GARDEN IN THE DESERT

As we mentioned in an earlier post and if you have seen our windows lately, it is all about Yves Saint Laurent. With Hedi Slimane recently revealing he will bring back couture at YSL and the name change for the ready-to-wear into Saint Laurent Paris, with his menswear and women's cruise 2013 collection going on show only to buyers, the anticipation is palpable. For decades Yves Saint Laurent was one of the world's most prominent couturiers, and from the house's golden couture days we bring this luxurious caftan style gown. It is indeed a masterpiece. From the chiffon flowing to the lavender and green print reminiscent of the Majorelle Garden which was both home and source of inspiration for Yves, this piece shows the genius of imagination within the framework of one simple shape. 

Inspired by what was only supposed to be for the husband's eyes, since a caftan like this had to be covered by a djellaba outside the home, Saint Laurent transformed and adopted north African vibes into 

modern and sensual creations. Here is something to cherish as we wait to see what will the new couture days of YSL be. Own it and wear it somewhere special.

-Eri  

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture chiffon caftan green and lavender floral print, c.1970's. Modern size 4 to 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.

YVES SAINT LAURENT THEN AND NOW

This month we are celebrating all things Yves Saint Laurent with our vibrant display of Vintage and modern YSL pieces.  Whether you find yourself gallivanting through the gardens of Marrakech in a silk chiffon caftan created by Mr. Saint Laurent, or making your grand entrance at one of the soon to be renamed Yves Saint Laurent boutiques in a Pilati jumpsuit or Ford masterpiece, the message from YSL is consistent.  Mr. Saint Laurent had an affinity for the essence of femininity, noting his subtle highlights of her features from backless couture gowns to the dramatic bows he would place along the neck and lower back to highlight the erogenous zones of his many adoring fans.  You will find one of a kind Rive Gauche Haute Couture pieces hand embroidered at Lesage and some of the last pieces of the era’s of Ford and Pilati adorning our shelves.  We invite you in to see the magnificence that is Yves Saint Laurent and pay homage to one of the greatest designers I had the privilege of working for.  While the house may be changing its name, it is clear from our beautiful collection that what was YSL and will always be Yves Saint Laurent will remain timeless and should find a place in your closet before one of our adoring collectors takes it home before you. 

-Geoffrey

YSL Haute Couture chiffon caftan in lime, c.1980's. Modern size 4 to 8. SOLD

YSL Haute Couture chiffon floral print caftan, c.1980's. Modern size 4 to 8. SOLD

Stefano Pilati for YSL black and red jumpsuit, cruise 2011. Modern size 6. SOLD

Tom Ford for YSL blouse with ties front and sleeves in black, c. 2000. Modern size 4.

Tom Ford for YSL velvet skirt with fringe detail in black, c.2000. 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.

YSL AND JPG THROUGH THE DECADES

Thank you style.com for the shout out on our special Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier offerings that we have available currently on our website decadestwo1. Browse Decades collection of these two legendary French designers and I am sure you will find something extraordinary to add to your closet.

-Eri

SAY YES TO YVES

Searching for the perfect party dress can give a gal pause. Personally, I'm so over the LBD. I mean, I get it. Wearing a cute little black frock works in variety of haunts and environs, making it easy to go from casual cocktails to some dangerous and decadent after-hours.

But, fashion isn't about playing it safe. Fashion is about taking risks, not fading into the back ground but shining like the star you are, whoever you are. So, my pick for the all-time best party dress ever is this Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture number. Crafted with an eye-catching sky blue silk taffeta and black lace skirt, this dress is so fabulous that it's bound to make all the other dresses in the room très jealouse. Who can blame them.

I want to wear this dress everywhere I go: to drinks, to dinner, and to the bank, which is where it will probably wind up taking you. In my opinion, you can never be overdressed, if the dress is a YES.

As I'm sure you know, Yves Saint Laurent's retrospective opens this weekend at the Denver Art Museum this weekend. In honor of museum show, we've just posted a plethora of Yves Saint Laurent, from Haute Couture to Rive Gauche on our website moments ago.

In the mood to peruse seminal pieces, not to mention this amazing dress from the definitive French designer? Click HERE!

PARTY HOPPING

There is a reason why this Cocteau drawing is here...read on!

