POUF CITY

Most of our clients do not live in Los Angeles. The blog functions as a vehicle to keep you informed of arrivals at the Decades boutique in Los Angeles. For those who aren't local or visiting Los Angeles any time soon, we thought you would like our latest window featuring a Christian Lacroix Luxe pouf dress circa 1987. It's been over 20 years since the pouf sensation and we think it's time for it's triumphant return.... The dress has SOLD.
When in Los Angeles, please visit us in person
Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue @ Harper (between La Cienega and Crescent Heights) on the 2nd floor, just above the amazing Decadestwo store for contemporary designer consignment. Phone 323 655 0223 for more information about Decades or visit http://www.decadesinc.com/.

Christian Lacroix Luxe iconic "Pouf" dress, c 1987. Modern size 4 SOLD

TURN AROUND

Walking into a room is one thing, but making an exit has its virtues, too. The clothes you choose can help make your enterances and exits a tour de force. Naturally, a great dress should be attractive from the front, as well as, the back. Case in point: this red silk Carolyn Roehm gown. It features a deceptively simple short sleeve fitted design that dramatically fishtails around the hips. But, turn around for the big reveal: a suprisingly low cut back reminiscent of Hollywood glamour gowns from the early 1930s. There's a reason why you practice yoga daily...to show off your toned back in this ruby concoction.


Carolyn Roehm red heavy silk fishtail and backless gown, c 1980s. Modern size 4

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

HERMES OMBRE

No one has mastered the art of exotic skin better than Hermes. Using ombre-hued lizard skin, this 25 cm UNUSED Kelly is a marvelous addition to your wardrobe. Because it's ombre, it matches everything (the full spectrum from black to white) and a 25 cm is big enough for the day and small enough for the night. For those who are always gravitate toward bags the size of your car's trunk, may we suggest you go "small". Trust us, your chiropractor will thank us.

Hermes 25 cm Kelly in ombre lizard with palladium hardware, K stamp for 2007. Unused, brand new in box.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

VERT ANIS HAS ARRIVED

Fresh from a quickie facial at Hermes, this Togo Leather 30 cm Vert Anis Birkin from 2006 looks as if it was never used. It comes in its precious orange box, but the plastic is no longer on the hardware. Yes, it is pre-owned, but ever so gently used that it meets the Decades high standard of quality. The color Vert Anis was recently offered in crocodile at Decades, but sold very quickly as did yesterday's Biscuit colored Birkin, so act fast.

Hermes Birkin 30 cm Togo Leather in Vert Anis with Palladium Hardware, 2006 J Stamp. Reconditioned by Hermes in Beverly Hills and in sublime condition...

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

SWIFT IN THE BOX

It's the latest color from Hermes, called Biscuit, and this is BRAND NEW 35 CM Birkin in SWIFT Leather with Palladium Hardware. K Stamp. Act fast, as leather Birkins fly out of here super fast, as you all know. Biscuit is like cafe au lait. This color will match everything and SWIFT leather is light and very accomodating as it's texture is very lightly peebled so it helps against scratches.

Hermes Birkin in SWIFT Leather, color Biscuit with Palladium Hardware, K Stamp 2007. BRAND NEW, UNUSED IN THE BOX.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting. SOLD

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

Don't hate us. We know we are one of your favorite resources from pre-owned Hermes bags, especially Birkin bags, but we haven't posted a leather one in a few weeks. Although we have one divine orange Porosus crocodile 30cm Birkin available at present, we've been a little dry when it comes to traditional and non-exotic leather. This serves as a tease. The picture below is a 30 cm pre-owned Togo leather Birkin that is getting a "facial" at Hermes Beverly Hills as we type. Once she's back from the spa, we will post all the glorious details of this guacamole colored Birkin. However, this Birkin will likely pre-sell to one of our active readers, so feel free to email or phone for more information. It's probably a few more weeks to wait for this Birkin to be up-to-Decades-standard (we wanted to spruce up the corners), but if you want a head-start, we can pre-sell it to you now :)

Hermes Anes 30 cm Togo Leather Birkin, J stamp 2006

To purchase this bag in advance of it's spa trip, email blog@decadesinc.com or phone 323 655 0223. Remember to include your full name, phone number, as well as, City, State, and Country from which you email.

YSL BLING

It's a big moment for contemporary designer costume jewelry. Not since the 1980s, have designers been piling on the faux-bling. Have you looked at the prices of designer costume jewelry lately? Four and five figures are not unusual to pay for high-fashion jewelry, even if the materials are not conventionally precious. We have been fans of great 20th Century designer costume jewelry since Decades opened in 1997. As much as we adore great 20th Century Couture and Ready-To-Wear, we have also always proposed adorning your body with great gems, too.

