A Little Bit Dramatic....

Inspired by the Greek gods of fashion (left) and good taste (right), we're pleased to bring you some ultra-dramatic Isabel Canovas costume jewelry! Our first selection is fit for an evening at the theatre, a festive costume gala, or a Mardi Gras extravaganza: slightly-matching gold mask earrings in etched gold. But if your left ear insists on knowing what the right ear is doing, the golden leaf and black wood hoops are probably a more sensible selection.

Isabel Canovas Mardi Gras Earrings in Gold, c. 1980s.

Isabel Canovas Gold Leaves on Black Hoops, 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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"Can't You See The Forest For The Sleeves?"

We recently came across this remarkable Azzedine Alaia wool dress in seasonally-chic forest green. The cut and fabrication are unmistakeably Alaia, but the two-layered bell sleeve channels a hippy-dippy vibe that's anything but. It's a great study in contrasts! (Note: the camera flash doesn't do justice to the color of this garment--in person, it's much more vibrant and not nearly as sheer as it looks on the mannequin!)


Alaia Forest Green Wool Dress with Remarkable Layered Bell Sleeve, c. 1980s. Marked size small, fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD

PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

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Emanuel Ungaro for a Hot Autumn

Clearly, the snarky fashionista who coined the "no white after Labor Day" rule didn't live in Los Angeles. It's hot! Fortunately, Decades just acquired two lightweight Emanuel Ungaro creations that will enable you to wear black without being torched by the late summer sun. The first is an intriguing peak-a-boo jersey dress that features draping across the waist; the second is a floral brocade blouse in organza with a decadent poof sleeve and fascinating button designs (unfortunately, not visible in this photograph).


Ungaro Parallele Black Jersey Dress with Dramatic Sleeve and Peak-a-Boo Back, c. 1980s. Marked size 6, fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD


Ungaro Parallele Black Floral Brocade Organza Blouse with Pleated Poof Sleeves, c. 1980s. Marked size 6, fits a contemporary size 4 to 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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ZANY FOR ZANDRA, AGAIN

When it rains, it pours, and right now we are lucky with great Zandra Rhodes dresses that are imminently wearable and wonderful to rediscover. But what do you do with a drop waist dress that some might think would only look great on a super model? Well, you blouse it and turn into a tunic with a simple belt!

With the option below you really get two dresses: the drop waist version AND when bloused, you have a fantastic nymph-friendly tunic straight out of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Technically, you really, really do get two dresses: the chiffon drop waist dress which is accompanied by a jersey slip dress, which could be worn independent of the chiffon dress, too). Imagine the drop waist with heels, but when worn as a tunic with flats. You could take this into fall with tights and we might even suggest a pair of boots for someone not afraid to make a bold statement. However, if you are even considering a Zandra Rhodes dress, then we think you have the confidence to wear this dress in a multitude of ways. Like all Decades clients, you are a fashion setter, not follower.




Zandra Rhodes early 80s drop waist black chiffon dress with pearl trim and net neckline Marked UK10/US8 Modern size 6-8. Accompanied by a Zandra Rhodes jersey slip dress, pictured underneath the painted chiffon dress. 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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Accessories Megapost 2: Back to School Edition!

There's a new cultural phenomenon sweeping America... chances are, you've seen it everywhere. Billboards, newspapers, TV... even your kids are talking about it! No, no, we're not talking about High School Musical 2; it's Chanel back-to-school madness! For our second accessories megapost, we're bringing you precious vintage minipurses and backpacks for kids from 1 to 92.

UPDATE: Three out of five sold in 72 hours.... you have to act fast!

There's a certain je ne sais quoi about vintage Chanel quilted bags--we think the gold-toned hardware and sumptous leather only gets better with time. We bring it to you here in classic quilted ivory leather and a fascinating octagonal Mountbatten pink lizard! Both bags feature Chanel's signature gold CC logo and biker chain handles woven with leather. Now you can be one of the cool kids, ditching class to smoke cigarettes behind the cafeteria (what else fits in that little bag?).



Chanel Ivory Quilted Leather Purse with Gold CC Closure and Woven Chain, c. 1980s. Measures 5½" x 4" x 2". SOLD


Chanel Rare Mountbatten Pink Lizard Purse in Octagonal Shape with Gold CC Closure and Woven Chain. Measures 7½" x 6" x 2". SOLD


Let's put on our parent hats, now. As cute as that little purse is, your student needs something a bit more practical for the first day of school. Decades has options that will dazzle the studious shopper with Chanel backpacks in three shapes and colors! The first is a simple but chic drawstring backpack in pebbled cognac leather, perfect for the blossoming equestrianne; it shows some slight marking but is generally in excellent condition. Second, a soft suede cocoa drawstring backpack with a playful tassel has just the right flair for the art department. Last, but gothically not least, a signature black quilted calfskin bag to keep your 4th grader on the bleeding edge of fashion.



Chanel Caviar Leather Drawstring Backpack in Cognac with Gold CC Hardware and Chain Straps, c. 1980s. Measures 11" x 12" x 5". SOLD



Chanel Quilted Suede Backpack in Cocoa with Gold CC Hardware and Ornamental Tassel, c. 1980s. Measures 12" x 15½" x 5". THIS ITEM IS NOW AVAILABLE AT DECADES LONDON IN DOVER STREET MARKET +44 (20) 7518 0680. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.



Chanel Black Quilted Calfskin Backpack with Gold CC Hardware and Chain Straps, c. 1980s. Measures 13½" x 14" x 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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Shiny Things Make Us Happy

Shiny things are popular again. There's something alluring about a great lurex dress that's beyond our ability to explain--it's almost like dangling a tin foil toy before the curious paws of a kitten. The first dress, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche from the 1980s, is channeling a Krystle Carrington vibe (in a good way) with a strong shoulder and vibrant color. We're grasping for a pop culture reference that's appropriate for the Jean Louis Scherrer metallic shirt-dress pictured below... Batwoman, perhaps? It's definitely larger than life with a plunging neckline, accordion pleats, and a popped collar.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Cerulean Satin Dress with Deep V-Neck, c. Late 1980s. Marked size 36; fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD


Jean Louis Scherer Silver Lurex Shirt-Dress with Accordion Pleats, c. 1980s. Marked size 38; 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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Hautest of the Haute

If craftsmanship is a good reason to buy vintage, rarity is an added bonus. Why not get both with a sumptous creation by Madame Grés, arguably the greatest of the now-defunct Parisian couturiers? Madame Grés was a master of the craft who perfected the art of draping and pleating in the course of her celebrated career. The black gown pictured below features pleated jersey in a diagonal checkerboard pattern across the bust (it's a feat that took our tailor weeks to restore). The coral dress beneath it suits a woman who favor more color but demands the same attention to detail--this piece employs clever pleating across the straps and along the hem. Madame Grés is seriously collectable, and we suggest that you strike while the iron is hot!


Madame Grés Haute Couture Black Diagonally-Pleated Jersey Gown, c. 1950s. Fits a contemporary size 6 to 8.

Madame Grés Haute Couture Coral Crepe Silk Pleated Gown, c. 1955. Fits a contemporary size 2 to 4.

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

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