Black & White Stripes Are Where It's At!

Fashion has always taken cues from authors, artists, and great cultural innovators. We couldn't help but notice a trend as we watched this over-the-top video from soul duo Gnarls Barkley this week: black and white stripes are where's it at!

First we brought you this Louis Feraud Haute Couture... now we have a gorgeous Valentino from the 1980s, a voluminous satin ballgown with a faux-button bustier and swashbuckling fuchsia sash at the waist. It's a loud piece, to be sure, but nothing in comparison to the unsigned sample pictured below it. (We think it could be Guy Laroche!) It's a completely outlandish party dress with bow patterned balloon skirt and a striped bustier. It's perfect for a fashion eccentric or a party girl with a sense of humor!

Valentino Boutique Black & White Satin Bustier Dress with Fuchsia Sash, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 2 to narrow 4. SOLD

Unsigned Design Sample (Possibly Guy Laroche), Black & White Satin Party Dress with Balloon Skirt, c. 1980s. SOLD

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Hermes for Easter

Looking for a new bag to take to church? You'll look proper and prim and piously chic in this meil colored Hermès crocodile piano bag from the 1960s! The color is totally yummy and the skin is in great shape. The lining is a buttery soft and delectable to touch; we also love the modern gold hardware.

Hermès Meil Crocodile Piano Bag with Architectural Gold Metal Hardware. Measures 10" by 6½" by 3". SOLD

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Ravishing In Red: Two Great Party Dresses!

If you believe (as we do) that every girl needs a little black dress, it's a given that every girl needs a sexy red party dress as well. Guess what? Decades has plenty of both! The first, a jersey number by Pat Richards, channels the sun-kissed energy of flamenco dancers with a voluminous jersey skirt and cascading ruffles; the second, a chiffon illusion gown by Jean Louis Scherrer, cuts a death-defying plunge across the bust, held together by a sheer panel that disappears against the skin.

Pat Richards Red Jersey Party Dress with Descending Ruffles and Oversize Bow, c. late 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 6.

Jean Louis Scherrer Red Chiffon Halter Gown with Sheer Sliver Panel, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 2.SOLD

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PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS?

If you are in France and love fashion, you probably watched Channel 3's popular television program, "Racines et des Ailes." The show is all about Haute Couture and features a segment on Cameron Silver and Decades, in addition to features on John Galliano and Anne Valerie Hash. We haven't seen the show yet, but our French clients have been calling and emailing all day about it.

We hope to have a copy soon to share with you soon!

Masterpiece of a Bygone Era

If ever you needed proof that department store shopping ain't what it used to be, just check out this in-house creation for Bergdorf Goodman from the 1950s. At a glance, it strikes the untrained eye as yet another beautiful gown; upon closer inspection, the discerning collector will be dazzled by the intricacy of the draping around the skirt, reminiscent of the style that made Grés the most sought-after couturier for decades. Stylish women are returning to classic black evening gowns in droves--make yours the most triumphant of all in this one-of-a-kind creation!

Bergdorf Goodman Couture Gown in Black Chiffon with Spectacularly Draped Swag Across the Skirt, c. 1950s. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

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Glorious Chanel Costume Jewelry

In these uncertain economic times (well, at least for most Americans...), commodities like gold are a wise investment. That's why we at Decades are unlocking our vaults to bring you wondrous treasures by Chanel! Granted, they may be costume, but the cross necklace and crystal belt/necklace pictured below are quite collectable and endlessly chic.


Chanel by Goosens Gold Cross Necklace with Gripoix Poured Glass, c. 1980s; Chain measures 32". SOLD

Chanel Gold Chain Link & Crystal Necklace/Belt, c. 1980s; Chain measures 30".
SOLD


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

Great Hermès Still Available at Decades!

Fashion fans (or regular viewers of "Sex and the City") know that demand for Hermès' Birkin and Kelly bags has reached mythic proportions in recent years. While the rumors of three year waitlists are no longer true, it can be extraordinarily difficult to find these bags in a specific color or size. When even Hermès can't fill your order in time, turn to Decades! We have these never-used pieces available for a steal of a price, perfect for the discerning collector or a first-time Hermès buyer.

