LIQUID SILVER

Gianfranco Ferre's designs walked the line between fashion and architecture, combining opulence with careful tailoring. Simplicity was his signature, like his famous simple white tailored shirts. In contrast, the Ferre woman was never simple, she was an Amazonian creature in high heels bursting with confidence and sex appeal. This mini dress smothered in caviar beads and crystals creating a liquid silver effect is far from the simplicity of the crisp white shirt. Be simple with styling it; just a pair of high heels and confidence and you are sure to make an unforgettable impression.  

-Eri 

Gianfranco Ferre knit mini dress with caviar beading and crystals, c.1990's. 
Will fit modern size 2 to 4. 

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.

STRAP ONE ON!

Is there anything that can transform your look more spontaneously and dramatically than strapping on a wicked belt? Well something wicked this way has come into the hollowed walls of Decades and I say strap one on!  These belts all have one thing in common: black leather with gilt chain details and all from the 1980s.  These aren't belts for those who are afraid to be a little wicked.  As Maria McKee once sang "Ways to be Wicked" so make a bold statement from Ferre, Lacroix, Versace, or my personal favorite Monseur Anonyme.  Measurements have all been provided below and don't WAIST too much time since let the power of these belts transform you!

-Cameron

Christian Lacroix gold detail with chain balls marked size 65, measured 29 inches in length.SOLD

Anonymous thick leather with leopard and gold chain detail, measured 47 inches in length. SOLD

Gianfranco Ferre smooth leather with crystal medal detail, marked size 80/32, measured 39 inches in length.  SOLD

Gianni Versace gladiator belt, marked size 70/28, measured  32 inches in length.SOLD

Gianni Versace belt and bag, measured 36 inches in length. 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.

GOING GAGA FOR GAGA

Ok, ok . . . it's not like we're suggesting that you run out and buy a dress made out of meat or anything like that.

But, with Valentine's Day right around the corner, it doesn't hurt to snag a play or two out of Lady Gaga's fashion diaries. And again, it's not like we're suggesting that you rock a leather bathing suit to dinner at Gjelina either. But, you've got to admit Gaga's got something. After all, Thierry Mugler did tap mini-Madge to strut her stuff down his runway and if Mugler's on your team, then we're betting our bottom dollar on ya.

Though we can't quite put our finger on what we love so much about Gaga--maybe it's her fearless fashion sense or the way that she favors mostly black body-con clothing or maybe it's the way she injects humor into her sartorial sensibility--all we're saying is, why not rock a little Leger number or a fab Ferre frock on February 14th and bring the sexy back?

Wanna get Gaga's look? Here's a sample of pieces we pulled that evoke the precocious pop star.

Vintage Gianfranco Ferre black knit dress with golden metal bar cuffs.

Vintage Claude Montana asymmetrical black skirt with mesh hem.

Raphael Young black suede and gold crackle leather platform boots.

Valentino black leather rosette handbag.

SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR

Sunday in Buenos Aires it will be 47 degrees and rain is expected. Just because we are North of the equator doesn't mean we don't emphasize with those who are experiencing winter while we embrace the heat. At the same time, the monthly fashion bibles will be shipping their big September issues shortly filled with miraculous winter fashions and temptations, so no matter where you reside, we think a little cool weather fashion might just be right on time. This Gianfranco Ferre black wool sweater dress is body conscious, practical, and has a touch of gilt, in the form gold metal bars placed over each gold lurex cuff (the lurex peaks out between each gold bar). This is what we call a perfect dress for travel. Roll into your Tumi and wear it with boots for a boring board meeting and with heels and sexy hose (channel a Robert Palmer video vixen) to celebrate your promotion later in the evening!

Gianfranco Ferre black wool knit dress with lurex wrist and gold bar details, c. late 1980s. Marked size 42, modern 6 to 8

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.

RING AROUND THE BORDER

We really wish we could call this post "Ring Around the Collar" but that would be a false and malicious fashion statement! This Gianfranco Ferre jacket may feature a slew of fetish-tastic rings but they are on the front of the jacket's border. We all know Ferre was a master with leather. Remember that typical late 80s/early 90s silhouette of his tough leather pants with a massive gazar blouse? Well this Ferre jacket is tough on top and features a generous shoulder and sculptured midsection for a feminine and futuristic looking shape. Although it's more of a bolero than a jacket (it does not close in front), the jacket isn't cropped like most boleros (readers should know we are on a bolero kick of late), but rather skims the hips. This is one of those everyday pieces that can be worn in the day with jeans or at night with a sexy dress that shows off your legs. If you have fallen for Balmain-ia (haven't we all), you will get how a strong shouldered jacket is a must-have for your wardrobe. Thankfully, this jacket will cost less than a pair of Balmain jeans!

