FIT FOR A PRINCESS

In 1986, Princess Diana wore the British Couturier, Murray Arbeid, blue tulle and glitter strapless gown photographed elegantly below in an official portrait by Lord Snowdon and with cherry satin gloves for an evening gala. Eleven years later, the gown was sold at her legendary auction at Christie's benefiting cancer and AIDS charities for $48,300. Twenty-three years after the dress was first designed, we are happy to offer a variation of Diana's famous dress in black tulle. This timeless design is a dress made for dancing and is season-less, yet festive enough for a Holiday party at the White House and red carpet friendly for Hollywood's Award Season. If you crave a dress fit for a Princess, this is an example of royal style famously worn by one of the great fashion icons of our time.

Murray Arbeid for Saks Fifth Avenue "Princess Diana" black tulle and glitter strapless gown, 1986. Modern 8 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.

Match Made in Heaven

In 1941, at the height of the second World War, Anthony Traina and Norman Norell teamed up to form Traina-Norell. Due to the war, women in the United States were unable to access french designer clothing. The gap left by the French designers was quickly filled by Traina-Norell as they produced evening wear of the highest caliber for their discerning socialite clientele.

This lovely black and bubble-gum pink party dress is perfect for the holiday party season. The black bustier top has internal boning and two spaghetti straps. The skirt portion has a slight drop waist and an internal crinoline sewn into the bottom of the skirt. Just below the waist is a pink bow that wraps around the hips. Classic and chic, when paired with a nice fur wrap nothing could be better.

Traina-Norell black and bubble-gum pink satin dress with hip bow, 1950. Contemporary size 4-small 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.

NYE in MIAMI

Going somewhere warm this New Years? May we suggest you don this gold lame trimmed, silk crepe apricot 1930's goddess gown from one of our personal faves, James Galanos. We can't think of a more ideal dress for ringing in the New Year off the coast of Miami on Diddy's yacht. The five section construction consists of three solid panels separated by two pleated ones, each trimmed in gold lamé. This is a never-before-worn vintage sample! So if Naomi gives you any trouble at the party, we suggest you avoid her signature concussion-by-way-of-cell-phone and just walk away so she can witness the full ensemble. Remember, she might be an angel, but you are the goddess.

For added protection from you know who, add some large gold cuffs and clip on earrings. The cuffs can be used to shield the face and the earrings can be easily pulled off in case a fight ensues.

James Galanos apricot crepe gown with gold lamé trim, c.60's. Contemporary size 4-6 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.

NORELL AT HIS BEST

This amazing Norman Norell gold mermaid va-va-voom gown has just been placed in our holiday window and we promise to post photos in the next week. We love that the original owner kept an editorial image of the dress she purchased in the early 1960s along with the actual dress which we have meticulously restored. It took forever to find matching crystal diamonds for the waistband, but our commitment and patience has paid off and this is one of our favorite examples of Norell's iconic mermaid gowns to come through Decades. This dress is ultra sexy and red carpet ready for the right Glam-A-Zon. We would love to see someone select it for next year's busy award season, so don't be shocked if it ends up at the Golden Globes or Oscars!

Norman Norell gold paillette mermaid halter gown with crystal waist band, c. early 1960s. Modern 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

NO MORE TOTE JOKES

When it rains, it pours. At least according to our now third installment in the "What's a Tote?" menage-a-trois of Chanel totes posts. The joke is clearly tired, but we are losing sleep at how adorable these variations of totes are when re-worked in Chanel-isms. Our final ode to the tote is a black quilted satin slim tote with a snap closure and subtle Swarovski crystal interlocking "C"s on the front side. Ultra slight, perfect for travel, big enough for the stuff you need, small enough to work with any cocktail or evening gown...We are preparing our trunk show in Dallas at 4510 today to benefit The Family Place. Many of the Chanel pieces we just posted will be sent to Dallas, so if you are craving an immediate Chanel fix, call or stop by the store today. Do note that we have more more more Chanel bags (including some outstanding carry-on bags) that will also post in the next week, too.

Chanel black quilted satin slim evening tote, c. late 1980s. 8 1/2" x 7" x 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

WHEN IS A TOTE NOT A TOTE, PART TWO

This is another tote that isn't a tote, but is a tote, so carry on, as Tim Gunn would say. A structured tote of black lambskin and iconic quilted jersey, this Chanel evening tote will not hold a Thermos, but it will hold a Lorenz Baumer designed Guerlain lipstick, a stack of Benjamins, and keys to a Park Ave apartment. There was a gold link chain attached to internal hooks at some point, but the chain has good "bye bye" and actually good riddance as a tote is meant to be "tote'd", n'est-ce pas?