Hermes 25 cm Mini-Birkin in Gold Togo Leather with Palladium Hardware, 2007. In the box, never used with all original packaging.SOLD

Hermes 28cm classic Kelly in Black Leather with Gold Harware, 2006. In the box, never used with all original packaging. SOLD

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

ADD SOME FRILL TO YOUR LIFE

The frill is back with this Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture point d'esprit day-to-evening dress from the late 1970s. It's day-to-evening because the dress is great with tights and boots in the day time, but remove the tights and do a metallic sexy after-5 shoe and this veers on black tie! We love the ruffle trimmed neckline and layers to the skirt providing for an ultra-feminine, yet sexy...and ultimately so Parisian look. We were thinking that no one does chic Parisian style anymore on the contemporary designer runways. Everything is so "edgy" and we say return to beauty. This dress is the perfect avenue to return to dressing like a beautiful woman. All hail, beautiful women.

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Point d'Esprit Day-to-Evening Dress, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary petite size 4. SOLD

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

Chanel Purses in Gorgeous Spring Colors!

We're used to seeing Chanel's iconic quilted purses in a rather limited range of colors--namely, black, blue, and white. That's why Decades is tickled to present two pristine purses in perfect spring colors! Each features supple quilted calfskin and a gold woven shoulder strap.

Chanel Kelly Green Leather Quilted Shoulder Bag, c. late 1980s. Measures 7" by 5".SOLD

Chanel Red Leather Quilted Shoulder Bag, c. late 1980s. Measures 8" by 6". SOLD

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

Ch-ch-ch-cherry Bomb in Bernard Perris

Like the nightlife? Show the world your little heart of glass in a dramatic crimson silk tunic by Bernard Perris! The shooting star deco embroidery plunges to a deep V around the collar and accents the dolman sleeve with hanging bead fringe--all the better to dance on tabletops with, my dear. Pair it with a cigarette jean during the day, it's chic either way!

Bernard Perris Crimson Silk Tunic with Deco Beaded Collar and Dolman Sleeve, c. early 1980s. Free size.

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OMBRE TRIGERE TREASURE

First and foremost, we would love to give thanks to all our amazing clients who visit us through the blog, at our Los Angeles flagship boutique, or at our London shop-in-shop within Comme des Garcons' Dover Street Market. Thank you for the amazing success we are experiencing in 2008. We appreciate so much your passion and support of Decades.

Here is a 70s ombre watermelon-hued Pauline Trigere chiffon gown with an attached dramatic cape that connects in front of the neck, to create a distinctive neckline. The dress has lots of volume but retains a sense of shape via the gathered midsection. It's one of those dresses that begs for a sudden gust of wind when you walk to theatrically showcase the attached cape and flowing skirt. As you can see from the blog, Trigere has been selling very fast, so if you want this colorful option, it's best to contact us immediately!
Pauline Trigere 70s watermelon ombre chiffon voluminous gown. Modern size 4 - 6 SOLD

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HERMES LYDIE BAGS

Do you know the Lydie? It's one of our favorite Hermès designs and we just received two Lydie bags from the 70s. Why do we love it? First, the envelope shape is so classic. Second, the "H" closure is subtle considering how famous the H is. Third, it's a "two-fer" in the sense that you can carry the bag as a clutch or as a shoulder bag. Four, we never see these bags in production anymore, so it's an antidote to the more ubiquitous Hermes designs (which we still adore), but sometimes you want something a little more unique.

The two options below are in brown lizard and black box calf. Lovingly restored by Hermes in Beverly Hills, they are fine examples of a classic and chic designs from a House that knows what luxury is all about.

Hermès Lydie Bag in Dark Chocolate Lizard, 1979. Measures 10" by 6½"; reconditioned by Hermes in Beverly Hills.SOLD

Hermès Lydie Bag in Black Box Calf Leather. Measures 10" by 6½"; reconditioned by Hermes in Beverly Hills. Slightly worn. SOLD

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

NINA RICCI IS NOT JUST FOR REESE

Last year, Reese Witherspoon more-or-less exclusively wore Nina Ricci for her public appearances. Well, we are here to say that Nina Ricci is not her exclusive domain anymore! We are happy to share with you this dramatique early 80s Nina Ricci taffeta concoction with velveteen dots and motif-de-jeur: the beloved over-sized bow. We are also thrilled to offer you a gown that is diplomatically sized, yet sexy (it will fit a modern size 8 to 10).

But the drama doesn't stop there, as the strapless gown billows from the waist to the knee, and then returns to a more natural skirt shape. It's a pretty fantastic and elaborately constructed gown that requires a lot of confidence. We feel most Decades shoppers have confidence in spades, so we know our clients can handle the drama with panache!


Nina Ricci tafetta gown with velveteen dots c early 1980s. Contemporary size 8 to 10 SOLD
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.