Gianfranco Ferre black leather with gold ring border jacket, c. early 1990s. Marked size 40, modern 6 to 8SOLD

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 EVERYTHING FROM THE 80S LOOKS LIKE TODAY'S BALMAIN

Most of you have grown accustomed to the fascination on current runways with 80s-inspired fashions exemplified by the exciting work of Christophe Decarnin at the House of Balmain, which should be called the House of Bling Bling, but we love it! However, not everything about teh 1980s was about bells and whistles. Many designers from the 80s favored simplistic and architectural designs such as Calvin Klein and Gianfranco Ferre, who is represented below. (For fashioninstas, yes, we know Ferre did his share of over the top of fashions, but for the sake of this argument, please indulge us!)

Talk about simple: an over-sized purple suede "tee shirt" dress with exaggerated sleeves that narrows at the hips. It may be from the early 80s, but it could be Phoebe Philo for Celine, considering her chic and minimal debut runway collection that left editors and buyers excited as someone was finally doing sensual day wear that was appropriate to wear without looking like a hooker. That's what this day dress does: it is chic and simply seamed; it is sensual (nothing feels yummier than suede); it is functional (tights and flat boots); it is appropriate (doesn't show excessive skin, yet is feminine); do we need to go on? Try it with a wide belt and give your suede tee a little "blouse" and it takes on an entierely new look.

Gianfranco Ferre for Giorgio purple suede tee-shirt dress, c. 1980s. Modern 4 to 6 SOLD

Shown with Anonymous leather and suede hip belt, c. 1980s 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.

Ferre's Corset-Chic Belt

Here at Decades, we're inundated with requests for belts by 1980s megadesigner Azzedine Alaia. While it's next to impossible to find those pieces today--smart girls know that a great Alaia belt is truly rare and worth holding on to--we are taken by the stylistic resemblence born in this belt by Gianfranco Ferre. Ferre, of course, catapulted to fame while at the helm of Dior, but pieces from his eponymous collection are in great demand today. We've included photos of the black leather corset belt, as well as a clipping from Italian Vogue showing the ever-charismatic Brooke Shields in head-to-toe Ferre (belt included!).




Gianfranco Ferre Black Leather Corset Belt with Geometric Contrast Stitching and Back Buckle, c. early 1980s. Fits a contemporary 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 8214½ 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.

DiOr CoooouTurtaLLY! LoLzerZ!

Our petits mains have been hard at work bringing you trunkloads of fine haute couture from the venerated house of Christian Dior! The first two pieces are sexy black evening dresses from the era of Marc Bohan in the 1980s. The third is from Gianfranco Ferre, a Lucile Ball-style dress with graceful long sleeves, an exquisite crinoline skirt, and gorgeous satin cuffs and oversize buttons. The last piece isn't haute couture, but it is a creation for Saks Fifth Avenue from Christian Dior's heyday in the 1950s. We belted it with a chic red belt from the designer who would be Mr. Dior's successor--Yves Saint Laurent.


Dior Haute Couture by Marc Bohan Black Silk Gown with Twisted Bodice Detail and Straps Embellished with Amber Stones, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD


Dior Haute Couture by Marc Bohan Black Taffeta Strapless Bustier Dress, c. 1980s. Label Missing. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.


Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre 1950s-Inspired Black Crepe Wool Dress with Crinoline Skirt and Satin Cuffs, c. late 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

Christian Dior Original for Saks Fifth Avenue Black Taffeta Dress with Pleated Shoulder Detail and Voluminous Skirt. Fits a contemporary size 6.SOLD

Shown with Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Red Lizard and Black Patent Belt with Silver Hardware, c. 1980s.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above.

Precious, Precious Ferre

Gianfranco Ferre is suddenly very collectable. Click on the photos below and you'll catch the exquisitely beaded gold trim and crystal body detail of this shift--you're guaranteed to light up the room!

Gianfranco Ferre Crystal and Gold Bead Embroidered Sleeveless Shift Dress, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 6 to 8. SOLD

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

Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre

Haute couture represents one of the most desirable pursuits for any fashionista. The recent passing of Gianfranco Ferre, who mastered the craft as creative director at Christian Dior, makes these gowns particularly relevant extremely collectable. The first is actually not a gown, but an evening ensemble: the black sleeveless top with an open back is actually a bodysuit worn beneath the rose colored tafetta skirt with dramatic train. The second dress also features an open back--formed this time by crossing shoulder straps--and a beautiful lace-trimmed slit in the side of the gown. Both pieces fit a contemporary size 4-6.

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre Evening Ensemble/Gown with Floral Detail, c. 1990 SOLD

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre Black Silk Chiffon Evening Gown with White Lace-Trimmed Slit, c. 1990.