Chanel mini leather and quilted jersey tote, c. late 1980s. 8" x 7 1/2" (including top of handle) x 2"

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.

TO TOTE OR NOT TO TOTE

A tote suddenly doesn't feel like a tote when it is a) Chanel, b) alligator, c) luncheon size. Yes, this ain't your Uncle's LL Bean canvas tote. Rather the familiar shape is rendered ultra luxurious and elegant in brown shiny alligator with a flap closure and large sleeve on the backside of the bag. Inside the structured bag offers a zippered compartment and an additional pocket. It's the perfect luncheon size and it would probably hold a slim Thermos and a bologna sandwich, if you were so included!

Chanel brown alligator flap closure tote, c. early 1990s. 9 3/4" x 9 1/4" x 3 1/2" 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.

BUY BOTH

We've uploaded so many photos since 2006 on our Daily Arrival Blog, that we just had to purchase more space to add additional photos. Consequently, this will be the last post of the day until we get more room from Google which takes apparently 24 hours. Is it an Ugh! or Hallelujah! we should shout? We can handle a break from blogging, but can you handle a break from our blog? THAT is the question! Amen that we have a duo post of Chanel bags below and our advice is to buy both. Why? Why not! Seriously, we think the options of both a black and navy classic 80s Chanel bag are very warranted in your closet. The black bag has a large monogram flap pocket; where as the blue one has an asymmetric flap detail (the fold over is permanent and stitched to the bag). Both bags have large coordinating fringe tassels, but note that the gold hardware on the blue tassel has lost a touch of its gilt over the last thirty years. Both bags were just refurbished by our master leather repair man so they look remarkably fresh for bags purchased in the mid 1980s.

Chanel black quilted zip classic shoulder bag with functional outside flap pocket, tassel, and woven gold link and leather chain strap, c. mid 1980s. 9 1/2" x 7"x just shy of 2 1/2" SOLD

Chanel navy quilted zip classic shoulder bag with flap pocket, tassel (gilt gold slight patina), and woven gold link and leather chain strap, c. mid 1980s. 9" x 6 1/2" x just shy of 2 1/2" 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.

CHANEL CHANEL CHANEL updated!

We will be posting several 80s and early 1990s CHANEL handbags today and tomorrow. Watch this space! We just added this photo showing two lambskin shoulder bags in blue and black, two evening bags (one in quilted black satin, the other in quilted jersey and leather), and very unusual quilted black velvet shoulder bag, and a truly scrumptious brown alligator compact tote. Detailed photos will post in the next day, but you know how quickly these will sell so feel free to ring + 1 323 655 0223 during store hours today (11 30 am to 6 pm PST) or email us blog@decadesinc.com to inquire further or purchase before ALL is revealed!

RING AROUND THE BORDER

We really wish we could call this post "Ring Around the Collar" but that would be a false and malicious fashion statement! This Gianfranco Ferre jacket may feature a slew of fetish-tastic rings but they are on the front of the jacket's border. We all know Ferre was a master with leather. Remember that typical late 80s/early 90s silhouette of his tough leather pants with a massive gazar blouse? Well this Ferre jacket is tough on top and features a generous shoulder and sculptured midsection for a feminine and futuristic looking shape. Although it's more of a bolero than a jacket (it does not close in front), the jacket isn't cropped like most boleros (readers should know we are on a bolero kick of late), but rather skims the hips. This is one of those everyday pieces that can be worn in the day with jeans or at night with a sexy dress that shows off your legs. If you have fallen for Balmain-ia (haven't we all), you will get how a strong shouldered jacket is a must-have for your wardrobe. Thankfully, this jacket will cost less than a pair of Balmain jeans!

Gianfranco Ferre black leather with gold ring border jacket, c. early 1990s. Marked size 40, modern 6 to 8SOLD

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.

CHANEL WISH LIST

We can't seem to post enough vintage Chanel jewelry fast enough to satiate the requests by clients, but mostly by husbands of clients! Who knew the Decades Daily Arrival Blog was on so many holiday wish lists? Well, make a wish a reality by buying this unusual Chanel necklace that reminds us of 80s era Bulgari with it's bold chain interlocked with amber poured glass reminiscent of antique intaglios and gold encased green beads. It can be worn as a single or a double strand and is ideal for mixing with other vintage Chanel treasures from Decades. Pile them on!

Chanel unusual gold chain link with amber and green poured glass bead, c. late 1980s. 34" 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.