LEONARD ISN'T PUCCI

Many call Leonard the French Pucci, but both esteemed Houses have distinctive prints.   In 1958, at the encouragement of Jacques Leonard, Daniel Tribouillard opened Leonard Fashions and by 1960 had secured a very unique printing technique.  Eventually the orchid became the symbol of the house famous for it's ultra light silk jersey dresses weighing just 150 grams!  Leonard is not as ubiquitous as Pucci and hasn't been able to be reborn as brilliantly as Peter Dundas has done at for the legendary Florentine fashion brand.  However, Leonard still has a bit of an insider exclusivity which makes this velveteen jacket of marigold-based florals (Leonard is often inspired by Japan) so special.  Just like the silks, this year-round velvet, is ultra-light weight and totally season-less.  Perfect for brightening up any and every day!

-Cameron are you following me on Twitter?

 

Leonard print velvet coat, c. 1970'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.

CHANEL REQUIRED

Do you own a  Chanel suit?  Now, do you own a Chanel Couture suit?  Next question, Do you own a Chanel Haute Couture suit designed by Coco Chanel.  If you answered "yes" or "no" to any of the above questions, you need this suit regardless!  Call me crazy but this is simply a stunning Chanel Haute Couture suit from the 1960s designed by Coco Chanel.  It's not a heavy wool boucle and is spring ready, but certainly festive enough for the winter.  The three piece ensemble includes an iconic jacket and skirt along with a matching tank. There are so many ways to wear this suit.  Naturally, as a total look it is the epitome of elegance.  Split it up and the jacket can be paired with jeans or the tank with short-shorts.  The skirt with a cashmere-silk Loro Piana twin-set makes these an essential for spring travel.  This suit can be-to-cocktail and with the touch of gold thread I rather love the jacket over a gown.  I even own a few men's Chanel jackets so get with the program and get this Chanel!

-Cameron

Chanel Haute Couture cream silk and gold lurex suit, c. 1960's. Modern size 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.

SUPERSIZE IT

Summer is just around the corner and in order to dress up any simple outfit you will need bold jewelry. What better option than vintage Yves Saint Laurent, the master of color and statement pieces. Wear any of these necklaces with a simple tee shirt or a man's crisp white shirt, and it will bring modernity and elegance to your look. No matter what your taste is or your favorite color, there is an options for all. 

-Eri 

Yves Saint Laurent necklace in tan and red wood beads with oval gold metal "cage" eggs. Spring/Summer 1989. 

Yves Saint Laurent necklace with plastic nuggets in ivory, beige and tan with purple plastic "Maltese" cross and gold textured metal orbs, Spring/Summer 1985.  

Yves Saint Laurent necklace with red glass caviar tube beads multi strand with five gold metal crescents, Spring/Summer 1984. 

Yves Saint Laurent in metal gold and plastic in green and black beads, c. 1980's. 

Yves Saint Laurent painted "coral branches" inlaid with Swarovski crystals, mother of pearl and resin "nuggets", Spring/Summer 1984. 

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.

CHARLESTON BARBIE

The king of sequins and beads has done it again. This flapper style dress in art deco style beads and sequins from Bob Mackie comes with a matching head piece. You will turn heads, feel sexy and dance the night away. Daisy who?

-Eri 

Bob Mackie beaded deco minidress with matching head piece, c. 1980's. Modern size 4. 

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.

LIQUID SILVER

Gianfranco Ferre's designs walked the line between fashion and architecture, combining opulence with careful tailoring. Simplicity was his signature, like his famous simple white tailored shirts. In contrast, the Ferre woman was never simple, she was an Amazonian creature in high heels bursting with confidence and sex appeal. This mini dress smothered in caviar beads and crystals creating a liquid silver effect is far from the simplicity of the crisp white shirt. Be simple with styling it; just a pair of high heels and confidence and you are sure to make an unforgettable impression.  

-Eri 

Gianfranco Ferre knit mini dress with caviar beading and crystals, c.1990's. 
Will fit modern size 2 to 4. 

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.

DECADES IS LIKE A MUSEUM

When I fly to Paris for Couture at the end of June for Couture I can't wait to see the exhibit La Haute Couture à l’honneur à l’Hôtel de Ville de Paris.  There are a few friends of Decades in the exhibit including this legendary Christian Dior Haute Couture gown from 1952, called le Palmyre.  Much thanks to Fabio Maria Damato for sharing his iPhone shot from the exhibit he took last week. 

