HOT AND HAUTE

Madame Gres, Pierre Balmain, Jacques Fath (times two), and Christian Dior. All Hot and all Haute. Details posting in the next week or so....just a tease of the latest arrivals!

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.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

This dress is so Cyndi Lauper she-bopping in one of her memorable 80s music videos that seemed to be in perpetual rotation on MTV when MTV actually played music videos. Made of ruched hot pink taffeta, this strapless cha-cha-cha Pierre Balmain dress has flamenco-friendly tiers which are all edged in a contrast of black. With the Cannes Film Festival just around this corner, the Cote D'Azur is calling for a sunset of frivolity on someone's yacht where this dress will be the perfect reveler's attire.

Pierre Balmain pink taffeta strapless cha-cha-cha dress. 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.

ELEMENTARY

Sherlock Holmes may be synonymous with capes, but it doesn't mean he has a sartorial exclusive on this versatile garment. Pierre Balmain has had many incarnations from 1950s Haute Couture to today's rocker pret a porter. The cream knit 1970s double cape is from the label's "boutique" brand and is a timeless and effective year round addition to the fashionista's closet. The pleated knit avoids wrinkling and we love the web tonal trim. We picture this worn in early fall with a cashmere-silk turtleneck, skinny blue jeans tucked into flat boots, and a large hobo bag swung over your shoulder. Because of the light color, revisit this cape in early spring and wear it with a great hippie couture floral print dress that won't get swallowed over an alternative coat. Perfect for traveling, this is a cape for strolling...just the way chic Parisian women always manage to have a cape on when window shopping on the Rue Faubourg Saint Honore. Capes are practical. Spread the word....it's elementary!

Pierre Balmain cream knit pleated cape with tonal web trim, c. 1970s. Free size 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

White Knight

A vision in white! The first gown was designed by Oscar de Larenta for Balmain Haute Couture for the Spring/Summer 1997 collection. It is constructed of white silk satin with a partial black floral print design. The top of the gown is a bustier that has been pleated in the back and has two black gros grain ribbon straps. Along with the gown there is a white crinoline underskirt constructed of tulle flounces to give the skirt some volume. When we put this piece on the mannequin everyone began rubbing their eyes with amazement. This is a very special gown that should be worn to a very special event.

The second gown is by Bob Mackie. This gown is a pleated one shoulder constructed of cream chiffon with a bugle bead detail around the bust. the back of the gown dips down in a V shape to a central zipper. A strip of cream chiffon drips down the the back of the left shoulder creating a very dramatic flow when seen from behind. Both of these gowns were not created for the mundane, they were made for the extraordinary, and should be thought of as such. Also, they appear to have never been worn, as they are in immaculate condition!

Balmain silk satin with black floral print and gros grain, spring/summer1997. contemporary size 4. SOLD

Bob Mackie cream chiffon pleated one shoulder gown, c.1980's. 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 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.

TANGERINE DREAM

You may have seen this vintage Pierre Balmain Haute Couture gown in the current March 2008 issue of In Style. It's Cameron Silver's pick for favorite vintage gown for the Oscars. This degrade chiffon evening gown is a rare catwalk sample which is stamped "Pierre Balmain Genevieve" (likely named for the model for whom it was made) as well as additional labels "411-Aurora" and "Barbara 411" who were likely the petites mains who made the gown. This intoxicating gown starts off peach and gradually takes on a stronger tangerine shade closer to the hem. We adore the chiffon train with ostrich feather trim, too.

Pierre Balmain Haute Couture tangerine gown c early 1970s. SOLD!

Attack of the Little Black Dress

If there's one thing you probably don't need, it's another little black dress, right? Well... tough luck. These stunning couture selections from Chanel and Pierre Balmain are some of the finest specimens we've ever seen--you must have them.

We love the modern cut and unusal vertical slits of this Pierre Balmain black wool crepe haute couture cocktail dress. Balmain is on the rise again--we recommend that readers check out contemporary selections from the Balmain Ivoire line (it's available at Ron Herman-Melrose here in LA). For something quintessentially chic, though, Chanel is the way to go. The grey linen dress pictured below isn't technically a little black dress, but the vibe is the same; what a classy way to flash some skin! LBD purists may prefer the other Chanel, a bias-cut V-neck in wool crepe with asymmetric buttons down the black and sheer triangular hem. Each dress fits a contemporary size 4.

Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Wool Crepe Dress with Vertical Slits, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Grey Linen Cocktail Dress with Sheer Tulle Panel, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Black Wool Crepe Cocktail Dress with Asymmetric Buttons and Sheer Paneled Hem, c. 1980s SOLD

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

ANGELINA JOLIE IN VINTAGE PIERRE BALMAIN HAUTE COUTURE

Here is the Mighty couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the premiere of "A Might Heart" in Cannes. Angelina is wearing a vintage Chantilly lace late 50s Pierre Balmain Haute Couture cocktail dress from Decades. As always, the couple looks beautiful. We can't wait to see this film as Dede Gardner, another Decades client, is co-producer of this film with Brad Pitt. Congratulations to Angie, Brad, and Dede....

LOVE LUREX

Here are two fresh mod choices for spring and summer party options in lurex knit from the 1960s. These can be worn as minis or as tunics. And they will work in the fall with tights and boots. Plus super easy for travel and on trend...but aren't we always ahead of trend here at DECADES? Pierre Balmain Tricot lurex knit tunic/mini with side slits c 60s. Free Size SOLD

Anonymous French silver lurex tunic mini with bell sleeves and gathered waist. Free size SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223

Balmain Violet Goddess

Remember the store Fred Heyman and it's earlier incarnation Giorgio on Rodeo Drive? Well this dress was purchased there and it's just a perfect one shoulder goddess gown in deep violet jersey with a fantastic swag. The last Balmain lasted a few minutes on this blog, so act fast!

Pierre Balmain Ivoire for Fred Heyman Violet Goddess Gown c late 80s Marked Size 36 SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223