CHOCOLATE LOVE

We are having a chocolate craving at Decades today. The only way to satiate the craving is with these two 70s era chocolate leather Hermes bags that are classic staples in any modern woman's wardrobe. The best thing about Hermes bags in chocolate is that they are calorie-free; and consequently, won't add anything you don't want to your "lady lumps."

Hermes chocolate boxed calf classic Constance I Circle Stamp for 1979 (reconditioned by Hermes Beverly Hills, some surface scratches associated with box calf leather)SOLD

Hermes chocolate boxed calf classic 28 cm Kelly D Circle Stamp for 1974

(reconditioned by Hermes Beverly Hills, in excellent vintage collection, no shoulder strap)SOLD

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

MINTY HALSTON

When we first purchased this deadstock Halston classic wrap gown made for I. Magnin, we were struck by the unusual color: mint with iridescent sequins. It is not a typical color one finds in evening wear and it is offset further by the use of a celadon silk satin sash. Strange and unusual company, no? But that's precisely what we love!

The long sleeve gown includes all the classic Halston details from the 1970s: sexy V neck plunge front; gathered waist which functions as the wrap effect of the dress; and an elegant rounded hem with come hither leg opening. We've been selling our Halston like crazy lately, so act fast, if you want to add a little mint into your life.

Halston 70s mint sequin long sleeve gown. Marked size 10. Modern 6 to 8 - SOLD

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

LEONARD GOES SEXY!

Leonard dresses tend to be a bit demure, but this 1980s ode to Emanuel Ungaro, combines the beauty of Leonard's signature floral prints with the va-va-voom of a sexy strapless ruched dress. The silk jersey gathers seductively across the hips to give your body a feminine shape.
Leonard floral silk jersey gathered bustier dress a la Emanuel Ungaro c 1980s. Modern size 6 - SOLD

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE BY TRIGERE

We are pretty mad for this 1960s Pauline Trigere "two-fer". "What's a 'two-fer'," you ask? Well a "two-fer" means you get TWO things for the price of one. This Trigere white brocade opera coat has it's coordinating white cocktail dress with obi sash which makes it a "two-fer."

This is no ordinary "two-fer" though as the opera coat has the most divine over sized Swarovski crystals trimming the interior edge of the coat. How chic is that? The luxury of the crystals are really hidden and revealed only when you open the coat. We love the white on white brocade, too. It makes the coat season-less, since the fabric is not too heavy for spring.



Pauline Trigere 60s white brocoade coat and dress with obi sash. Modern size 6 - 8 SOLD

GRACE JONES CALLED AND SHE WANTS HER ALAIA BACK

Confession: This is not Grace Jones' Alaia. But it's pretty iconic in its design. The aubergine viscose jersey dress features an exaggerated cowl back that doubles as a hood. All the signature Alaia details are here from the body conscious design to the snap closure on the defined waist. A dress like this doesn't require much description, but it does require an "ace" body to make this Alaia come to life.
Alaia aubergine silky viscose hooded dress. Shown on size 4 mannequin (size label removed) c 1980s SOLD

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

Hermes, White Now!

The timing is white, er, right for a white Hermes Birkin in Clemence Leather. Why, when it's a perfectly sunny day in Los Angeles and it's still February, we say bring on the spring and summer accessories. Now we know we have clients from Kiev to Kuwait and not all of you are experiencing the kind of glorious day we are experiencing here at Decades in Los Angeles, but we promise to spread a little sunshine if you spend a little on this here Birkin!

Hermes 30 cm white Clemence Birkin J stamp for 2006. Virtually unused, box not included. SOLD

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

Lisa Perry Accessories Collection

Hello, readers! With another Hollywood awards season behind us, we hardly know what to do with ourselves. Relieved? Totally. Wistful? A bit. Relaxed? Never! Spring is on the way, and we know you're clamoring for the next big thing.

Or little thing, as it were. Take these fabulous Lisa Perry accessories, for instance! Decades is the only place in Los Angeles to buy the designer's eponymous collection of fluorescent shifts and shiny accessories, like the pieces listed below (we're already planning our weekend around the trasparent beach tote with conveniently labeled pockets). For more information about Lisa Perry, email blog@decadesinc.com or call 323.655.0223.

Lisa Perry Patent Leather Hoop Purse, $495.
Lisa Perry Patent Leather Baby Hoop Purse, $375.
Lisa Perry Patent Leather Grab Clutch, $250.
Lisa Perry Patent Leather Oversize Stretch Clutch, $395.

Lisa Perry Patent Leather Hoop Purse, $495.

Lisa Perry Totally Cute Clear Beach Bag, $395.

ELLEN PAGE IN VINTAGE JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER HAUTE COUTURE FROM DECADES

Here is the marvelous Academy Award nominee for Best Actress, Ellen Page, in vintage Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture from Decades at the 80th Academy Awards. Her metal and metallic leather hard frame purse is vintage Judith Leiber from the early 1980s and is also from Decades, too. To learn more about this very chic Haute Couture gown, read the blog listing below

We are so proud of you and you look gorgeous! Happy 21st Birthday, too!

JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER HAUTE COUTURE

Although Jean-Louis Scherrer may not be as popular a Parisian fashion name as his contemporaries like Yves Saint Laurent, with whom he worked at Christian Dior, we are particularly fond of Scherrer's work from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Once one of the most profitable Haute Couture houses, Scherrer isn't what it it used to be, but we love what is used to be! Here is a brief history of the house:

A native of Paris, Jean-Louis Scherrer studied ballet before he entered the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne to study fashion. He worked as an assistant to Christian Dior (1955-1957) and learned cutting and draping alongside a young Yves Saint Laurent. After the death of Christian Dior, he worked for Yves Saint Laurent for 2 years. He would work at Louis Feraud for another 2 years (1959-1961) and eventually, founded the Jean-Louis Scherrer label in 1962.

His early training in ballet will influence his designs, both for couture and ready-to-wear. Jean-Louis Scherrer collections had been described as elegant and sophisticated, sexy without being vulgar. During the height of his popularity, Jean-Louis Scherrer dressed the rich and famous, their names almost synonymous with the best dressed list. His clientele included Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch for the Hollywood set, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, Ann Getty and Queen Noor of Jordan.

In 1992, he left the company he founded. The firm Jean-Louis Scherrer is currently controlled by the France Luxury Group. Ritu Beri was hired as the designer for the Ready-To-Wear collection in March 2002, and debuted in Paris during the Fall 2002 fashion season. Beri stayed only for a year. She left Scherrer on January 2003, two months before the Fall 2003 RTW season. Stéphane Rolland formerly designed the haute couture collections.

Here is an example of Scherrer's Haute Couture sensibility from the late 1970s. A black chiffon spaghetti strap gown with a wide satin obi sash. It comes with a chiffon evening cover and marabou feather throw for a little pizazz. The gown on it's own is simple and elegant. There are moments for bells and whistles and moments when classic and clean glamour are what one craves.

Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture black chiffon spaghetti strap evening gown with wide satin sash. C. late 1970s Modern size 4 to 6 SOLD

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

BLACK AND WHITE BY LOUIS FERUAD HAUTE COUTURE

If you don't want to wear black, but white is too severe, how about this black and white op-art looking Louis Feraud Haute Couture gown from the late 1970s that mixes the best of these two contrasting colors.

The pailette black sequin straps join a bustier of black and white pailette sequins in a "stripes and circles" motif which connect to a harem-inspired black and white silk stripe skirt with a nice high slit.

Give your fans an optical illusion in this fab Feraud gown!

Louis Feraud Haute Couture black and white gown c late 1970s. Contemporary size 2 (it's small on our size 4 mannequin) SOLD

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

DOWN IN THE DEPTHS WITH HALSTON

We love blue and we love to wrap, so here is a perfect combo of our two loves, for our most loved Blog readers:
A deep sea blue silk crepe de chine wrapdress by Halston from the 1970s with a relaxed shoulder and almost dolman sleeve, classic elastic waist with wrap design, and an obi sash to tie it all together. 'Nuff said.


Halston 70s deep sea blue silk crepe de chine long sleeve wrap dress. Marked size 8. Flexible size from contemporary 4 to 8. SOLD

JADA PINKETT SMITH IN VINTAGE NINA RICCI

Congratulations to Jada Pinkett Smith on being honored for her contribution to Hollywood at the first Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon. We thought she looked awesome in her vintage Nina Ricci red and white chiffon twisted halter gown from Decades, too!

BALENCIAGA HAUTE COUTURE

It's not every day you can get your hands on a Balenciaga Haute Couture hand-plucked and dyed ostrich feather gown gently attached to a light apricot textured chiffon base. Well, today is your lucky day! We are just whetting your appetite with this brief description as we have to get back to Oscar chaos, but if you are looking to really appreciate fashion as art, choose this 1965 fantasy! Balenciaga Haute Couture feather gown 1965. Comes with two alternative silk base foundations (a jumpsuit or a classic slip dress). Contemporary size 4. SOLD
Similar examples from the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute collection shown below.

HOLLYWOOD'S GO-TO DESIGNER JEAN LOUIS

Jean Louis famously designed Rita Hayworth's Gilda gown...enough said. That dress is so iconic and worthy of the "genius" description bestowed too often. Here is a Jean Louis evening gown from the late 1960s made for his former house model. An athletic-cut shoulder in yellow chiffon with fantastic Swarovski-crystal floral bursts that is centered with a gold bugle bead waist band. The bugle beads continue down the slit of the dress which has a sarong-style shape.

Jean Louis yellow chiffon and bugle bead Swarovski flower burst gown. Circa late 1960s. Modern size 4 to 6 SOLD

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