LADY IN RED

A friend of mine who is a very beautiful woman once told me that when she met her husband she was wearing a red Alaia dress. He remembers her entering the room in a fitted red Alaia and falling immediately in love with her. They are married now for 17 happy years. She still wears Alaia often but for him she will always be the woman in a red dress entering the room. That is the power of a dress. 

-Eri 

Alaia red rayon dress, c 1980’s. Marked size M. Modern size 4-6. 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.

PANTY LINES R THE NEW BLURRED LINES

So much has been happening in Paris during Fashion Week.  Raf did a stellar Dior.  Schiaparelli announced their expected creative director, Marco Zannini.  Rumors suggest that Marc Jacobs final Vuitton show could be imminent.  However, the one thing I really wanted to attend was the opening of Azzedine Alaia's retrospective currently on display at Palais Galliera. 

I have spent many fun afternoons and evenings with Azzedine.  Once he cooked me lunch with guests including legendary ginger model Bettina and  Belgian beauty Hannelore Knuts.  We have had dinner with my French "mamas," too.  Every time, I always bring Azzedine a vintage piece for his collection.  Mostly from Claire McCardell.  In return, he usually gives me a unisex clutch and I complain that he doesn't make anything for men. 

When I return to Paris for the January Couture shows I will certainly attend this retrospective and do note it closes on 26 January.  You can always get your Alaia addiction on at Decades and this mock turtleneck viscose scuba dress with revealing net inserts at the hip, back, and arms is ready for you to blur some lines.  View more Alaia from Decades here.

-Cameron

Alaia black cotton/viscose blend net dress, c.1980's. Marked size small, modern size 4-6.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.

Alaia black long sleeve gown

If you don't have an Alaia floor length dress in your closet that could fit in a zip-lock sandwich bag you are clearly suffering sartorially.  A 21st century Wonder Woman needs an evening dress that's light and smushable for when she has to suddenly twirl from work garb to evening wear in a New York Minute.  This Azzedine Alaia makes the transition easy.  Seriously, put it in a zip lock bag at the bottom of your purse along with some statement earrings and your boldest red lips.  Change in a gas station bathroom (keep your Atwood heels on pa-leeze), put on the above, and your transformation to ultra-glam is complete.  I should write a self-help style book.  By the way, it's Alaia and it clings, so make sure you are either toned or have the proper under-garments to create the illusion of a toned physique. 

-Cameron

Alaia black long sleeve gown of acetate, c.1980's. Marked size S, modern size 4-6. 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.

ALAIA LOVES VIONNET

It's no secret that Azzedine Alaia loves Vionnet and has a pretty killer collection of her impeccable bias cut gowns from the 1920s and 1930s in his personal museum.  When this wool coat came in I was seduced by the two-tone wool (matte and shiny) as well as unusual back cape detail.  But honey, that ain't nothin'!  When I opened the coat I realized it was as if Alaia took the footprint of an iconic Vionnet gown and built the coat around it.  Check out Eri's demonstration showcasing the inside of the dress and notice how the internal construction is separate from the outside of the actual cape attachment.  

                                         

Alaia black wool coat. c. 1980's. Marked size 8, modern size 4-6. 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.

URSULA ANDRESS UNDRESS

This wheat colored Alaia bra requires some gravity-defying breasts.  If you are looking for support, this is not the bra for you!  If you are looking for supporters, this bra will guarantee a plethora of them.  Wrap the straps seductively around your midsection and get ready to capture James Bond.
-Cameron

Azzedine Alaia viscose blend "Ursula Andres"s wrap bra, c. 1980s.  Marked size M
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.

IT'S THE SEASON OF THE BELLY

Since the midriff is fashion’s erogenous zone du jour, why not cut to the chase with this Alaia bra that is marked size small but can handle a more generous cup, unlike some of the other Alaia bra tops I will post in the next few days?  Bare your bosom and burn your bra…just not this Alaia!
-Cameron

                                                   
Azzedine Alaia cream viscose-blend bra, c. 1980s.  Marked size 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.

