CHANEL JACKETS NOT JUST FOR YOUR JEANS ANYMORE

I thought Keira Knightly was a beautiful bride wearing a Chanel jacket over her wedding dress.  I think it's a very modern way to do formal, also.  That is why I proposed the YSL gold lurex gown with this Chanel jacket in our previous post.  I just think it's very elegant and effortless way to get dressed up and a fresh alternative to a fur or the ubiquitous pashmina.  This 1960s Chanel Couture jacket (designed by Coco Chanel) has a wonderful shades of gold lurex zig-zag pattern and gilt rope trim.  Yes it's great with jeans, but it's also great over your gown, too.  Chanel jackets...not just for your jeans anymore.

-Cameron

Chanel Haute Couture gold with rope trimmed jacket, c. 1960's. Modern 6 to 8. 

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 COOL WAY TO WEAR BLACK TIE

I love lamé. Possibly because in the 1970s as a kid there was always disco in the background, lamé just seems as practical to me as flannel to a grunge kid.  This Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche sleeveless dress is pure gold lamé fantasy but isn't a product of the 1970s disco scene.  Designed for YSL's Winter 1991 collection, the shoulder-padded gown has three rope buttons on the left shoulder that repeat at the left hip, too.  There's an optional gold leather belt that the original owner wore with this gown, too.  I like the YSL styled with this 60s Chanel Haute Couture jacket (more info on that jacket tomorrow). Don't you think it's a very modern and cool way to wear vintage?  Although it's very vintage!

-Cameron

YSL gold lamé metallic gown, Winter 1991. Marked size 38, will fit modern size 4 to 6

Chanel Haute Couture jacket, c. 1960'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.

SAIL AWAY

Once again, Decades is stopping traffic with our latest window designed by Jeff Snyder and "Dukes of Melrose" star Jarred Cairns.  We are honored to have received the archive of Ronaldus Shamask from his early 1980s collections with business partner Murray Moss.  Pieces below are part of the Amsterdam born Shamask's COTY Award Winning collection from 1981.  Shamask may not be the most familiar name to our clients, but I remember selling his designs at Theodore around 1987 when he won the CFDA award.  Shamask's aesthetic is extremely architectural with brilliant seaming that makes what at first glance appear to be simple but is really very sophisticated.  His fabrics are the finest natural linens and silks and although these pieces are nearly 30 years old, they are incredibly directional and modern.  Come visit us at Decades or take a peak at some of his linen pieces on our E-commerce site.

-Cameron

Shamask Original archive now available at DECADES

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.

CAPRI IS CALLING

I have never been to Capri but that is about to change as next month just after the Couture shows in Paris I am plane surfing to Capri and couch surfing at my friend's house.  I am excited to see Capri as my fantasy is that everyone is in Pucci 24-7.  This 60s classic Pucci jersey shift with fun flapper lemon fringe is my ideal of what the chic women of Capri will look like.  However, one needn't meet me in Capri to be the epitome of resort chic!  This is the dress that takes you through the summer day and night; flats and heels; sun and sunset.  Throw it in a zip-lock bag along with a bikini, shorts, and some tees and you can pretty much get through a weekend in the Hamptons.  However, I do hope to see you in Capri, too!  What should I wear?

-Cameron

Emilio Pucci jersey and fringe "flapper dress" c. 1960s.  Marked size 12, modern 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.

WHAT YOU THINK YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU DREAM OF HAVING

Hermes has always been the brand with a policy of product not an image. The enduring quality of Hermes products are superior to all. Rejecting mass production has made possible for Hermes to refine each product with a lasting effect. Hermes might never change its logo or its stand on branding, but they are a brand nonetheless. Choosing Hermes we characterize who we are, what we have and what we dream of being and having. This shoulder Kelly is in great condition and known for practicality. The Trim bag is as functional as it is iconic, and what about the chicest weekender the Plume for both him and her. And if you are not in the market for a bag, we got you covered. The lambskin hand painted scarf is as extravagant as it is sublime. And for the horse owners; treat your horse as you would like to be treated. Whip the flies away from your horse's face with Hermes. The horse might not know the difference, but you do. 

-Eri  

Hermes shoulder Kelly 40cm in togo leather yellow with palladium hardware, 2009. 

Hermes Trim bag 31cm blue jean in togo leather with palladium hardware, 1998. 

Hermes Plume bag 45cm in togo leather with gold hardware, 1997. 

Hermes fly whip in red, c.1970's. Length of handle 35cm. 

Hermes fly whip in yellow, c. 1970's. Length of handle 35cm. 

Hermes lambskin shawl with leather fringe and handpainted feathers in gold. 

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.

TOTAL RUDI FROM ONE CLOSET

I love Rudi Gernreich clothing.  I love Rudi so much that I am the curator of the exhibit THE TOTAL LOOK: The Creative Collaboration between Rudi Gerrneich, Peggy Moffitt, and William Claxton, which resumes its tour in 2015 at the Cincinnati Museum of Art, after a successful debut at MOCA Los Angeles, followed by SCAD Museum in Savannah.  Rudi famously said "fashion will go out of fashion" but looking at these four examples of his Harmon wool knits, all I can think about is how fashionable they remain.  How would you style these futuristic ensembles to make them thoroughly modern in 2013?  They all come out of the same closet from a woman who wore them and took great care of them through the decades.

-Cameron

Rudi Gernreich 
Red knit short dress  yellow graphic c. early 1970's. Marked size 10, modern 4 to 6. 
Brown and Blue knit top and skirt, c. 1973. Marked size 10 modern 4 to 6. SOLD
Orange color blocking w/ legging, c. Fall 1967. Marked size 10, modern 4 to 6. 
Cross-My Heart black and white dress, Fall 1973. Marked size 10, modern 4 to 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. 

WHAT WILL YOU WEAR FOR THE END OF DAYS?

Get your mod on with this perfect Pierre Cardin black wool dress with large white vinyl tile and trim applique.  It's a guarantee this dress will never go out style, so add this to your collection and feel confident this is a day dress until the End of Days!

-Cameron

 

Pierre Cardin black and white dress with vinyl detail, c.1960's. Modern size 4 to 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.

DRESS ON A ROPE

As many of you are aware the House of Courreges was purchased by Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting last year from founders Andre and Coqueline Courreges.  The new owners have re-launched the collection with some classic dresses, as well as,  eyewear in partnership with Alain Mikli.  It all looks very charming and super retro, but retro in a futuristic way.  I am curious where Bungert and Torloting will take the brand.  Will it remain in a time capsule or will a Creative Director come in and manipulate the codes into fresh designs?  It's in a bit of a time warp right now, but I find all the pieces still rather timeless.  Courreges often made the perfect easy summer dress and this cotton canvas dress with nautical rope halter is from the 1990s revamp of Courreges.  It's a dress for espadrilles and a summer in Aix-en-Provence.  However you don't need to holiday in France to look effortlessly chic.  This dress is for anyone this summer who wants to beat the heat in style; and I love the fresh neckline that manages to not look retro, don't you think?

-Cameron

 

Courreges black canvas with rope detail, c. early 1990's. Marked size 40, modern 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.