HOW TO MESS WITH A CLASSIC: THE POLO DRESS

Polos are back in the runways this season, transformed, twisted, knit, leather, lose or fitted, shirts or dresses,  it's all about polos. From Celine knitted polo dress to Louis Vuitton's gold lame shirt, the polo is definitely back and sexier than ever. This vintage Azzedine Alaïa gold knit dress is the perfect interpretation of sexy and classic. As we are constantly remembered by the cycles of fashion, always invest in a classic sexy Alaïa piece. It will always be on trend and make you look like a golden coin.

-Eri 

Alaïa knit polo dress in gold, c. 1990's.  Will fit modern size 2/4.  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.

LADY IN RED

A friend of mine who is a very beautiful woman once told me that when she met her husband she was wearing a red Alaia dress. He remembers her entering the room in a fitted red Alaia and falling immediately in love with her. They are married now for 17 happy years. She still wears Alaia often but for him she will always be the woman in a red dress entering the room. That is the power of a dress. 

-Eri 

Alaia red rayon dress, 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.

PANTY LINES R THE NEW BLURRED LINES

So much has been happening in Paris during Fashion Week.  Raf did a stellar Dior.  Schiaparelli announced their expected creative director, Marco Zannini.  Rumors suggest that Marc Jacobs final Vuitton show could be imminent.  However, the one thing I really wanted to attend was the opening of Azzedine Alaia's retrospective currently on display at Palais Galliera. 

I have spent many fun afternoons and evenings with Azzedine.  Once he cooked me lunch with guests including legendary ginger model Bettina and  Belgian beauty Hannelore Knuts.  We have had dinner with my French "mamas," too.  Every time, I always bring Azzedine a vintage piece for his collection.  Mostly from Claire McCardell.  In return, he usually gives me a unisex clutch and I complain that he doesn't make anything for men. 

When I return to Paris for the January Couture shows I will certainly attend this retrospective and do note it closes on 26 January.  You can always get your Alaia addiction on at Decades and this mock turtleneck viscose scuba dress with revealing net inserts at the hip, back, and arms is ready for you to blur some lines.  View more Alaia from Decades here.

-Cameron

Alaia black cotton/viscose blend net dress, c.1980's. Marked size small, 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.

Alaia black long sleeve gown

If you don't have an Alaia floor length dress in your closet that could fit in a zip-lock sandwich bag you are clearly suffering sartorially.  A 21st century Wonder Woman needs an evening dress that's light and smushable for when she has to suddenly twirl from work garb to evening wear in a New York Minute.  This Azzedine Alaia makes the transition easy.  Seriously, put it in a zip lock bag at the bottom of your purse along with some statement earrings and your boldest red lips.  Change in a gas station bathroom (keep your Atwood heels on pa-leeze), put on the above, and your transformation to ultra-glam is complete.  I should write a self-help style book.  By the way, it's Alaia and it clings, so make sure you are either toned or have the proper under-garments to create the illusion of a toned physique. 

-Cameron

Alaia black long sleeve gown of acetate, c.1980's. 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.

GREAT ALAIA

I fly to NYC tomorrow and was thrilled to find out the heat wave has broken.  It is very difficult for a gentleman to look elegant while walking down Madison Avenue when the city feels like a sour substitute for hell when it is damn hot!  The ladies have it so easy.  They have Alaia and can be put together while letting a natural ventilation system do it's job with deep plunges, free arms, short hems, and exposed backs.  In contrast, I have to wear a suit, shirt, tie, and ill-advised to go commando.  This gold print halter with two-tiered skirt gives the illusion of being a more substantial fabric that is heavy and textured, but is seriously so light and easy to wear.  If I were packing and  a woman of style with an Alaia-appropriate body, this would be a no-brainer.  Reminiscent of Claire McCardell's wrap dresses in the 40s and early 50s, Alaia has sex'd it for the super models 1980s.  Oh this came from a pretty successful model of that era!  It's got good genes.

-Cameron

 

 

 

Alaia gold print silk wrap dress, c.1980's. Marked 12, 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.

ALAIA LOVES VIONNET

It's no secret that Azzedine Alaia loves Vionnet and has a pretty killer collection of her impeccable bias cut gowns from the 1920s and 1930s in his personal museum.  When this wool coat came in I was seduced by the two-tone wool (matte and shiny) as well as unusual back cape detail.  But honey, that ain't nothin'!  When I opened the coat I realized it was as if Alaia took the footprint of an iconic Vionnet gown and built the coat around it.  Check out Eri's demonstration showcasing the inside of the dress and notice how the internal construction is separate from the outside of the actual cape attachment.  

                                         

Alaia black wool coat. c. 1980's. Marked size 8, 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.

URSULA ANDRESS UNDRESS

This wheat colored Alaia bra requires some gravity-defying breasts.  If you are looking for support, this is not the bra for you!  If you are looking for supporters, this bra will guarantee a plethora of them.  Wrap the straps seductively around your midsection and get ready to capture James Bond.
-Cameron

Azzedine Alaia viscose blend "Ursula Andres"s wrap bra, c. 1980s.  Marked size M
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.

