Chanel Haute Couture for the Lady in Red

It's crazy busy here at Decades, but we are trying desperately to keep the blog updated with our latest arrivals and charming quips about each piece. That being said, we are so distracted, so forgive us if our descriptions seem a bit lazy, but the phones are ringing off the hook and the store resembles a First Class lounge at a international busy airport with shoppers from around the world happily enjoy Decades.

So let's keep this nice and easy: Chanel Haute Couture light weight coat in a fantastic red boucle that would make Nancy Reagan sigh. You will love the "C C" interwoven buttons and the cut is slim. Very late 1950s. Very Decades. Very Coco Chanel
Chanel Haute Couture red boucle light weight coat c late 50s to early 60s. Modern size 4 SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Walk on the Wild Side in Haute Couture!

Prints are stronger than ever for Spring 2008, so why not get a jump on your fashionista competitors with the ultimate luxury: haute couture? Our first option comes to you, surprisingly, from Chanel. It's a wild, bubblegum pink column gown with dramatic cape in chiffon (and yes, those are gold lamé tiger stripes you see). Think it can't get any rarer than that? Well, think again! Now-defunct couturier Phillipe Venet designed the next dress, a garden party mousseline short-to-long creation from the 1970s. Our final selection isn't exactly haute couture, but it was made-to-order from Bergdorf Goodman and is, perhaps, the king of the food chain in Leopard spots.

Chanel Haute Couture Bubblegum Pink Chiffon Cape Dress with Gold Lamé Tiger Stripes, c. 1966. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

Phillipe Venet Haute Couture Short-to-Long Mousseline Psychadelic Floral Dress, c. early 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

Bergdorf-Goodman Leopard Print Chiffon Dress with Cape, 1972. Fits a contemporary size 6. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Chanel Couture, Just In Time For Winter

Today, it's a balmy 78 degrees in Los Angeles... but we understand, gentle reader, that year-round warmth is a luxury not all are fortunate enough to enjoy. Might we suggest a little Chanel Haute Couture to help you stay warm in style this winter? The classic oatmeal tweed knit suit below gets a kick of color from the matching striped blouse in lime and mocha, while the second suit features shades-of-grey striped tweed and creme cashmere tee blouse. Both looks are timeless and unique--perfect for the Decades girl!

Chanel Haute Couture Oatmeal Tweed Knit Suit with Lime-Striped Cashmere Blouse, c. 1960s. Fits a contemporary size 4.

Chanel Haute Couture Shades of Black & White Tweed Knit Suit with Creme Cashmere Blouse, c. 1960s. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Stars Rock the Emmys, Decades Style!

Hollywood kicked off the awards show season tonight in style with the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium! As always, there were fashion hits and misses; but there were some real standouts, and they came from Decades! Before you can even ask, "what were they wearing?," we're here with the answers...

Actress and model Rebecca Romijn of ABC's "Ugly Betty" exuded sophistication and classic Hollywood sex appeal in a Guy Larouche Haute Couture drop-waist beaded tank gown with sway skirt from the 1970s.

Actress Rachel Griffiths, nominated for her role as Sarah Whedon on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," rocked out in a Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld bustier dress, c. 1980s.

Hostess with the mostest Stacy London, style correspondent for "Access Hollywood" and star of TLC's "What Not To Wear," glammed it up in a crimson Estevez swag dress, c. 1970s.

Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge one of our favorite couples of the evening: Portia de Rossi, who wore a spectacular serpant gown by Azzaro by Vanessa Seward with Boucheron square-cut diamond studs, and Ellen DeGeneres, who spiffed up a classy tux jacket with Boucheron's signature Delilah woven gold and diamond-studded necklace. Brava, ladies!

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Attack of the Little Black Dress

If there's one thing you probably don't need, it's another little black dress, right? Well... tough luck. These stunning couture selections from Chanel and Pierre Balmain are some of the finest specimens we've ever seen--you must have them.

We love the modern cut and unusal vertical slits of this Pierre Balmain black wool crepe haute couture cocktail dress. Balmain is on the rise again--we recommend that readers check out contemporary selections from the Balmain Ivoire line (it's available at Ron Herman-Melrose here in LA). For something quintessentially chic, though, Chanel is the way to go. The grey linen dress pictured below isn't technically a little black dress, but the vibe is the same; what a classy way to flash some skin! LBD purists may prefer the other Chanel, a bias-cut V-neck in wool crepe with asymmetric buttons down the black and sheer triangular hem. Each dress fits a contemporary size 4.

Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Wool Crepe Dress with Vertical Slits, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Grey Linen Cocktail Dress with Sheer Tulle Panel, c. 1980s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Black Wool Crepe Cocktail Dress with Asymmetric Buttons and Sheer Paneled Hem, c. 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Stunning Haute Couture

With autumn's couture presentations just days away, Decades is pleased to announce the arrival of trunkloads of stunning vintage couture! Listed below are just two of our many new arrivals--check back daily to view exquisite finds from Chanel, Balmain, and more.

The first is a magnificent Givenchy Haute Couture silk chiffon gown with a wide tie in the back, adorned with petal cutouts. Though the gown dates back to the late 1970s, it demonstrates an effect that has been popularized in recent years by designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte. Fits a size 4. SOLD



Next is a Chanel Haute Couture creation by Karl Lagerfeld from the mid-1980s. The silk chiffon dress and jacket are sumptuously adorned with gold bugle beading; it's a timeless design from a house that stands as a pillar of class and sophistication in an ever more crowded field of throwaway fashion. Fits a size 4 to 6.

Givenchy Haute Couture Black Organza Halter Dress with Circular Cutouts, c. late 1970s SOLD

Chanel Haute Couture Gold Beaded Dress and Jacket, c. 1980s SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Endlessly Chic Chanel!

The next two dresses illuminate every characteristic that makes us love Chanel so much. The first, a ready-to-wear piece from the 1980s, features drapes of knit jersey, satin lining, gold and black enamel buttons, and pockets (how revolutionary!). It's timeless and sophisticated and demonstrates an attention to detail that is all too often absent from the trend machine that is contemporary ready-to-wear. Fits a size 4.




Next, a sumptuous Chanel Haute Couture gown from the 1980s in delicate drapes of silk chiffon. These photographs fail to capture the exquisite beauty of the black and gold beaded embroidery and the custom Chanel coin buttons (featured in a different variety on the previous dress). This dress fits a contemporary size 4.



Chanel Boutique Black Knit Strapless Gown with Satin Lining, c. 1980s SOLD
Chanel Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Gown with Gold and Black Embroidery, liked A/W 86-87 SOLD
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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COUTURE THROUGH THE DECADES, pun intended!

Below please find two examples of perfectly sublime little black dresses. One from the 60s by Coco Chanel; the other, sexed up version from early 90s by Herve Leger. They may have been designed 30 years apart, but their relevance in the 21st Century as fashion must-haves are indisputable.
Coco Chanel Haute Couture LBD in silk with belt and covered buttons in shirt maker style. Tight on our size 4 mannequin, so best for someone closer to a 2 SOLD

Herve Leger Couture classic bandage dress with sweetheart neckline. Contemporary size 4. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223

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Decades & Chloë Sevigny in the Los Angeles Times

This Sunday's edition of the Los Angeles Times profiles Academy Award-nominated actress Chloë Sevigny in a very excellent article by Rose Apodaca. Chloë stopped by Decades for the Times' photo shoot, where she discovered stunning couture by Chanel (pictured top), Paco Rabanne (pictured bottom), and Yves Saint Laurent. The article is available here to online subscribers--be sure to pick up a copy for the gorgeous photos.

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Chanel Haute Couture Handbag

Today, more often than not, Haute Couture, is about the spectacle and even more so the accessories. While only a small portfolio of women the world over can afford the gowns, separates and suits that come down the runway there are many more than can afford to buy the bags and shoes.

Way back when the bags and shoes and gloves and hats and yes the bags two were all part of the same buying circle. It wasn't that you couldn't afford the clothing so you bought the bags, it was that if you buy the clothing you have to buy the bag that goes with that look number. So as we do not have the look we will leave that up to you but we have the bag!

Chanel, 70s, Haute Couture, square quilted metallic brocade pochette with chain link strap.7"x6" SOLD

For further information or to purchase please contact blog@decadesinc.com

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Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Cardigan

This evening cardigan can go two ways. Either a hot 20-something is going to wear this with black leggings a bustier and some amazing towering shoes, or a refined lady is going to wear it with some fabulously cut YSL trousers or a skirt to make it even more dressy. Either way this cardigan is utterly fabulous and trend setting chic.

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture, late 70s, LeSage embroidered evening cardigan hand detailed and decorated around cuffs and hem with mini crystals, in a size 4-6. SOLD

For further information or to purchase please contact blog@decadesinc.com

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Chanel Assymetric Haute Couture

This dress is quite exceptional. An early creation from Lagerfeld at Chanel it is extremely conceptual and stands out from his later vision at Chanel which was far more Coco inspired. This dress maintains traditional hints of the House of Chanel but infuses it with what would be extremely of-the-moment references in the construction and design of the top half of the dress.

Chanel Haute Couture, early 80s, cocktail dress in dark purple silk jersey with asymmetric neck line and pleated skirt. A dramatic ensemble to say the least. A contemporary size 4.

For further information or to purchase please contact blog@decadesinc.com

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