Welcome Back Paco

This dress has been worn by Chloe Sevigny and was purchased by a collector of vintage a few years ago, but I always wanted this dress to have a second chance!  Fortunately, this very chic collector did a little edit of her fine closet and I can retell the store of this Technicolor dress. In an homage to Madame Vionnet, this Paco Rabanne dress breaks from the traditional pieces of Haute Couture that we expect from Paco. There are no discs and no outlandish metal work, the hallmarks of Paco style. For that reason this dress is an extremely rare and unusual dress that is a runway sample. It is from 1979 and is a geometric and colorful printed silk dress.

Cameron

Paco Rabanne Haute Couture, 1979, multi color gown in homage to Vionnet.  Flexible size 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.

BIJOUX VOYAGES

Coppola e Toppo, a duo of brother and sister from Italy, rose to fame right after War World II, when Elsa Schiaparelli commissioned them to work on a jewelry line for her brand. Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Jacques Fath, Jeanne Lanvin followed. Today Coppola e Toppo pieces are highly collectible. It is easy to understand why. Worn by itself with a little black dress this bracelet is sure to start a conversation. 

Eisenberg started in the twenties in Chicago making very expensive high end jewelry. Artists like Picasso and Miro collaborated with the house on designing some of the enamel pieces. Very collectible and refined this art deco inspired pin comes from the 70's. Swarovski crystals set on sterling silver will make for a beautiful addition to any fur or winter coat this fall. 

-Eri 

Coppola e Toppo faux crystal bracelet, c. 1960's.  SOLD

Eisenberg art deco inspired pin c. 1970's. 

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.

HOT WEATHER DRESSING

When the temperatures rise, it becomes a challenge to be elegant.  Also, who wants to sweat in your finery?  Answer, a vintage Louis Feraud cotton voile print dress with stylish ruffle sleeves, a sash belt, and mandarin collar that buttons to the gathered waist.  You will wear this with boy shorts and a pretty bra - or - a slip, because it's really sheer.   There is no excuse not to look chic.  Summer dress-ing by Decades.

Cameron

 

Louis Feraud abstract floral dress with belt, c. early 1980's. Marked size 38, modern 4 to 6

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.

TRY IT ON

We received an eclectic box of clothing from a fashionable woman in Florida yesterday which included a Geoffrey Beene lace blouse/tee-shirt, some ornate Chinese embroidered jackets, and this chiffon Valentino dress.  Eri didn't seem quite that enthusiastic about it when sorting through the box, but I said "try it on."  She changed her mind quickly as the purple base with golden flowers is the perfect season-less evening dress in sophisticated hues with adjustable shoulder ties, and a slit that means business.  Moral of the story, "try it on."  I suggested just that with a young mom shopping early today who wasn't sure about an unworn Marc Jacobs jacket in the style of Chanel with stripes of pearls cut into various seams.  She tried it on and I was right.  That's why I get paid the big bucks!

-Cameron

 

 

Valentino boutique silk gold and navy wrap around dress with adjustable shoulder strap, c. 1970's. Marked size 12. Will fit modern size 4 to 8.  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.

THE BLING RING

Coco Chanel famously declared that before you leave the house take one piece of jewelry off. She may have been right but the opposite works as well. If you pile up lots of pieces that you love, they will find harmony and make a statement. Play up your face this fall with oversized jewelry to bring the attention where it is needed. With collector pieces like these from Chanel to Eisenberg, you can never go wrong. 

-Eri 

Gripoix flower pin in purple and green glass stone, c.1980's. 

Kenneth Jay Lane KJL brooch with glass stones, c. 1980's. 

Chanel pin with Gripoix stones, 1993. 

Eisenberg peacock pin sterling silver with purple Swarovski stone, c.1940's. 

Eisenberg peacock pin sterling silver with blue Swarovski stone, c. 1940's. 

Karl Lagerfeld flower pin with pearl trim, c.1980's. 

Chanel charm belt, 1993. Length 29". 

Chanel chain and leather belt, c.1990's. Length 34". 

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.