THE KING OF CLING

When Edith Piaf said: "when a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place", she knew very well the power of the little black dress. Who better to design a sexy little number than Azzedine Alaia. Traditionally designers hang a dress on the shoulders, Alaia prefers to use the entire body to support fabrics, wrapping them tight, using viscose jersey and transparent materials to arouse the viewers's attention. The top is cut to accentuate the bust and the halter neckline give the shoulder a much needed focus. Just throw this dress on with heels or flats and you are good to go anywhere.
-Eri






Azzedine Alaia black viscose jersey dress, c. 1980's. Modern size 4. 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 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

TANK TOP SEXY

Azzedine Alaia, the undisputed master of shape, has been making sexy clothes for women for a very long time now. This jersey top comes from the 80's, very dramatic decade in terms of silouhettes. The jersey wraps the body and the see through quality of this piece is true to Alaia's statement that clothes look better on the streets ....when turning heads, of course!

-Eri

Azzedine Alaia black jersey tank top, c' 1980's. Modern size Small.

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

THIRD BASE

A woman wearing one of these three Alaia dresses (all of which are the same style) will certainly be the object of desire to many a gentleman (or female) caller fantasizing of going to "third base" when you strut your stuff. The simplest of tank dresses with two spaghetti straps and a ribbed waist in the slightest of length - ending it just underneath your behind. As Mama Rose sings in "Gypsy" during her 11th hour epiphany, "Rose's Turn":

Ya either got it, or ya ain't.

And, boys, I got it!

Ya like it?

Well, I got it!

I don't imagine the actress playing Mama Rose to be singing the number in this Alaia (it is more suited to her daughter, Gypsy Rose Lee; but if ya got it, get it...all three.

-Cameron

Azzedine Alaia viscose blend tank dresses, c. early 1990s. Most marked size S: available in Bisque SOLD; Glacial Blue SOLD; and Black. 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 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

ALAIA - THE GOLDEN TICKET

After the buzz that the much anticipated Alaia Haute Couture show in Paris last week generated, all the fashion world was reminded once again why we all bow to the genius of craft and sharp focus. As Cameron wrote on his review for the Huffington Post: "..look after look proved why Azzedine Alaia is a rare example of a designer who doesn't need to reinvent the wheel every season, but just make it more and more perfect".

We have always been great admirers of Alaia and so have been our faithful customers. It's very hard to keep an Alaia piece in the studio for long. They go as soon as they arrive but it's always a privilege to admire the work of a master from up close.

This two piece azur blue bodysuit and skirt from 1990, is an amazing testament of the craftsmanship that Alaia has developed over the decades. This very sober yet super sexy ensemble should be owned by a real woman who is not afraid to flaunt it!

-Eri




Alaia azur blue two piece bodysuit with skirt, in viscose knit with gray detail. c.90's. Marked Medium Contemporary size 4 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or todd@dtwo1.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

ALAIA IS YOUR BFF

A client of Decades recently wore a vintage Azzedine Alaia divine long gown that she had purchased from our blog to the New Yorkers for Children Gala last week in NYC. She emailed Team Decades from the event to tell us that everyone wanted to buy the dress off her slim bod, including Courtney Love. Her dress was met with such admiration that she is loaning the dress to a relative who has a wedding to attend and knows that Alaia will be her BFF. Speaking of BFFs, this dramatically strapped Alaia just came in with brilliant seaming that makes you slimmer, longer, and will hold in what may want to pop out (i.e., the last five pounds!). The skirt is flirty and the waist slightly drops but just the right drop so it doesn't droop.

If you have a BFF, s/he will never support you the same way this Alaia well and that's what friends are for!

Azzedine Alaia multi-strap black drop waist pleat skirt LBD of viscose, c. early 90s. Marked size XS, modern 2 to trim 6 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.