WHAT TIME IS LOVE?

It's always time for love when wearing a vintage Schiaparelli faux ruby Swiss watch.  The original owner of the watch loves our blog and sweetly created a blog post for this watch so here is our first guest editor post by "Madame X":

"This elegant Schiaparelli gold-tone Swiss watch bracelet is covered with three rows of red rhinestones in the shape of flowers.  There are twenty-one flowers with six stones each linked together by a single stone for a total of one hundred and sixty stones.  Opened at the watch, the bracelet slips on the wrist with ease.   The bracelet’s exquisite floral design is reminiscent of Schiaparelli’s iconic spring motif.  This motif is celebrated in jewelry pieces of the Schiaparelli Collection housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where the world famous Met Gala Benefit is held annually.  The Gala celebrates the opening of its spring exhibition drawing luminaries from the fashion and entertainment industries." 

Okay my job is done.  What time is love? 

-Cameron

Elsa Schiaparelli Swiss watch bracelet with red rhinestones, c. 1960's. Diameter 7'.  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.

MAD ABOUT IRENE

Irene Lentz dressed some of the greatest film icons of the 20th century:

Ginger Rogers

Hedy Lamar

Claudette Colbert

Carole Lombard

Ingrid Bergman

Loretta Young

Doris Day

Lana Turner.

If the icons above aren't endorsement enough that Irene Lentz knew how to design a great dress, what could be better than a ménage a trois of Irene's custom gowns that were made for a family friend and are now available at Decades.   All three dresses are a modern size 8 to a small 10 and exude the glamour of Irene's designs from the 1940s and 1950s.

The black satin evening gown gathers at the waist with a dramatic bustle.  Just add diamonds.  The black satin scoop evening dress with bronze floral skirt is minimal but with maximum sophistication.  Finally, the sari silk turquoise cocktail dress with silver embroidery is patiently awaiting Mad Men's Christina Hendricks to make it come to life.  I am mad for these dresses, no pun attended.

-Cameron

Irene black silk satin evening dress, c. 1950s.  Modern size 8 to small 10 SOLD
Irene black silk satin evening dress w/ bronze floral skirt, c. 1950s  Modern size 8 to 10 SOLD
Irene turquoise sari silk cocktail dress, c. 1950s Modern size 8 to small 10 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.

THE BIG SCHLEP

Do you ever have "fat" days?  You know the days when you just don't feel 100% chic because your colonic practitioner called in sick, so your tummy isn't as taut and flat as Miley's, but you can't call in sick and say to your boss "I'm having a fat day," so when the going gets tough put on some Issey Miyake.  Managing to be both sophisticated and ultra-comfy without looking like an adult-sized onesie, this linen pinstripe jumpsuit has a front bib to cover the bloat and adjustable shoulder straps so you can show as much decolettage as you care to show.  I actually would love to see this worn in Aix en Provence with a big floppy hat and a pair of espradrilles in a last hoorah to summer.  Although linen may scream summer, truth is this will be very wearable through September and October especially during LA's Indian summer.  You can look chic when you feel more schlep.

Cameron

Issey Miyake linen jumpsuit with shoulder straps, c.1980's. Marked size M, modern size 4 - 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.

YO ADRIENNE!

Adrienne Vittadini was the epitome of NYC fashion sportswear chic with a European flair in the 1980s and early 1990s.  I remember she had a store on Rodeo Drive and I always thought Vittadini was the American answer to Sonia Rykiel.  (Vittadini was actually born in Hungary.)  We've never sold a piece of Vittadini at Decades before, but this caught my eye as I was going through a large collection in NYC a few months ago.  With graphic color blocked geometric graphics in sequin this mini with scoop back gives good dress.  So Mrs. Vittadini, I hope you are proud to be part of the Decades esteemed collection of 20th and 21st century designer clothing.  You may be known primarily for sweat suits way before Juicy got their hands on the genre, but you also are now known as being a Decades-loved createur and ya won a  Coty award, too!

-Cameron

Adrienne Vittadini multi colored sequin mini-dress, c.1980s. Marked size S, modern size 4-6. 
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.

Galanos Satin

I didn't watch the MTV Music Video Awards, but I saw the photos.  I found the entire fashion parade fairly uninspiring and mostly nauseating.  Everyone just tries so hard.  My goal for a chic Decades woman is "don't try too hard this fall".  Effortless and elegant is always sexy and always on trend.  James Galanos knew this all too well.  This latte satin long sleeve mini tunic with car wash pleats is a little Gatsby, a little Farrow, and totally chic.  A subtle statement is sometimes the boldest of all.  Imagine this dress with a pair of Saint Laurent T-straps and you have the perfect fall transitional dress for NY Fashion Week that is effortless and doesn't induce nausea.  I will be in NYC for Fashion Week so make sure you follow my Twitter and Instagram for immediate images with witty bon mots direct from the front row.

-Cameron

James Galanos satin mini with long sleeves, c. late 1970's. Modern size 4-6. 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.

WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE A CHIC YOUNG PARISIENNE

Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Jacques Fath are credited with saving French Haute Couture following the end of World War Two.  Fath presented his first collection in 1937 and never shuttered his house during the war (although he did spend a brief spell as a prisoner in 1940).  His clients during the war were Germans, black marketers, and the ultra wealthy collaborators.  Miraculously his reputation wasn't tarnished and he became an international brand following the war.  In 1945, Diana Vreeland famously asked an assistant to bring back a fabric rose from Paris to prove that French Couture had survived the war.  The Couture and Fath survived. 