I am about to begin some continent hoping which is why we have all been a little lazy with updating the blog this week. Tonight, our windows are revealed at the Stephen Webster boutique on Rodeo Drive with a cocktail party from 7 to 10 pm. You are all invited but you must RSVPBH@STEPHENWEBSTER. Under my "creative direction", Art Director Jeff Snyder and Decades Icon Jarred Cairns have designed windows inspired by Guy Bourdin featuring gowns from Decades and jewels from Stephen Webster in a dramatic tableaux plus installation upstairs. Then it's off to Toronto to speak at TIFF on Grace Kelly's style on Monday. Quick pit stop Tuesday to NYC for a few hours (and a haircut) then off to Hong Kong for dinner to celebrate Solange Azagury-Partridge's new Hong Kong boutique. Next weekend I am Shanghai doing a story for C Magazine which will tell you where to go, eat, and shop for a fashionable weekend in the city. Last stop in Singapore, where Christos will join me for our first Spore trunk show. We've been busy boxing up Alaia, Chanel, and the most epic collection of YVES SAINT LAURENT HAUTE COUTURE that will make our Singapore clients go GAGA! Aside from all the travel, I have been buying such good things lately that Eri will post while I am traveling. Wait till you see the Alex&Lee pieces (remember we had a trunk show for Lee years ago and favored the amazing jewelery long before Proenza Schouler). We have some edgy 80s Jean Paul Gaultier pieces (mad for the red leather swing trench coat) as well as gowns galore for award season. A bunch of Hermes bags came in too (Constance, Kelly, and a few Market bags that I HEART). Okay enough bragging about how fabu everything is and let's comment on three Decades clients looking amazing as they are party hopping around the world.

Maria Bell is a spectacular philanthropist and art collector (not to mention her amazing work on "Young and the Restless") and we are so lucky she lives in Los Angeles. Here she is photographed with Eli Broad wearing vintage Thea Porter and a Judith Leiber belt (from Decades of course!) while celebrating with royals from The Kingdom of Morocco during Miami Basel. You look gorgeous and thank you for making LA a more amazing city!

Heidi Klum is wearing a vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture LBD from Decades in Washington DC at the International Hall of Fame Awards ceremony held by the International Women’s Forum . Heidi received a Hall of Fame Award. Mazel Tov to Heidi and this dress is en route to Singapore as part of the ultimate collection from Madame X.

Chloe and her mother Raphaelle Cassens attended the opening of the Musee Jean Cocteau, Collection Severin Wunderman in Menton France on November 6th. Her Yves Saint Laurent necklace and Helmut Lang dress were both purchased at Decades. She chose the necklace because Chloe's grandfather, Severin Wunderman donated over 1800 works of art, making the museum possible. The YSL necklace is inspired the Cocteau drawing above. And now you understand why I put the drawing at the start of this post!

-Cameron

JULIANNA MARGULIES IN VINTAGE YSL HC!

Golden Globe nominee Julianna Margulies looks stunning in a classic strapless vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture gown of black bodice with draped soft pink skirt from your faithful friends at Decades!

Hide and Seek

In the early 1980's Yves Saint Laurent hid a gem somewhere on this gorgeous Haute Couture gown. Can you spot the gem? We will give you a hint, "as the tail wags, the dress shall shine." Did you figure it out? Fine, the gem is hidden on the lower back; look at the last picture in this post. The gown is fashioned from aqua silk satin and has a crew neck, long sleeves, and a sultry drop waist. The pièce de résistance is the large slit down the back of the gown that reveals a single strand of crystals. Hanging from the center of the strand is a large clear gem, and what woman doesn't like being surprised with gems? This gown is perfect for one of those once-a-year extremely glamorous balls... Perhaps something like the Met Ball, which we believe is coming up rather soon!

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture aqua silk satin dress with hidden gem, c. 1980

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.

On the Fringe

If you were unable to make it to the Decades/MOCA fashion show and fundraiser, this is an opportunity so see what you've missed. This gown received a round of applause as it came down the runway (no surprise there). This fuchsia fringe work of art comes from Yves Saint Laurent and is Haute Couture. The gown is a one shoulder belted Grecian style gown that has been trimmed with long strands of silk satin fringe. As you can see from the first picture, the movement of this gown is amazing!

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture fuchsia one shoulder fringe gown, c. 1970s. 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.

Don't tread on ME!

Technically, this is a YSL Haute Couture belt, but it is a tiny belt. The previous owner wore the belt as a necklace, this is why we have the piece shown on a necklace display. The construction of this piece is truly amazing. In the center of the belt is a metal chain that runs the length of the piece. Strung on the chain are hundreds of concave metal pieces with scalloped edges that create a scale effect. The articulation of this piece is fantastic, it moves like liquid gold.

YSL Haute Couture metal belt/necklace, c.1970's. Size 28" 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.