THE RE-LAUNCH OF A LEGENDARY AMERICAN FASHION HOUSE

The iconic American Fashion House of Irene has been re-launched with a wonderful second collection for Spring/Sumer 2014. With Greg LaVoi at the lead, the collection is an important step in the right direction; to preserve heritage houses which seems to be a challenge for most now non-existent houses of the likes of Galanos, Scaasi, Trigere and Geoffrey Beene.
At Decades we have always cherished American designers and the influence they had in fashion worldwide. Finding an original Irene has always been a lesson in long lost techniques with couture-standard quality. The re-laucnch of the House of Irene, continues to sustain the true art of American Luxury and here is to hoping more legendary American fashion houses will follow suit.
To view the new Irene collection click here.
-Eri

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.

MAD ABOUT IRENE

Irene Lentz dressed some of the greatest film icons of the 20th century:

Ginger Rogers

Hedy Lamar

Claudette Colbert

Carole Lombard

Ingrid Bergman

Loretta Young

Doris Day

Lana Turner.

If the icons above aren't endorsement enough that Irene Lentz knew how to design a great dress, what could be better than a ménage a trois of Irene's custom gowns that were made for a family friend and are now available at Decades.   All three dresses are a modern size 8 to a small 10 and exude the glamour of Irene's designs from the 1940s and 1950s.

The black satin evening gown gathers at the waist with a dramatic bustle.  Just add diamonds.  The black satin scoop evening dress with bronze floral skirt is minimal but with maximum sophistication.  Finally, the sari silk turquoise cocktail dress with silver embroidery is patiently awaiting Mad Men's Christina Hendricks to make it come to life.  I am mad for these dresses, no pun attended.

-Cameron

Irene black silk satin evening dress, c. 1950s.  Modern size 8 to small 10 SOLD
Irene black silk satin evening dress w/ bronze floral skirt, c. 1950s  Modern size 8 to 10 SOLD
Irene turquoise sari silk cocktail dress, c. 1950s Modern size 8 to small 10 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.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM DECADES!

Here are some snapshots of our Holiday windows. They are festive and colorful featuring two amazing dresses from the 50's from the Olivier estate. The black velvet ensemble is from Irene Lentz who made costumes for Ginger Rogers and Lana Turner in the 40's and the velvet dress in magenta is Traina-Norell. Celebrating these amazing American designers we wanted to celebrate fashion, old and new! Here's to a New Year filled with abundance, joy and treasured moments!
-Eri and Jarred
















Irene black velvet ensemble withmink fur sleeves, c.1950's. Modern size 4 to 6 SOLD
Traina-Norell velvet dress in magenta with mink fur collar and cuffs, c.1950's Modern size 4 to 6

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.

C'MON IRENE

Irene Lentz, better known simply as Irene, was an acclaimed multi Academy Award nominated costume designer for stars such as Ginger Rogers, Hedy Lamarr, Ingrid Bergman, and most famously for Lana Turner's midriff-baring and turban wearing wardrobe for The Postman Always Rings Twice. Irene also designed custom gowns for Bullock's Wilshire and this oyster satin gown with flocked floral motif is a spectacular example of Irene's designs of the 40s and 50s. Her costumes were notoriously costly and the gown below cost a small fortune when it was designed for the original owner in the late 1940s. Irene continued with costume design in the 1950s (often for Doris Day) but also concentrated on her successful boutique business. She took her life in 1962 and will be remembered for bringing glamour to fashion on and off screen. To learn more about Irene, go to http://www.irene-lentz.com/ where her great grand niece shares many historical photos, sketches, and anecdotes about this 20th Century fashion legend.

Irene outstanding custom couture oyster satin and flocked pink and olive velvet evening gown, c. late 1940s. 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.