Yves Saint Laurent always showed amazing costume jewelry in both his Couture and Ready-to-Wear shows, so it's no surprise that a lot of our costume jewelry inventory is stamped "YSL". The trio of YSL offerings below will end up on some Decades blog readers vanity in no time...we just can't get enough of YSL jewelry!
Yves Saint Laurent sculptured and textured gold wide cuff, c 1980s.SOLD Yves Saint Laurent scuptured and hammered earrings (to match bracelet), c 1980s.SOLD
Yves Saint Laurent baby blue and clear diamond crystal earrings with gold metal scroll frame, c 1980s. SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

DECADES IS BRINGING SEXY BACK

Decades and Kristin Davis have a nice fashion history. Kristin has worn vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture from Decades to the Vanity Fair Oscar party and vintage Galanos to the Golden Globes in the past.

Tonight was a special night for Kristin and her chic Sex and the City cast members. It was the world premiere of the long-awaited film, but it wasn't in New York City. Rather, it was in London. Go figure? On this very special night, Kristin chose a vintage Guy Laroche Haute Couture raspberry chiffon cocktail dress from Decades and we are proud to see Kristin looking so beautiful.

Kristin Davis in vintage Guy Laroche Haute Couture at the World Premiere of Sex and the City on May 12th, 2008

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER!

There's a new hue in town and it's like "buttah." That's right, butter is the color de jeur. Why butter? Well, why not? Besides we love the title of this post!

Leave it to Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture to whip up a better butter-hued silk taffeta concoction that's a little bit Monte Carlo casino arm-candy mixed with Belle Epoque glam-a-rama, with a touch of old Hollywood. The ruched bustier gown has an incredible neckline beckoning for a yellow diamond collar. The slim skirt is accented with a dramatic sash, so you look poised and opulent from 360 degrees.


Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture butter silk taffeta evening dress, c early 1980s. Label removed. Modern size 4

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

Fabulous Costume Jewelry Megapost!

Dearest Decades Readers... We know how deeply you love your costume jewelry. In an effort to keep it fun and fresh, we've accumulated some classic pieces and some wild, eccentric ones as well! The anonymous gold frog necklace and earrings below, for instance, are about as crazy and fun as we've ever seen. They're listed separately, but buy them as a pair--they should stay together, don't you think?
Anonymous Gold Frog Necklace and Earrings, c. 1980s. Available as a set or as separates.

Next, we're on to some great pieces by Chanel and Kenneth Jay Lane. The KJL earrings below are reminisecent of Thierry Mugler star-shaped fragrance bottles and ornamentation, but they're a perfect way to top off a celestially-inspired outfit. Next are four offerings from Chanel, ranging from gold quilted drops to crystal CC clips. With Mother's Day just around the corner, we can't think of a more chic--or original--gift.

Kenneth Jay Lane Silver & Crystal Star Earrings, c. 1980s.

Chanel Daisy Arc Earrings in Gold with Pearl Center, c. 1980s.

Chanel Gold Diamond and Quilted CC Logo Drop Earrings, c. 1980s.

Chanel Gold & Black CC Logo Clip Earrings, c. 1980s.

Chanel Gold and Crystal CC Logo Clip Earrings, c. 1980s.

Finally, we're finishing off with three great Kenneth Jay Lane bracelets. The first is great for the equestrienne with a taste for decadence--it's a horsey bracelet in white enamel and crystal! Next are two enamel bangles, one in coral and one in white.

Kenneth Jay Lane White Enamel and Crystal Horse Bracelet, c. 1980s.


Kenneth Jay Lane White & Black Enamel and Crystal Bangle, c. 1980s. SOLD
Kenneth Jay Lane White & Coral Enamel and Crystal Bangle, c. 1980s. SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

OLE

Are you feeling Flamenco? There's something about the approaching summer that makes Decades feel "bullish" about a bit of Spanish influence on fashion. This Louis Feraud red and black strapless polka dot dress has a tinge of Marbella that might make you want to stomp your feet and grab a pair of castanets. The gathered chiffon bustier has a side zipper for easy access and the skirt has a wonderful apron-effect flounce with a high slit and ruffle trim that reveals another layer of chiffon to complete the skirt.

So grab a bowl of gazpacho, throw on a mantilla, put an Almodovar film in your DVD, and invite your favorite Matador over for a pitcher of Sangria.


