DON LOPER FOR THE OPERA

We all remember Don Loper as one of Hollywood's favorite costume designers who was lovingly immortalized when Lucille Ball included Mr Loper on an episode of "I Love Lucy." Remember the episode when Lucy gets a terrible sunburn just prior to a Hollywood Wives fashion show featuring the designs of Don Loper? Well, we tried to find it on You Tube, but to no avail. However, it's probably the most hilarious blend of physical comedy and fashion, you will ever see. We have always had a love of Don Loper at Decades. After all, he was a Los Angeles designer and we like to support our local heroes.

This black silk full-bodied opera coat can be worn closed, as shown, or more dramatically opened up and off your shoulders. It's intricately beaded with black jet and the sleeves balloon grandly with narrow holes for your arm and hand to pass. It's very diplomatically sized. It can fit a variety of figures, it just needs a woman with the presence to carry-off such full-fledged glamour. What is particularly amazing about this coat is it's versatility. Worn with a fitted sweater and slim pants with flats, it's almost casual. Worn with a slight cocktail dress, it's useful to keep you warm during the winter months. And for a the red carpet with a full-length gown and slipping off your shoulders, it becomes a great non-fur wrap. So live the glamour. Lucy would be proud. Don Loper 50s black silk beaded opera coat. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Class Acts

One of the hardest occasions to dress for is a wedding. Doesn't it seem that the bride-to-be has it easy? Wear a large, pouffy, cleavage-bearing Barbie gown and you're golden! Attendees have no such luck--go too demure, and you're essentially asking for a life of singledom; go too sexy, and face the wrath of bridezilla.

We've got two superb solutions to this all-too-common dilemma. Don Loper brings us our first dress, a vision in floral café au lait lace and chiffon (for those of you who are unfamiliar with Mr. Loper, he was the first and only stop for Hollywood's glitterati in the 1950s). Our second little ditty is a floor-length girlsnberry lamé wrap from Mr. Blackwell that's more appropriate for a formal affair. The pleats are vaguely reminiscent of Mariano Fortuny's tea gowns. Classy!

Don Loper Café au Lait Floral Lace and Chiffon Scoop-Neck Cocktail Dress with Open Back, c. 1950s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

Mr. Blackwell Girlsnberry Fortuny-Style Lamé Tea Dress, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to narrow 8. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.