WHAT CAME FIRST?

What came first for you today: the shoe or the dress?  In this sole society, I bet many of you have been so seduced by a pair of shoes that you design your entire outfit around your feet.  The Max Kibardin shoes below are show stoppers.  In flamenco pink with plastic spikes and a splattering of Swarovski crystals, I doubt any of you have a shoe like this in your closet.  But you should. I met Max last night and dig his shoes.  I always like to be on the lookout for designers who aren't ubiquitous and Max is a shoe magician that should be on your radar.  These are the top of shoes that come first and the dress will follow.  In this instance I suggest a very modern looking Balenciaga dress from the 1990s of black crepe with cap sleeves and a bow, it's a blend of lady like 1950s sophistication has met 1990s minimalism.   However, I am suggesting some maximum shoes.  The tunic/dress is super short so unless you are highly confident, may I suggest a pair of leather shorts or a slim tuxedo pant.  Whatever you do, make sure you shoes are wicked.

-Cameron

Balenciaga "Le Dix" black crepe tunic dress  c. 90's.  Sample size, modern US 4 SOLD

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.

FROM DAY TO NIGHT

Victor Edelstein designed sophisticated dresses with a hint of glamour for famous women such as Princess Diana and Anna Wintour and went from being a successful designer to a very successful painter. One of his famous clients and a dear friend of Cameron, recently brought in a small fraction of her collection. This dress is part of that. You can tell she is a super chic lady. This dress is the definition of cocktail hour, the just above the knee length, the color jade, a much pleasing alternative to black, and the sheerness on the décolléte. Just add a bold gold belt and you can wear it to meet the president or pair it with a Stella McCartney blazer to wear at the office. 

-Eri 

Victor Edelstein cocktail dress in dark jade chiffon, c.1980's. Modern size 4 to 6.  SOLD

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.

GYPSY WOMAN

Marc Bohan helmed the House of Dior from 1960 to 1989.  He took over after Yves Saint Laurent, but had previously handled designing the Christian Dior London label from 1959 to 1960.  It was Marc Bohan's designs for Christian Dior that graced the runway at the Palace of Versailles on November 28th, 1973.  This Christian Dior Boutique peasant luxe black chiffon dress is likely from around that time.  The off-the-shoulder dress with ruffle over the neck and shoulder is a silhouette that really works on a myriad of  bodies.  There's no confining waist band.  You can wear a bra with it.  Effortless with flats, glamorous with heels. Pile on the jewels or go bare.  The rich-hippie look never goes out of style.  It's always right to look a little romantic and Bohan injected Dior with a youthful and tasteful style that may not have the shock value of other designers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but how many of them churned out Couture collections for three decades?  Sometimes not reinviting the wheel and making people look beautiful is the height of fashion.

-Cameron

Christian Dior Boutique black gypsy dress with jacquard chiffon with black satin ribbons, c. 1970s.  Marked size 6, flexible modern size from 4 to 10.

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.

DECADES OF GALANOS

James Galanos is likely America's greatest living Couturier.  His work spans so many Decades...he opened his eponymous house in 1952 and retired in 1998.  Now he devotes his time to abstract photography, but let's give the man some major props for being an active American designer (based in Los Angeles nonetheless) who shows his collections for FIVE decades.  Christian Dior remained active for only one decade.  He opened his house in 1947 and dropped dead in 1957 either from swallowing a fish bone or swallowing another kind of bone during a particularly eventful sexual encounter.  In polite circles, they call it a "heart attack."  I give Dior credit for remaining so relevant nearly six decades after his death while only having ten years to solidify his position in the annals of fashion history.  Both Mr. Galanos and Monsieur Dior are legends.  The James Galanos late 50s ensemble's dress length reminds me of the proportion suggested by Raf Simons earlier this month at his debut Dior Couture show. 

This wool-silk blend houndstooth tank dress with single button ruffle collar cropped jacket could look totally modern when paired with a colorful shoe as Marion Cotillard has been styled when she was the first actress to wear Raf Simons-designed Dior on the red carpet.  I do have a rule when it comes to vintage: never do head-to-toe vintage, so use Cotillard as an inspiration and grab this James Galanos ensemble that's ready for an update with your modern accessories.

-Cameron

James Galanos houndstooth wool dress and jacket, c. late 1950s.  Modern 6

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.

HEELS OR FLATS?

A showstopper like this halter neck in blood red can not go unnoticed. Designed by Giovanni deMoura who made a name for himself designing dresses for the ladies on Broadway three decades ago. Working for the stage he knew how to create clothes that made an entrance and from this example, a dress that knows how to make an exit as well. The open back exposes the shoulder blades as well as the back. The halter ties at the neck with two extra long straps. Put your hair up for a more sophisticated look or let it all loose and wear this gown with some gold studded Valentino flats.