Louis Feraud red and black chiffon polka dot strapless "Spanish-style" dress, c 1980s. Marked size 6, modern size 4

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

THE HARDER SIDE OF DECADES

So we've given you the soft, so how about a little edgy and hard? This Gianni Versace LBD is the antithesis of anonymous. An intriguing mix of snake skin, lace, nude chiffon, and silk faille, this black dress packs a lot of personality and texture into a simple V-neck silhouette. The strips of snake skin are definitely edgy, but the lace is a wonderful and soft counterpart to the aggressive angular lean swatches.

The indispensable LBD is made fresh and ferocious by Gianni Versace. We promise the snake skin won't bite, but an admirer just might, when you wear this dress!


Gianni Versace Couture snake skin, lace, and silk V-neck sleeveless cocktail dress. c mid 1990s. Modern size 4 - 6

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

SOFTER SIDE OF DECADES

Lately we have been tempting you with some hard-edge clothing from the closets of a few Super Women, but now we are returning to the "softer side" of Decades with a beautiful Valentino lavender silk spaghetti-strap gown with polka-dot ruffles. With the busy month of June weddings rapidly approaching, fashionable attendees need appropriate attire that isn't boring, but remains appropriate and not distracting from the bride's big day.

We think a modification of southern charm and style is evidenced in this Valentino boutique design from the early 1980s that manages to have personality, while still being a little bit country, but not a little bit rock 'n roll. It's the type of dress that fits the bill for a summer black tie wedding.

Valentino Boutique lavender silk spaghetti strap dress with complimentary polka-dot trim and satin sash, c early 1980s. Marked size 8, Modern size 6

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

They don't make clothes as detailed as these Thierry Mugler designs from the 1980s anymore. Why? It's super expensive to design intricately tailored clothing. It's inexpensive to design a smock dress, though! This will be our last ode to Mugler before Monday night's Costume Institute gala. When you take a look at the catalogue for the Superheroes exhibition, expect to see a lot of Thierry Mugler, but those frocks won't be for sale. Leave it to your favorite store Decades, to satiate the Mugler in you. We've been a champion for Mugler for quite a while now, and we are excited to see our fashionable clients embracing the return of tailored, sculptural, and dramatic designs.

Thierry Mugler black viscose/acetate blend long sleeve dress with scallop neckline and velvet inserts, c 1980s. Marked size 38, modern 4 to 6

Thierry Mugler sensual light wool crepe jumpsuit with gathers and hip and cat's eye pin, c 1980s. Marked size 40, contemporary 6 DEADSTOCK/UNWORN

Thierry Mugler wool "smocking" with satin details on jacket and nipped in waist. Includes, high-waist pleated pants with signature closure, c 1980s. Marked size 38, modern size 4 to 6.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

Chanel Exhibitionists!

From the photo below, it may suggest that Decades is a clothing optional boutique! Yes, we are in the business of selling amazing vintage couture, but we also love to sell amazing vintage accessories, too! Sometimes, a little nudity is what we need to move the inventory. Perhaps, we really are proponents of the adage that "Sex Sells."

Let's focus on the Chanel. From the same owner, we are pleased to offer a totally hip and hop Chanel CC medallion gold tone necklace, a coordinating CC pin, and a very functional black leather quilted lambskin bucket bag with a...you guest it, CC charm!
Chanel gold tone metal "CC" logo necklace and coordinating pin, c 1980s.


Chanel quilted lambskin bucket bag with 3 compartment, including central zippered compartment, c 1980s. Made In Italy 11 1/2" at top, 10 1/2 " at bottom, 10 1/2 " high. Sold with Chanel dust cover and original box

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

LANVIN MODERNIST FOR PURISTS

Everyone seems to be mad for the contemporary Lanvin jewelry. We agree, it's great to see faux gems done so beautifully in contemporary fashion. In the 60s, Lanvin produced many wonderful space age and modernist pieces of jewelry and we are particularly impressed with the design represented on this post today. A mix of gold cord with three cream Bakelite sculptural nuggets.

It's a statement piece and that's what we love about faux-bling.



Lanvin bakelite and gold cord modernist necklace, c late 1960s SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

EASY BREEZY DRESSING THAT'S FLOWY AND FLOUNCY

Are you a Cover Girl? Well, even if you aren't ready for your close-up, we are sure you are ready for "easy breezy" dressing and these two 70s dresses by Ossie Clark and Leonard are effortless and instant chic!





Ossie Clark with Celia Birtwell iconic print crepe dress, c early 1970s. Marked size 38, contemporary 4 to 6.

Leonard silk chiffon peasant-inspired neckline with silk jersey sash, c 70s. Modern size 4 to 6

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.