-Cameron

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.

PUNK IS EASY

With all these calamities running around tonight's Costume Institute Gala as to "what to wear" let me remind you that punk is easy...EASY CHIC.  Franco Moschino understood this as evidenced by his slogan tee below which is similar to one of his looks in the above exhibition image from PUNK: Couture to Chaos.  I am not attending this year, so don't look for me on the red carpet.  I deserve a night off and certainly had a big surreal moment last year with my custom Nicole Miller and Schiaparelli blowfish walking stick.  It's been fun commenting in every newspaper from the The New York Times to the London Evening Standard about what the elite set should wear to tonight's gala.  I doubt anyone will be punk enough to wear this Moschino mini tee, but it's really all you need!

-Cameron

Moschino mini dress in jersey c. 1980's. Marked size 8 fits modern 4.

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 DOW HIT 15,000 SO HAVE A COCKTAIL

Today is a good day to be rich.  Actually, almost every day appears to be a good day to be rich!  I am sure many a trader and trader's partner is celebrating as the Stock Market hit new highs today.  What to wear to celebrate?  Givenchy Haute Couture straight out of Holly Golightly's fashion rule book, of course!  This LBD of hammered silk with boat neckline, gathered waist, scoop back, and seductive bow screams business in the front and party in the rear.  I have a feeling there will be a lot of partying in the front AND back this weekend!  Get as sloppy as you want, but still dress chic!

-Cameron

Givenchy Haute Couture silk dress in black, c.1960's. Modern size 4. 

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.

DON'T WEAR A COSTUME, WEAR THE REAL THING

The MET gala is not the only fashion hype these days, with The Great Gatsby hitting theatres on May 10, and a spectacular New York premiere, the twenties are back. Not that they ever left, the fashion world has always been inspired and amused by this decade's awesome dresses and accessories. With over the top feathers, beads, sequins in shift easy silhouettes, the champagne filled parties and the jazz, the twenties were definitely the most glamourous of decades. There will be many parties with a 20's theme and you will be wondering what to wear. As Tommy Hilfiger said last night at The Great Gatsby premiere: "to avoid looking costumey, you've got to wear the real thing, wear vintage". Wise words from someone who knows. This flapper dress comes from The House of Adair, which in the twenties made flapper dresses for North America. Based in Paris, The House of Adair made each dress different from the other, when you wore Adair you wore a one of a kind. The art deco detail in this dress is exquisite. With a Prada t-strap slingback sandal you will be the best dressed guest. 

-Eri 

House of Adair flapper dress, c. 1920's. Will fit modern size 2 to 4. 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.

COUTURE OVER CHAOS

Every few minutes a nervous Costume Institute gala attendee emails Eri or me and asks "what should I wear" to the MET gala with a theme of PUNK.  In addition to guests, the press are hounding us on a proper dress code. Read New York Times  Unequivocally, Vivienne Westwood IS appropriate for the gala as she is really the Fairy Godmother of punk fashion.  This Vivienne Westwood gown might harken to Old Hollywood glamour mixing two shades of purple in crepe and velvet but with the right Mohawk, messy eyeliner and tough-girl jewels, you will be punk but couture without looking like a chaotic train wreck.

-Cameron

Vivienne Westwood velvet and crepe gown in purple, c. 1990's. Will fit 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.

PACO FETISH

With Iggy Pop once as the face of the house and a legacy of making clothes out of unusual materials and with a taste for fetish, Paco Rabanne is an original punk. As the MET gala fast approaches and you are still wondering what to wear here are two stunning options for the inner punk in you. The feather and lace dress with cape is absolutely a show stopper. The piece is in perfect condition, with peacock feathers in a green hue weaved through the lace while the collar has the feathers placed straight up to cover half the face. It is very dramatic, high fashion and incredibly theatrical like the bird itself. As for the PVC gown that is Paco Rabanne at his Barbarella glory. The use of PVS alludes to fetishism, a tough and ballsy dress that begs to be shown off. It has a slight imperfection on the side stitch, but when one is wearing a dress like that we can guarantee you no one will be looking at the side stitch. Bring your punk attitude and celebrate the rebel in you. 

-Eri 

Paco Rabanne Haute Couture black peacock feather dress and cape, c.1990's. Modern size 4. 

Paco Rabanne Haute Couture black PVC gown with train, c.1990's. Modern size 4. 

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.
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