-Eri   

Giovanni deMoura red jersey halter dress, c.1970's. 
Marked size 4. SOLD
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.

COLOR BLOCK

There has been so much color block on the runways lately  that you would think it was a fashion phenomenon that we have never witnessed before, but Rudi Gernreich introduced color block to fashion back in the 1960s.  The example below is from 1973 and might inspire Raf Simons (just got to meet him and he is such a gentleman and an incredible talent to match) or Phoebe Philo.  Who doesn't dig color block?  It always looks right but it's best by the master, Rudi Gernreich.  It's always a Rudi moment in my book and I am certainly partial since curating THE TOTAL LOOK, which is currently on display at the SCAD Musuem in Savannah through 7 Ocotber.

-Cameron

Rudi Gernreich color block dress, Spring/Summer 1973. Marked size 8, modern 4 to 6

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.

PERFECT TO WEAR FOR VERSAILLES 73 2.0

Last night's secret LA screening of the new fashion documentary Versailles '73 at Soho House was quite the scene.  Raf Simons, Marisa Tomei, Camilla Staerk, Garcelle Beauvais, David Meister, Jennifer Tilly, Magda Berliner, Christa B. Allen, Kevan Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, and JC Obando are just some of the bold names who were at the SRO screening.  As a matter of fact, an early bird screening was added by overwhelming demand.  The next top is Atlanta on 4 September.  A lot of the super models from the film that helped change the course of American fashion and broke the color barriers on the runway will be in attendance.  A few days after that, the show comes to NYC for a huge premiere and a theatrical run.

I keep blogging about designers who were part of the Big Ten invited to show in Versailles.  Hubert de Givenchy was one of the privileged few representing the French.  This 1970s goat fur coat of rust and black could have very well been designed around 1973 by Monsieur Givenchy.  Although many may think of Givenchy of the past as being purely Audrey Hepburn, he definitely channeled his inner rocker with this design that has a 1940s-meets-Marilyn Manson sensibility...something I can wrap my head around!  You don't need to be a goth chic or a glam rocker to wear this jacket.  It goes with everything.  Gowns, jeans, LBDs.  It will make your outfit!  Besides, my dream is to recreate the legendary Versailles fashion show next year with a crop of current designers, so start planning your outfits!

-Cameron

 

Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique goat fur in rust and black, c. 1970s.  Modern size 2. SOLD
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.

CHANEL AND THE LITTLE BLACK JACKET

Moda Operandi in collaboration with Decade, recently curated a trunk show dedicated to the classic Chanel Jacket. If you haven't already been on the site do so now, everything is almost sold out. From classic tweed to luxe sequins, Coco's iconic jacket is the piece de resistance for every modern woman.
And to read an interview with Cameron and the lovely spotlight editor at Moda Operandi please click here.

MORE FROM VERSAILLES!

Tonight there  is a secret screening of Versailles '73 in Los Angeles.  Although the film had its debut screening during the Cannes Film Festival in May, this time around a lot of my friends and peers will be listening to me narrate the film.  Let's hope people find my voice mellifluous and not dissonant.  I keep thinking about all the designers who were part of the famous fashion revolution.  I actually want to curate a trunk show of all the Versailles 73 designers: then and now.  Here is a great "then" piece by Bill Blass.  Wine printed python chiffon is enhanced with striped of gold paisley-laced thread.  The skirt is a handkerchief hem which yesterday's birthday boy, Jarred, calls "peasant."  You will have to email him at Jarred@decadesinc.com to ask him personally what is peasant-y about said Blass.  I think of it as very luxurious:  sensual python printed chiffon; glitzy paisley metallic stripes; flirty skirt.  Nan Kempner at her finest?  With fall just around the corner, I actually can see Jarred's point.  Perhaps this dress could be worn with suede boots and a great Ulyana Sergeenko coat?

Bill Blass wine snake skin print with metallic paisley long sleeve dress, c.1970's.  Modern size 6 SOLD

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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARRED!!!!

