PINKY HATTIE

Hattie Carnegie was a Viennese-born fashion entrepreneur who introduced many great Parisian Haute Couture names to her NYC clientele in the 1920s to 1950s, including Chanel and Vionnet.  Her eponymous label offered both made-to-measure as well as high end ready-to-wear, decades before luxury brands offered secondary lines.  This early 1950s dress was sold through Marshall Field & Company.  These dresses were popular with icons like Joan Crawford and the Duchess of Windsor.  Carnegie created quite the lifestyle brand - she offered everything from costume jewelry to chocolate.  Just don't get chocolate on this pink confection please!

 -Cameron

Hattie Carnegie for Marshall Field & Company pink lavender silk cocktail dress and wrap, c. 1950s.  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. 

GORGEOUS IN GALANOS

Some have turned their noses down at SoCal style, but if there's anyone in the world to turn the haters into lovers, it's James Galanos. Period. Galanos is perhaps single-handedly responsible for creating old school Hollywood Glam. Think luxurious fabrics and fur, exquisite draping, luscious fabrics, meticulous cuts and ornate detailing, such as his iconic gilded butterfly.

Personally, I love Galanos' rags to riches story, which proves that hard work, belief in one's self, and following your heart's desire to be creative pays off. Turns out, taste and elegance can come from Jersey. Shoresters, take note. Here's a few fun fashion facts from the life and work of James Galanos:

Galanos first arrived on our sunny shores as a youngster determined to make a name for himself in fashion. After a dissapointing start in New York as a clerical assistant in sartorial salon of Hattie Carnegie (Pauline Triegère and Norman Norell got their start at Carnegie's), Galanos moved to L.A. to design for a husband and wife team, the Lesavoys. Sadly, the duo divorced and Galanos lost his gig.

Of course, if you're having on trouble on 7th Avenue, there's just may be a place for you on Sunset. Jean Louis, head designer at Columbia Pictures, hired Galanos to sketch ensembles for pictures. He then traveled to Paris, working for Robert Piguet. After another frustrating try at designing in New York, where Galanos was let down by design positions which didn't encourage him to express himself creatively, the upstart up and hightailed it back to Tinseltown and launched a line of his own. Upon seeing Galanos' creations, which looked haute couture though were pret-a-porter pieces pronounced that Galanos would soon be a household name.

And he was because the movies came calling again. Galanos designed ensembles for icons such as Rosalind Russell, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor not to mention Grace Kelly and Marlene Deitrich who sought Galanos' "glamour quotient".

And frankly, who doesn't need a little glamour sprinkled like fairy dust into their lives. Even if you don't have a photo opportunity in your immediate future, this dress is guaranteed to make you feel as your life is one red carpet that you're meant to float down and through, always gracious, elegant and of course, glamourous.

Isn't he inspiring? Both the man and his clothes give a gal reason to seek the stars. Perfect for our town.

--Lizzy

James Galanos vintage black duchess satin halter gown, c. late 50s/early 60s. Modern size: Approximately 2/4. SOLD

ANIMAL FARM

Decades is a virtual Animal Farm right now. We have so many eclectic enamel cuffs ranging from elephants to snakes. These 1970s-era cuffs all pay an homage to the work of David Webb, but these are all faux-bling designed by a myriad of jewelers including Ciner, Hattie Carnegie and, don't laugh, Joan Rivers! The original owner bought tons of KJL so many of these pieces may be vintage and unsigned KJL, too. Scroll down for pictures and brief descriptions.

Anonymous elephant copper enamel bangle with ruby, emerald, and diamond details, c. 1970s SOLD

Anonymous elephant black enamel bangle with orange, emerald and diamond details, c. 1970s (this one is quite heavy compared to the other)

Anonymous lioness black enamel bangle with emerald eyes and diamond details, c. 1970s SOLD

Ciner lioness white enamel bangle with ruby eyes and diamond details, c. 1970s 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.

Hattie Carnegie ram blue and green bangle, c. 1970s SOLD

Anonymous parakeet enamel bangle in green and blue, c. 1970s (detail shot below) SOLD

Craft double ram gold metal bangle with black enamel details, c. 1970s SOLD

Anonymous double fish gold metal bangle with ruby eyes and diamond details. c. 1970s (spring mechanism) 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.

Anonymous horse black enamel bangle with ruby eyes and amethyst detail, c. 1970s

Ciner horse black enamel bangle with ruby eyes and emerald detail, c. 1970s

Anonymous double frog black enamel bangle with emerald eyes plus ruby and diamond details, c. 1970s

Ciner dolphin rust bangle with diamond details (some crystals missing), c. 1970s.

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.

Joan Rivers articulated snake orange and brown enamel bangle, c. 1980s (yes, Joan Rivers, but not QVC!) SOLD

Joan Rivers serpent blue enamel bangle with gold pattern, c. 1970s 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.