IT'S THE SEASON OF THE BELLY

Since the midriff is fashion’s erogenous zone du jour, why not cut to the chase with this Alaia bra that is marked size small but can handle a more generous cup, unlike some of the other Alaia bra tops I will post in the next few days?  Bare your bosom and burn your bra…just not this Alaia!
-Cameron

                                                   
Azzedine Alaia cream viscose-blend bra, c. 1980s.  Marked size S

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.

STYLIN' CHI-TOWN!

Look out, Chicagoans. Decades is about to breeze through the Windy City. And in addition to our usual treats and treasures, we're bringing along our superchic shoe collab with Modern Vintage® plus holding our infamous Shoe Sundays (everything from Alaia to Zanotti - each pair priced at $150 - talk about steals and deals)!

Needless to say, we're super psyched about the trip. Lucky for us, we'll be holding our trunk show at our favorite Chicago boutique/apothecary: space519 located within 900 North Michigan Shops (900 North Michigan Avenue).

And the best news of all: we'd like you to join us in toasting our latest trunk show at the Opening Night VIP Party. The sartorial soirée kicks off on Friday, May 11th at 3pm and the drinking, laughing and shopping will continue all day long until 8pm.

Want to attend the chicest event in Chi-town? Simply RSVP to: chicago@decadesinc.com!*

Can't make it? Don't cry. The trunk show will be open Saturday, May 12th from 10am - 7pm and Sunday, May 13th from 12pm to 6pm. Even if you do come to the VIP event, you might want to pop back by for the foot candy on Sunday. I mean this the epitomé of easy, breezy, beautiful, no?

--Lizzy

*You MUST rsvp to attend the event.

NEW OLD MASTERS

From Female magazine:

Cameron Silver, founder of legendary LA retro store Decades and one of Time magazine's 25 most influential faces in fashion, tells Patricia Lee what defines vintage, who to collect and how to wear it. Click on the images to read the article.

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING

Winter is just the best excuse for pulling out your favorite pair of boots, no? Of course, winter right now in lala-land means a balmy 80 degrees with nary a could in the sky, but we're still feeling boots in a major way.

So, for Thursday's Through the Decades, we pulled a bunch of bee-yoo-ti-ful boots that we think are must-haves this season from vintage Maud Frizon printed pony knee-highs to white combat boots with strapping and stud detailing courtesy of Chloe that will take you back to your Doc days.

To shop the Boot collection, click here! And don't forget foot candy fans: tomorrow we launch both a $150 shoe section AND an amazing collection of hand-curated special "It' kicks online. Then on Saturday at 9am, we're kicking off our bi-annual in-store shoe sale, with pretty pairs courtesy of all your favorite designers from Alaia to Zanotti, each priced at $150 per pair. Read more about here!

ALAIA'S MAGIC

There is no argument to the fact that Azzedine Alaia is a living legend. He has proved it over and over again with every piece he has created, that he is the Master and one of the last living couturiers. For his work and what he has created in this last century, he is being honored with an exhibit at the Groninger Museum in Netherland. Click on the image and go if you are in that part of the world. If you can't attend then what a better way to celebrate Alaia than to own one of his pieces.

This python skin black coat is as luxurius as it is non pretencious ....but look closer and all his magic unveils itself. Alaia's magic is in making very intricate design to look quite simple and perfect. And this coat is no ecxeption.

-Eri

Alaia python jacket, c.1980's. Marked size 36. Will fit modern size 2 to 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.

NOT FOR MAMA ROSE

As some of you may know, I am a former singer and have a soft spot for Broadway songs. I spent Labor Day weekend in NYC seeing shows as I knew this week was all FASHION shows! For those with a little Gypsy in their stylish souls, this one if for you! A beautiful Alaia two piece viscose body suit with revealing bust line and fitted ribbed mini. The color is a beautiful shade of Rose, but this isn't for Mama Rose to wear while singing her 11th Hour soliloquy "Rose's Turn," rather this is more for the Gypsy Rose Lee who wants to come out and play. This fashion week is all about color, so get a head start and show off your guns in Alaia.
-Cameron

Alaia rose jersey ensemble body suit and mini skirt, c. late 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 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.

WHITE ON WHITE

With all the white shown so far in the New York catwalks we couldn't resist this white leather Alaia vintage belt. In our opinion white is as beautiful and appropriate for winter as it is for spring and summer. And nothing looks better than a white on white outfit and a big smile.

Alaia belt in white leather with studs. Measures 27" to 29". 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 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.

TATI ENCORE

We have had this Alaia dress before and it always sold faster than we could blog it. Now here it is again. Let's see if it would sell before we finish writing this.

As Cameron describes this stretch cotton dress, is a pied de coq motif which we also call Houndstooth was inspired by the famous Tati use of Vichy checkas its logo featured throughout the historic magasin in France that is known for being a popular and affordable retail destination since its founding in 1949. Tati may be affordable, but Alaia isn't so this is a little tongue in cheek and ultimate chic.

Azzedine Alaia black and white Tati houndstooth tank dress, Spring/Summer 1991. Modern 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 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.