It's Lil' Jer Jer's birthday today.  For those who have not had the pleasure to experience Le Jer Jer in person, he is the ultimate fashion diva.  His hats are always vintage Galanos.  His furs are always Barguzin sable.  And I have never seen Jarred not attached to one of his Hermes bags.  He is just a typical Decades employee.  But not just any employee:  Jarred is on his third decade at Decades.  He began in 1997 and hasn't left since, except when we had a huge fight around 10 years ago but he came grovelling back.  Or did I beg him to come back?  I can't remember.  Anyway, Jarred is the GLUE of Decades.  He can sew a hem of a Dior while changing a light bulb.  He can sweep leaves off our roof in the middle of heavy winter rain while boxing up a crocodile Birkin to a Saudi princess.  He knows where the transformers are for the store and can transform the store with his magical merchandising.  For those who do know Jarred, he would never wear what we styled him today.  It must have been the high from his birthday cake that made him vulnerable to this fashion shoot.  Truth is, the Dior sable cape is actually mine (it belonged to Lyn Revson and I just had to keep it and don't know how or when I will ever wear it.  The HAC is actually from my personal collection, too.  But I am willing to sell it since I have too many.  The hat IS Galanos and is for sale.  Jarred shaves his head so I thought he needed a hat today.  Anyway, we all love Jarred in his curmudgeon, anti-Capitalist, conspiracy theory splendor.  Jarred loves fashion and fashion history and if he ever gives you a compliment on something you are considering to purchase, it is as if the Pope himself has blessed you.  Long Live Jarred Cairns.  The glue of Decades.  The Lil' Care Bare of Decades.  Le Jer Jer, middle aged ballet star.  Jarred we all wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  You were a twink when you started here...sometimes things just don't change.  However, Jarred is about to become a huge reality TV show icon because he is the ultimate outsider artist and future Bravo-celebrity as his appearance on our new show will solidify his legend.  Note to self: Buy his art NOW...will be worth a fortune once the show starts airing on Bravo.

Jarred is the original sweet spirit.  The original lollipop and butterfly.  You can trust him with your life, but I can't guarantee his undies will be clean!

-Cameron 

Galanos hat in spiral pattern in gray wool, c.1980's. Size small. SOLD
Dior sable fur cape, c.1960's. One size fits all. SOLD
Hermes 45cm, rouge haut-au-courrois, 1982. Measures 45cmX42cmX24cm SOLD

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

BULLITT POINT

Nothing is more rewarding than discovering the provenance of a treasured dress.  My favorite way to acquire goods for Decades is from the original owners, but when an Eisa comes to us that was designed in 1952, as time goes by, the likelihood of the original owner coming to us with her dress becomes more and more occasional.  Fortunately the amazing Igor Zubizarreta of the Balenciaga Foundation in Madrid helped me discover that this Eisa gown designed by Cristobal Balenciaga was originally owned by the fascinating Anne Moen Bullitt. A similar model was photographed  by the late Gleb Derujinsky in April of 1953.  The picture is appropriately titled "Models on the Balcony." 

American socialite Anne Moen Bullitt lived in Spain from around 1948 to 1952.  At the time, she was married to Nicholas Duke Biddle, who was serving as a foreign service officer at the United States embassy in Madrid.  Eisa was the name of Balenciaga's original surviving label based in Spain (other business ventures floundered prior) that he founded in 1927.  Let's call Eisa his homegrown Couture and the Cristobal Balenciaga label his Parisian branch.  Bullitt was a famous collector of clothing and amassed a formidable collection of Balenciaga, Sybil Connolly, Lanvin, and Yves Saint Laurent.  Bullitt's fascinating history has totally consumed me.  Her mother was Louise Bryant, the American journalist who witnessed the October Revolution in Russia and was played by Diane Keaton in the film Reds.  Her father was William C. Bullitt, the first US Ambassador to the Soviet Union  from 1933 and 1936.  Among other things, he was psychoanalyzed by Sigmund Freud.  Bullitt and Freud actually authored a book about Woodrow Wilson together that they worked on in the 1930s, but it wasn't published until 1967. 

As you can read, Anne Moen Bullitt was surrounded by fascinating 20th century figures and certainly dressed the part from the day she was born in 1924 to her death in 2007.   She was famously tiny with an 18 inch waist and apparently a rather full bosom.  Dita von Teese could fill out this dress exquisitely.  Interestingly, Bullitt was the first female breeder and trainer of thoroughbred horses in Ireland

I can't stop reading about her and her family.  So much so that I haven't written much about the dress.  But this Eisa is extraordinary...as was the original owner.  I expect the next owner to be fill the shoes and bust of Ms. Bullitt and enjoy telling the tales of the past owner while she makes her own in a cream silk and puce tulle ball gown.

-Cameron

 

Eisa by Cristobal Balenciaga of cream silk and puce tulle gown, c. 1952.  Size zero with an18" waist. 

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.

JULY APHRODITE

It used to be that June was the busy wedding month, but July has had us besieged with nearly naked brides looking for the right white gown to walk down the aisle.  The cool thing about many of the summer brides is that it's all about their fab destination weddings: from Mexican beaches to Wyoming prairies.  Now you don't need to be a bride or a virgin for that matter to don a white gown, so this Yves Saint Laurent white jersey dress with exaggerated cowl neck, 3/4 sleeve, and full skirt is an option for the Aphrodite in all of you.  If someone is having a wedding in Greece this would be so perfect and you should invite me!  I am a delightful guest.

-Cameron

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche white jersey gown, c. 1990's.  Marked size 40, modern size 6 (it was lovingly cleaned but still has some flaws).

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.