This LBD from 1949 epitomizes "the chic young Parisienne" which became the hallmark style of Fath's work.  Perhaps not as innovative as Dior, Fath did know how to highlight a client's curves with fitted waists and molded busts.  Plus, he was apparently a real charmer and he and his beard/wife, the former model and Fath muse, Genevieve Boucher de la Bruyere, threw fabulous parties. 

I will personally guarantee that this dress will make you chic, perhaps young, and was made in Paris. 

-Cameron

Jacques Fath Haute Couture black wool cocktail dress, 1949. Modern size 4-6. 

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.

GET THE LOOK

photo by Tiffany Rose 

The beautiful Stacy Keibler in a fresh sexy resort look incorporating vintage and modern pieces all from Decades, attending Disaronno screening of William Wyler's "Roman Holiday" at a private residence in the Hollywood Hills on August 23. Stacy like a real life goddess in vintage Yuki dress, vintage Yves Saint Laurent bracelet and clutch and Charlotte Olympia shoes.
To purchase the look please contact us at www.shopdecadesinc.com 
For more info on the dress click here: Yuki gold goddess dress.
For more info on the bracelet click here: Yves Saint Laurent gold cube bracelet.

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.

COVERED YET REVEALED!

Can you covered up head-to-toe and still look damn sexy?  Yes, you can!  This Diane von Furstenberg sky blue jersey wrap top and maxi skirt with butterfly motif will show every curve while still making you look a bit chaste.  The brilliance of the wrap is that you can reveal as much or as little of your bust.  Plus this is two pieces so wear it together or the skirt with a tank and denim jacket.  The top would be chic with a pair of slim Audrey-length capri pants.  I know this seems very summer as we focus on fall, but I am in Malibu this weekend and I am working every last drop of summer until NYC Fashion Week!

-Cameron

Diane von Furstenberg jersey butterfly 2 piece wrap, c. 1970's. Modern size 4. (no label) 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.

MORE FROM THE ZIP LOCK COLLECTION AT DECADES

During NY Fashion Week, don't be surprised if you see me hauling a backback from show to show.  I stay with my friend Rod in Harlem and between shows I often change (sometimes in alleys) because well, it's fashion week, and the world needs (like a hole in its head) fresh looks from "Baby Cam Cam" which I procure from my massive and heavy backpack.  Regretfully most men's clothes won't fit in a zip-lock bag, but an ultra light Leonard jersey dress will!  Imagine having a dozen of these in your tote and just changing for 12 shows in one day?  That would be so clever.  Alas, we only have one Leonard jersey dress of which we can offer you, so enjoy this totally MOD and modern way of dressing.  Boots or heels or sandals, a season-less and weight-less was to dress by Leonard.

-Cameron

 

 

Leonard multi print mini dress, c.1970's.  Modern size 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.

A BAG WITH A MEMORY

Rarely we veer off the "only vintage on the blog" policy. And those are the times when something special and luxe arrives at Decades. We couldn't resist this Bottega Veneta Memory Cabat bag, a Limited Edition only sold at Bottega Veneta boutiques with a sterling silver plaque inside. The leather is filled with a memory form, which allows the bag to come back to its original shape after placing it anywhere or filling it out to over maximum capacity. It requires a lot more hours of hand work and four times more nappa leather than the usual intrecciato style, to create this beautiful, soft and durable bag. It is not cheap but as a very cool American lady who loves Spanish slangs would say: It's a ganga!!
-Eri

Bottega Veneta cioccolato intrecciato memory Nappa Cabat bag with sterling silver Limited Edition plaque. It measures 10"H x 7.5"W x 16"L.

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.

MINTY AND FROTHY

If you have great legs, this is your dress.  If you are artsy, this is your dress.  If you have a broad rib cage, this is your dress.  What is this dress?  Pierre Cardin Haute Couture from 1979 with a silver leather band attached to waves of textured organza in the lightest shade of mint.  The rib cage will fit a size eight, but can easily be taken in for a smaller bust.  I just see this on someone with terrific legs who won't be flustered when Bill Cunningham suddenly starts snapping away at your and your pic ends up in his The New York Times column on Sunday.

-Cameron

 

 

Pierre Cardin Haute Couture mint strapless dress, 1979. Modern size 8. 

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.

GUCCI GALORE

Spruce up your fall wardrobe with a great vintage Gucci handbag.  Not an "IT" bag that has been gifted to celebrities and editors in the last months that suddenly turns up on blogs and weeklies as the must-have bag of the season, but a bag no one else will have that will cost you a lot less than the current bag phenom: the W by Louis Vuitton which is featured in advertisements with Michelle Williams and conveniently on the arm for the paparazzi when Reese Witherspoon is strolling through Brentwood or SJP steps out of a SUV in NYC..  That bag starts at $3750.  You can buy all six of these Gucci bags for way less and you won't see yourself coming or going or the knock-off versions on the corner of 5th and 57th!  I love Louis Vuitton, but I also love things that separate you from the pack!

-Cameron

Gucci Bags
Burgundy snakeskin, c.1970's. 1.5 x 7.5 x 10
Brown leather "Jackie O" bag, c. 1970's. 1.5 x 8 x 13
Burgundy leather with gold GG chain, c.1970's. 3 x 8 10.5
Burgundy suede and leather, c.1970's. 2.5 x 8.5 x 9.5 
Black leather with horse bit clasp, c.1980's. 3.5 x 9 x 12
Chocolate brown leather shoulder bag, c. 1980's. 3 x 10 x 14. 
Black canvas with tan leather trim shoulder bag, c.1980's. 2 x 8 x 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.