHOULDER

This Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel 1980s black silk crepe LBD is not only off the wall but is off the shoulder, too! The dress has an adjustable neckline that can be worn conservatively in a scoop, or more sexy, off-the-shoulder. This dress will never go out of style. We repeat never go out of style. It is a perfect example of the French chic style of dressing Coco Chanel adapted at the beginning of the 20th century which Karl Lagerfeld has mastered since being Master of the House in 1983. We love the little peak-a-boo back with satin bows and the gilt button closures. The dress is form fitting, but not spank-tight. Throw on a strand of faux Chanel pearls (we got 'em) and a pair of unexpected Brian Atwood sexy shoes (you should get 'em!) and you will be the best dressed for decades!

Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld off-the-shoulder silk crepe LBD, c. 1980s. Modern size 6

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.