FIFTY SHADES OF OMBRE

Leave it to quintessential American designer Bill Blass to savor the night and deliver a sure-fire hit Goddess gown in ombre shades of a total eclipse of the sky colored chiffon.  The strapless and pleated bodice creates a soft empire silhouette sensually spreading beautiful ombre shades reminiscent of the ultimate sunset (you know the ones we get in SoCal and Instagram is just filled with those magically hued images in tandem).  With a dramatic swag of fabric that we have thrown over the shoulder and can be seductively draped across your arms, this gown delivers the goods.  Wow this is starting to sound like a bad fashion version of last year's best selling novel.  Anywho SEX sells!
-Cameron




Bill Blass multi pastel colored chiffon gown. c.1980's.  Modern 4 to 6.  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.

WINDOW SHOWDOWN

As the LA premiere date of Versailles '73 is fast approaching, we recreated our own interpretation of how the American models looked in the beautiful creations of the American designers as they competed for recognition at the now infamous Fashion Show in Versailles in 1973. Cameron Silver narrated the documentary, which premiered in Cannes last May. As interesting as it is from a fashion point of view, what happened in Grand Divertissement at Versailles in 1973, is historically and socially important. Not only was this night important to American ready-to-wear designers having an international presence, but also because twelve African-American models at one time in one show representing American fashion industry, caught the Europeans by surprise. Those beautiful creatures like Pat Cleveland, Bethann Hardison and Alva Chinn  helped break the color barrier down. The very next year Beverly Johnson was the first African-American model on the cover of Vogue. 

With our window we pay homage to Halston, Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, few of the most important American designers who helped give American fashion industry a voice not only in Versailles in 1973 but for decades to follow. Created by the talented Jeff Snyder and Jarred Cairns, our windows pay homage to a world without color or borders, where only beauty and passion to create, triumphs.

For those who live in NY click here to book tickets for Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution screening at IFC Center. 

-Eri  

Bill Blass rainbow chiffon gown with shawl, c.1980's. Modern size 4 to 6. Click here for more info. SOLD

Halston one shoulder rust-gold crinkled silk layered gown, c.1970's. Modern size 4, waist 24 inches. Click here for more info. 

Bill Blass multicor chiffon gown, c1980's. Modern size 4 to a small 6. 

Oscar de la Renta irridiscent olive draped charmeuse/chiffon evening dress with wrap, c.1980's. Modern size 4. Click here for more info.

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 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.

BILL BLASS FOR THE V'73 PREMIERE?

Bill Blass was one of the American designers invited by Eleanor Lambert to show at The Battle of Versailles on a chilly November 28th nearly 40 years ago...an evening that I consider the greatest Fashion's Night Out.  For those not familiar with the legendary evening, five American designers were pitted against five French designers.  The Americans were pretty much sabotaged by the French, but a fashion revolution occurred as the freshness of the American designs matched with the exuberance of the American models (most of which were models of color) not only opened the doors for American fashion to have a global presence, but also broke the color barriers on the global runways.  The French seemed demimode.  The Americans triumphed.  How I wish I had been there to cheer on Blass, Halston, Burrows, de la Renta, and Klein.  Imagine the frenzy that occurred when Pat Cleveland pirouetted down the stage?  Fortunately, Deborah Riley Draper has captured the story behind Versailles '73 in her new documentary.  I may just be the narrator of the film, but I am honored to be part of celebration.  This Bill Blass black jersey dress with long strands of fringe emerging from the neck and wrapped seductively around the body of the dress is an ideal example of the freshness of American design.  As a matter of fact, this dress seems so current that I could picture it on a runway today as if it were designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  Perfectly body conscious, yet with covered arms, this dress is testament to the possibilities of American design and is ready for a fashion battle.  Pick your battles wisely and wear sensible shoes, but not necessarily to the local premiere of Versailles '73 when it comes to your cinema!

-Cameron

Bill Blass black jersey long sleeve dress with fringe detail, c.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.

I AM BACK FROM PARIS AND FEELING PATRIOTIC

If you follow me on Twitter @CameronDecades you will have had first dibs on photos from the Haute Couture shows and presentations of Giorgio Armani (not my fav), Jean Paul Gaultier (looked better when we went to visit the Atelier in person), Versace (very Gianni), Valentino (chic and mature), Valli (who actually buys it?), Dior (too vintage), Mabille (great day looks), and Givenchy (kind of amazing!), among others. My photos and bon mots had my hand working overtime and I hope you all enjoyed my observations from Couture. It's good to be home and as much as I adore Paris high fashion, I still love a good ol' American point of view on style, too. This Bill Blass ombre chiffon evening gown has a knife pleated goddess bust and attached scarf that reminds me of some of the Madame Gres gowns we have received at Decades in her signature jersey. Blass makes the gown so light and the colors are like a Malibu sunset. Perfection. Seasonless. Fabulous with flats. Heaven with heels. Jeweled or just accessorized by tawny skin, this is Blass at his best. Not as an American in Paris, but as an American made in America, too.
-Cameron




Bill Blass ombre chiffon goddess gown, c. early 1980s. Generous 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.

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN CALIFORNIA

It is always sunny in California and a women can never have enough summer dresses especially the kind that can easily be worn for brunch in the afternoon and cocktails at night.

We just got this amazing Bill Blass dress, in a checkered and polka dot print. The pleated skirt and the white collar gives this dress a schoolgirl feel, but once its belted with the exaggerated black patent belt, the schoolgirl goes to college. A black Mary Jane shoe would complete the look, but don't be sensible with the shoe, a double platform Mary Jane would do just as well as a ten inch wedge.

-Eri

Bill Blass silk dress in red and white with black patent belt, c. 1980's. 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.

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE 4TH OF JULY

I haven't been in the States on the 4th of July for over a decade. I tend to be in Paris as the Haute Couture shows are always at that time, and this year is no exception. I would encourage the stylish American to dress domestic on the 4th of July regardless of where she is celebrating Independence Day and what better way to do so than in this red, white, and blue Bill Blass halter jumpsuit of polished cotton. We had another Blass jumpsuit a few weeks ago and that was snatched up quite quickly by one of my favorite Brits. Now you don't have to possess a US Passport to work this look, so as the United Nations of Fashion, I say anyone with style should procure this universally appealing design. If you are a Brit, it's the colors of your flag, too. And Bastille Day is the 14th of July, so our French friends are encouraged to don some American "apparel" sans guilt. Vive La Couture!
-Cameron

Bill Blass red, white, and blue polished cotton jumpsuit with sash, c. 1970s. Modern 4. SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or todd@dtwo1.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 MelroseAvenue (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.

GARDEN SNAKE

I seem to be on a blogger high as of late, since we have received so many good things...I just want to share them all with you and am sorry for those who can't be with us in person since it is really impossible to post everything in its entirety as it arrives. I love animal prints. They never go out of style. (The wise know to hang on to their animal prints). To those feeling the beast, please find a great Bill Blass python print chiffon ruffled halter dress with layered skirt and wow-what-a-sexy back. If you do your yoga regularly and have gorgeous arms and a back, don't cover them up when attending a chic garden party or cocktail party. Show off that toned physique in this. What's particularly smart about this dress is the color is subtle yet the style is quite the opposite: this is one hell of a sexy dress. If it were in a Cavalli or Versace vibrant hue this dress could verge on tacky, but in this sophisticated palette the dress is less Pretty Woman and more There is Nothin' Like a Dame!
-Cameron



Bill Blass python print chiffon halter dress, c. late 1970s. Modern size 4 SOLD
For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or todd@dtwo1.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 Melrose Avenue 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.