THE BLING RING

Coco Chanel famously declared that before you leave the house take one piece of jewelry off. She may have been right but the opposite works as well. If you pile up lots of pieces that you love, they will find harmony and make a statement. Play up your face this fall with oversized jewelry to bring the attention where it is needed. With collector pieces like these from Chanel to Eisenberg, you can never go wrong. 

-Eri 

Gripoix flower pin in purple and green glass stone, c.1980's. 

Kenneth Jay Lane KJL brooch with glass stones, c. 1980's. 

Chanel pin with Gripoix stones, 1993. 

Eisenberg peacock pin sterling silver with purple Swarovski stone, c.1940's. 

Eisenberg peacock pin sterling silver with blue Swarovski stone, c. 1940's. 

Karl Lagerfeld flower pin with pearl trim, c.1980's. 

Chanel charm belt, 1993. Length 29". 

Chanel chain and leather belt, c.1990's. Length 34". 

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.

KARL LAGERFELD'S LEGS

Have you ever seen Karl Lagerfeld wear shorts? I didn’t think so. If he did I would imagine he would add sheer panels to each leg to give the illusion of modesty. Now this Lagerfeld design may have a sheer panel but it isn’t modest…it’s super sexy. A black crepe one shoulder mini with jet bead trim and pattern inserts is made all the more dramatic by adding the chiffon swag over the one shoulder and from the skirt hem to the ankle. Not modest, but certainly sexy. As for Karl in shorts…don’t hold your breath.
-Cameron

Karl Lagerfeld one shoulder black crepe dress with chiffon swag and hem, c. 1980s.  Modern size 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.

DECADES FASHION FACT: COOL IN CHLOE

I dunno about you, but I'm crazy for Chloé. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, who sensed in a gap in the market between Haute Couture and off-the-rack plain-jane clothing, Chloé from the jump, was a high-end line of soft, exquisitely made feminine clothing with luxe fabrics that didn't conform to Haute Couture rules and regulations but were fashionable well-made clothes that made the woman who couldn't quite afford Dior, stand out in a crowd.

Allegedly, Gaby called this new type of catagory "pret-a-porter". (Who knew she coined the phrase? Btw, Chloé's pret-a-porter lines were so successful, that the couturiers quickly introduced their own versions, with Givenchy being the first to hop on the P-a-P train, with the Givenchy University collection in 1956.) Chloé also made it their business to work with wunderkind designers such as Maxime de la Falaise and Michèle Rosier.

In the mid-60s, Chloé started working with a young upstart designer from Germany, Karl Lagerfeld, maybe you've heard the name. (wink) Several luminous ladies such as Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas and Grace Kelly sported Karl's Chloé clothing.

In 1985, Chloé is purchased by the Richemont Group. They continue to hire top-tier talent, such as Martine Stibon. Eventually, in 1997 Stella McCartney is hired to helm the brand. McCartney takes the brand back to it's roots with feminine coquette-ish clothing and accessories. since McCartney's departure in 2001 to run her own label, today's major design players have worked for the brand including Phoebe Philo and Hannah MacGibbon. Upon MacGibbon's claim of the reins, Chloe Sevigny signs the dotted line and becomes a spokeswoman for the house. It is this pairing, not to mention the shared name, which inspired the Decades online team to post Chloe clothing yesterday followed by clothing by Chloé today.

Personally, I have my eye on a vintage Chloé cream skirt with tiered lace at the hem; though a vintage navy dress with embroidery is also calling my name. Sigh. Decisions, decisions.

To shop our specially-picked grouping of vintage and modern Chloé, click here. For a preview, dig the pieces below.

--Lizzy

Vintage Chloé navy dress with embroidery

Vintage Chloé cream skirt with lace hem

Modern Chloé black dress with deep V-neck

Modern Chloé dress with metallic paillette paisley designs

PURPLE TOGA

This is our favorite dress at Decades right now. A great purple asymmetric, one-shoulder draped chiffon Karl Lagerfeld cocktail dress that shows off good arms, good shoulders, a good back, and good gams. It's a perfect dress to personalize with a great sash belt at the waist, wonderful jewelry, and show-off shoes. Plus, everyone looks amazing in purple!

Karl Lagerfeld for Fred Heyman purple chiffon one shoulder cocktail dress, c, late 1980s. Marked 38, contemporary 4 (narrow ribcage). 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.

KARL BY KARL

Does Karl Lagerfeld design EVERY collection? There's his brilliant work at Chanel since 1983, the furs at Fendi, the previous H&M capsule collection, his past work at Chloe, and then: there's Karl by Karl. Ironically, Mr. Lagerfeld is less well known for his one namesake designs than for designs using the codes of other brands.

Well, when left up to his own devices, Kaiser Karl CAN turn it out and here is an example in tomato red chiffon. The strapless dress features a draped bustier with a center knot and the seams of the top create a corset triangle effect. The asymmetric skirt features three layers: first a fitted knee-length foundation covered by a "saloon singer" tulip-shaped tier under a shorter hip-length top layer. This is another great dress with movement that looks fantastic coming and going.