TEAL

I once knew a woman who only wore teal.  She wore teal dresses, hats, shoes...it was her signature and I must say that I thought I had experienced enough teal on one person to last me a lifetime.  However, I was wrong.  Arriving today is the very chic and lady like crepe teal Pauline Trigere dress that is refreshing in a bright teal and executed with the designer's attention to details with beautiful bust darts and seams at the neck -- the kind of things people just don't do today, but the connoisseur clients of Decades always appreciate.  With a coordinating belt that literally ties the look together, please don't wear this with teal pumps. 

-Cameron

 

 

Pauline Trigere wool crepe teal dress, c. 1960's. Modern size 4 to 6

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.

TREND SETTER

I have been so excited about our Ronaldus Shamask archive.  These designs were all made in the 1980s and most are the actual prototypes that earned Shamask both COTY and CFDA awards in 1981 and 1987, respectfully.  What I find particularly fascinating about the collection is how progressive and visionary Shamask's designs display in terms of minimal modernity and architectural sportswear.  You can see from our comparison pictures below that the Shamask aesthetic is certainly reverberating on today's runways:  oversized masculine shirting, pajamas, midriff baring ensembles, asymmetric color blocking, athletic-wear inspired luxe "sweats"....etc.  The list goes on and on.  Shamask is an underdog and deserving of renewed recognition and appreciation as a true innovator of American luxury sportswear.  His clothes come alive so beautifully from hangar to body.  We are having a Shamask moment and so should you.  You can buy the collection here.
-Cameron

                                    

RONALDUS SHAMASK EXCLUSIVELY AT DECADES.

FOR THE MAHARAJAH

Maharajahs famously rode on elephants in elaborate processions in India decked in jewels.  This Chanel dress would not be appropriate for such a grand road trip, but the whimsical elephant print on navy silk and crown gilt buttons makes for a very chic chemise dress with cap sleeves and stylish skirt that is enhanced with a second layer of silk like a reverse apron. This can be worn rather sexy if you leave some buttons undone.  Just don't lose those buttons!

-Cameron

Chanel elephant print silk dress, c. 1980's. Marked size 40.   Modern 6 to 8 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.

RED BULL

Truthfully, a wide red croco belt by Judith Leiber can save the day...or at least your outfit.  The power of a bold accessory like this versatile and adjustable belt from the 1980s means whatever you are wearing that may have been basic is suddenly transformed into something ballistic.  I don't advocate boring or basic, so put a belt on it!

-Cameron

Judith Leiber red crocodile wide adjustable belt, 1980's. 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.

BAGS FOR SWOONING

The accessory business is serious these days.  I am confident luxury brands have focus groups to determine if newly-designed bag will be a hit with customers months before producing the design en masse.  Being an IT bag isn't what it is cut up to be!  The luxury business does not take its handbags lightly, but thankfully these three bags are functional and festive.  The Moschino bag pokes fun of a Hermes Kelly.  The Charles Jourdan is sleek and sexy, which in my book is something that makes me swoon.  The Salvatore Ferragamo bag has you covered in primary color-blocking to match just about everything in your wardrobe.  I like accessories that make a statement.  These three vintage bags from the 1980s follow my accoutrement advice: be bold, make them swoon, and never let them see you sweat. The Moschino and Ferragamo bags are mini-me sizes, so what they don't have in girth, they certainly deliver in style!

-Cameron

Moschino black canvas bag, c.1980's. 2 x 5.5 x 7.  SOLD

Charles Jourdan black patent with gold clasp, c.1980's. 3.5 x 6.5 x 10.  SOLD

Ferragamo multi color shoulder bag, c.1980's. 1.5 x 5 x 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.

BLUSH

A hammered silk halter gown from the 1930s with a dramatic train and sexy back is a pretty fabulous option for a black tie gala, don't you think?  Plus it's the lightest blush of pink, a color so flattering on a myriad of skin tones.  This is one of those "Old Hollywood" silhouettes that gets reinterpreted season after season on the world's high-fashion runways.  One could wear a modern version of this look, or, just be an original and wear the original.  That's what we are all about at Decades: we are fashion dictators not followers.  You be the inspiration....

Glad to be back in LA!

-Cameron

Anonymous pink hammered silk gown, c.1930's. Modern 4 - 6. 

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.