BACK TO HAUTE COUTURE

We have posted some great Ready to Wear pieces the last few days, but here is a fine example of Christian Dior HAUTE COUTURE from P/E 1968, when Marc Bohan designed. This ecru gazar gown features gorgeous embroidered cap sleeves and bodice that continues the details to just around the hips. The close-up shots show the intricate embroidery of a cobweb pattern in silver metallic thread with overlays of crystals and gold embroidery. The details are extraordinary. The dress is fitted around the bust and arms but the skirt is fluid. At nearly forty years old, the dress seems entirely contemporary and year-round wearable. We even love it with a metallic flat, but finessed off with some Graaf diamond studs or a Buccellati cuff. It will match both yellow and white gold jewelry.

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Marc Bohan P/E ecru embroidered short sleeve gown. SOLD

(The gown was painstakingly hand cleaned by Brown's in Santa Monica but some intermittent spotting was impossible to remove. The gown remains entirely wearable, however). Contemporary US 4 (the top is fitted) but the skirt portion can fit someone less-narrow at the hips.

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

Read More

Sporty Sexy Chic

Well, friends, the marvelous summer of 2007 is drawing to a close. It's been a good one for us. And while we're already feeling misty-eyed as the fall collections hit the racks, we're here to remind you that summer isn't over just yet! You still have two glorious weeks of fun in the sun to rock vintage kicks from master designer (and compulsive tanorexic) Karl Lagerfeld!

Perhaps you've been busy shopping for back-to-school clothes for the kids. Why not send them off with an early geometry lesson in Chloé? Both of these pieces date to Karl's tenure at the house, where he seems to have been fascinated by wavy lines, obtuse triangles, and grids of rectangular paneling. The first dress is feather-light in green silk, while the second--a sexy high-neck halter with plunging back--features an almost athletic viscose blend.


Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld Green Geometric Print Silk Summer Gown, c. late 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld Shades of Midnight Vicose Mesh Halter Dress, c. late 1970s. Marked size 38; fits a contemporary size 4.

Decades also found this chic Karl Lagerfeld creation from the 1980s to whisk you into fall. In navy silk plisse, it's a bit more appropriate for an autumn soiree; but with a halter neck and sheer leg panel, it's still got a touch of summer.

Karl Lagerfeld Midnight Silk Plisse Halter with Sheer Chiffon Leg Panel and Textured Striping, c. early 1980s. Marked size 40; fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

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

Read More

Oh, Mary!

It's not hard to pick a Mary McFadden dress out of a crowd, and these three new arrivals prove it!

This gown is sort of like the triple axel of formalwear. McFadden throws together some crazy design elements, including voluminous proportions, sturdy hammered silk, an oversized bow, and a distinctive color (we call it rose dust!), and she pulls it off!

Mary McFadden Couture Rose Dust Hammered Silk One-Shoulder Dress with Oversize Bow, c. late 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

The next two pieces are more recognizably hers, with signature Fortuny-style pleats and a slim yet breezy silhouette. The first is an electric orchid, while the second is burgandy with glass-adorned shoulder straps. If you can't get enough, just check out our past arrivals by clicking here and here!

Mary McFadden Couture Orchid Fortuny Pleat Silk Cocktail Dress, Crossed at the Bust, c. early 1980s. Marked size 8; fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

Mary McFadden Burgandy Fortuny Pleat Dress with Glass Beaded Straps, c. late 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

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

Read More

Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion!

This summer, relive your high school glory days in the clothes you wish you'd had! Givenchy's black cocktail dress with ruffled taffeta skirt and oversized jeweled buttons is pretty Eighties fabulous. But we know Romy and Michelle favor a bit more color, making the Yves Saint Laurent strapless black and fuchsia polkadot minidress equally alluring. And no Eighties fantasy prom would be complete without Emanuel Ungaro! We bring you two options: the first, sexy and chic in black ruched silk with colorful flowers; the second, vivacious and cool in floral print plum taffeta. The mean girls will be so jealous...

Givenchy Black Jersey and Taffeta Tiered Dress with Ruching and Jeweled Buttons, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 4 SOLD

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black and Fuchsia Gazar Polkadot Party Dress, c. 1980s. Marked size 38, fits a contemporary size 4 SOLD

Emanuel Ungaro Black Silk Ruched Floral Print Party Dress, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

Emanuel Ungaro Plum Taffeta Ruched Cocktail Dress with Rose Floral Pattern, c. 1980s. Fits a contemporary size 6 to 8 SOLD

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

Read More

Anglo-Mango...

...Well, okay, they're not exactly mangoes. Those are pineapples that adorn this Ossie Clark crepe silk "Lulu" dress for Radley, a perfect English day dress with a flounced collar and hem. Those of you who don't yet own an Ossie should act quickly on one of the four recently-posted items on the blog--these dresses are timeless and totally collectable! Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell for Radley Moss Crepe "Lulu" Dress With Pineapple Print and Flounced Collar, c. early 1970s. SOLD

Decades also discovered this totally chic dress by Yuki while in London. It's a bit more evening appropriate, evoking an Old Hollywood vibe, in scarlet draped silk jersey with a neck that plunges to the waist. The sleeve on this dress is fascinating, draped around the arm to dramatic effect (unfortunately, it's not visible in this picture). Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6.

Yuki Draped Silk Jersey Evening Gown in Scarlet with Billowy Sleeve and Plunging Neckline, c. late 1970s. Labelled UK 10, US 8; Fits contemporary 4 to 6. SOLD

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

Read More

YSL Walk on the Wild Side!

Rocker chicks rejoice in these Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche cocktail dresses from the 1980s! The first, a leopard print wrap dress in shades of black and grey, which dives to a deep V in the front (we added the belt, also Yves Saint Laurent, to give it an extra-sexy shape). But it's nothing compared to the outrageous bustier dress in sultry black lace with billowy peasant sleeves, pictured below. Pour some sugar on us!

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Shades of Black & Grey Leopard Print Wrap Dress, c. 1980s SOLD

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Suede Belt, Ties with Braided Rope, c. 1970s SOLD

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Lace Bustier Dress with Sheer Billowy Sleeves, c. 1980s

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

Read More

ALAIA... Enough Said!

Let's just keep this really simple. Here is a late 1980s Azzedine Alaia stretch acetate knit mock-turtleneck dress with long sleeves and a short skirt. It's black and the knit is "water-marked" in a subtle moire pattern that is very difficult for us to show in a picture. But, you get the picture. Straight up sexy...forever sexy.

Alaia late 80s moire motif on knit stretch acetate black mock turtleneck dress. Marked size XS SOLD

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

Read More