Karl Lagerfeld tomato red strapless chiffon "saloon" dress, c late 1980s. Marked size 40, modern size 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.

WHAT YOU WANT TO WEAR RIGHT NOW

Here are two very chic dresses from the 1980s designed by Karl Lagerfeld and Carolina Herrara, respectively. They are perfect for day (we mean you can wear these today!), but can easily transition to nighttime. They are also the type of dresses you can wear with tights and boots, so when it's cold outside, these dresses work well with layers. As you transition to spring (yes, spring will come...we promise our friends who are surrounded by less than ideal weather conditions) these dresses will again be perfect as they aren't too heavy and can be worn with bare legs and ballet flats, too. Karl Lagerfeld 80s mustard wool crepe shift mini dress with optional elongated jacket. Contemporary 4 - 6 SOLD

Carolina Herrera 80s wool mini dress with "Original Sample" label red v neck long sleeve bodice attached to heather grey mini. Modern size 4 SOLD

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

Sporty Sexy Chic

Well, friends, the marvelous summer of 2007 is drawing to a close. It's been a good one for us. And while we're already feeling misty-eyed as the fall collections hit the racks, we're here to remind you that summer isn't over just yet! You still have two glorious weeks of fun in the sun to rock vintage kicks from master designer (and compulsive tanorexic) Karl Lagerfeld!

Perhaps you've been busy shopping for back-to-school clothes for the kids. Why not send them off with an early geometry lesson in Chloé? Both of these pieces date to Karl's tenure at the house, where he seems to have been fascinated by wavy lines, obtuse triangles, and grids of rectangular paneling. The first dress is feather-light in green silk, while the second--a sexy high-neck halter with plunging back--features an almost athletic viscose blend.


Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld Green Geometric Print Silk Summer Gown, c. late 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld Shades of Midnight Vicose Mesh Halter Dress, c. late 1970s. Marked size 38; fits a contemporary size 4.

Decades also found this chic Karl Lagerfeld creation from the 1980s to whisk you into fall. In navy silk plisse, it's a bit more appropriate for an autumn soiree; but with a halter neck and sheer leg panel, it's still got a touch of summer.

Karl Lagerfeld Midnight Silk Plisse Halter with Sheer Chiffon Leg Panel and Textured Striping, c. early 1980s. Marked size 40; fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

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

Crazy for Karl!

No no, not that one...

Yes, that one.

Whether it's his high-flying designs for Chanel from the 1980s or the whimsical looks crafted for Chloe in the 1970s, we can never quite get our fill of the fashion diety Karl Lagerfeld. That's why we were tickled to stumble upon this outrageous piece from his eponymous collection--a rarity in the vintage world. The silver mirrored applique on the bust would make Barbarella green with envy. Can you imagine a sexier dress? Fits a size four, but features a generous bust.

Karl Lagerfeld Barbarella-Inspired Halter Dress with Mirrored Applique, c. 1980s SOLD

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

Chloe goes PM

Karl Lagerfeld's designs for Chloe in the 70s helped establish this house as a go-to for the glam and jet set. This nude halter gown with bugle bead on crepe also has a deco looking swag belt and a very convenient wrap. It's something we imagine Faye Dunaway wearing down the red carpet at the premiere of Network. It's a contemporary size 4.

Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld 70s halter gown. SOLD

For further information or to purchase please email blog@decadesinc.com or phone 323 655 0223.

Gorgeous Chanel

With Holiday parties chocking up your social calendar for the next three weeks you are going to be hunting for perfect frocks for each. Whether is cocktail, black-tie or even more casual Decades has the answer for each dress-code dilemma!

This Chanel Boutique by Karl Lagerfeld early 80s one shoulder evening gown is the pick of the season for your black-tie New Year's ball. It is made of black silk taffeta faille, with a wide waist band and full skirt. The dress comes with the petticoat which has a horsehair band and the gown is sized at a 4/6. It is perfect because of its clean lines, classic silhouette and dramatic appearance. Such a tasteful and beautiful choice for a night on the town. SOLD


For further information or to purchase please contact alexander@decadesinc.com

Lagerfeld for Chanel

While many women come to us in search of a classic Chanel blazer or suit, it is typical that they want boucle with special buttons and a jacket that is obviously vintage but can be interpreted with modern flair.

Then there is Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. He found it his calling to interpret the classic Chanel jacket, and modernize it he did. In 1994 he came out with this faux-fur coat which acts as a visual play on the original blazers. SOLD


It appears to have the four pockets on the front, it has the Chanel lining as you can see, and the signature gold chain weights around the hem of the jacket. Just a fun piece for the true Chanel fanatic. And if you are crazy about Chanel you can always wear a more classically inspired Chanel blazer below this version.

For more information or to purchase please contact alexander@decadesinc.com