MINT...IT'S NOT JUST FOR EASTER!

My friend's mother was very close with Karl Lagerfeld during his first stint as the designer at Chloe.  Lagerfeld made many pieces specifically for her.  Forty years later, this chic Berliner continues to wear high fashion but has slowly let me into the depth of her formidable closet and divine vintage collection. 

 

This mint chiffon Chloe evening dress has delicate embroidery, sheer long sleeves, and a luxe hippie vibe.  It may initially appear demure (a big trend on the runways as of late; see Valentino) and flow-y with a double layer skirt, but with a significantly revealing single layer top. It's the type of dress that requires a second tack both as a purchaser and as a viewer of the new owner.  This isn't Granny-chic, but rather a dress that reveals much more than it's first impression requiring a confident body.

 

Mint...it's not just for Easter!

-Cameron

 

Chloe mint chiffon dress with embroidery, c.1970's. Modern size 4-6. 

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.

FOR ALL THE BOHO-BELLES

Karl Lagerfeld is now synonymous with the house of Chanel. His last Haute Couture collection for Chanel shown yesterday was another success. But before bringing Chanel back to life, Lagerfeld left a mark at Chloe making beautiful creations that marked the most exhilarating period of Chloe. This dress is one of those creations. With silk chiffon skirt and sheer bell sleeves, a bow pinned at the hip and fully beaded paysage theme top, this dress is as close to couture as it can be. A shape defining silhouette at the time inspired by both the 20's and 30's, this dress is perfect for all the chic hippie girls who might have (or still could) date Mick Jagger. 

-Eri 

Chloe navy blue silk chiffon dress with beaded top and bell sleeve, 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 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

With Coachella kicking off this weekend the fashion crowd and all the Los Angeles hip kids, are heading off to the desert. Naturally denim shorts and hot pants worn with feather headpieces are a must but one fashionable girl must never forget to pack a chic options. Such as this vintage Chloe summer dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld himself during his tenure at Chloe, known as the headiest period for the brand. And it's obvious why. Lagerfeld at Chloe captured the essence of the brand which remains to this day the label of choice for all bohemians. Made of a nice silk crepe in cream shade with lace panels draped vertically on the skirt  and around the neckline this dress is effortlessly feminine and captures perfectly California dreamin'. 

-Eri 

Chloe cream dress with lace detail, c. 1970's. Modern size 4-6. 

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.

SPANKS NOT REQUIRED

Is there anything more effortless than a caftan?  For those who vacationed in St. Barths, you know what I am talking about.  For our dear friends in the Middle East, your traditional dress is so elegant.  Caftans simply CAN!  This Karl Lagerfeld designed wool bias cut dress Chloe borrows from caftan styling and also incorporates beautiful Art Deco embroidery on the sleeves and across shoulder.  Its not a caftan but it has the ease and comfort of caftan styling in a trapeze silhouette.  I would love this with a pair of suede slippers but for cocktail purposes a pair of pumps might just elevate your height to the "height of fashion."

-Cameron

PS If you indulged during the holidays and can't face Spanks, this doesn't need any extra support!

Chloe burgundy caftan style dress with silk under slip, c.1970's. modern size 4-6. (no label) 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.

YOU CAN THANK CHLOE

When Gaby Aghion founded Chloe in 1952 she also coined the phrase ‘prêt-à-porter."  You see prior to the House of Chloe, it was either Haute Couture or copies of Haute Couture for fashionable women.  The ready to wear market was really invented by Aghion and soon thereafter her Couture colleagues developed more accessible and immediately available collections (Givenchy University and most famously Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche -- fourteen years later).  My ultra-chic Berlin born and bred friend's mother modeled for Karl Lagerfeld in the 1970s when he was designing Chloe.  Every time I visit Berlin she opens her closet a wee bit for me to take some of her choice pieces that Kaiser Karl personally selected for her.  I think I am particularly drawn to Chloe because Lagerfeld was so vintage-inspired particularly by his muse at the time, the late Anna Piaggi.  Piaggi, in addition to being a fashion icon, was a great vintage fashion collector (way before it was socially acceptable).  This is why the looks you will see from Karl's tenure are so retro: inspiration from the 20s to 40s.  This particular chiffon dress is what I might call a tea gown.  With a flutter sleeve, attached necker-chief, delicate lace trimmed slip, and charming horticulture print, I wouldn't be surprised if a Piaggi flea market find from the 30s inspired Karl.

Chloe chiffon"tea gown" dress, c. 1970's. Modern size 4 to 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.

DECADES FASHION FACT: COOL IN CHLOE

I dunno about you, but I'm crazy for Chloé. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, who sensed in a gap in the market between Haute Couture and off-the-rack plain-jane clothing, Chloé from the jump, was a high-end line of soft, exquisitely made feminine clothing with luxe fabrics that didn't conform to Haute Couture rules and regulations but were fashionable well-made clothes that made the woman who couldn't quite afford Dior, stand out in a crowd.

Allegedly, Gaby called this new type of catagory "pret-a-porter". (Who knew she coined the phrase? Btw, Chloé's pret-a-porter lines were so successful, that the couturiers quickly introduced their own versions, with Givenchy being the first to hop on the P-a-P train, with the Givenchy University collection in 1956.) Chloé also made it their business to work with wunderkind designers such as Maxime de la Falaise and Michèle Rosier.

In the mid-60s, Chloé started working with a young upstart designer from Germany, Karl Lagerfeld, maybe you've heard the name. (wink) Several luminous ladies such as Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas and Grace Kelly sported Karl's Chloé clothing.

In 1985, Chloé is purchased by the Richemont Group. They continue to hire top-tier talent, such as Martine Stibon. Eventually, in 1997 Stella McCartney is hired to helm the brand. McCartney takes the brand back to it's roots with feminine coquette-ish clothing and accessories. since McCartney's departure in 2001 to run her own label, today's major design players have worked for the brand including Phoebe Philo and Hannah MacGibbon. Upon MacGibbon's claim of the reins, Chloe Sevigny signs the dotted line and becomes a spokeswoman for the house. It is this pairing, not to mention the shared name, which inspired the Decades online team to post Chloe clothing yesterday followed by clothing by Chloé today.

Personally, I have my eye on a vintage Chloé cream skirt with tiered lace at the hem; though a vintage navy dress with embroidery is also calling my name. Sigh. Decisions, decisions.

To shop our specially-picked grouping of vintage and modern Chloé, click here. For a preview, dig the pieces below.

--Lizzy

Vintage Chloé navy dress with embroidery

Vintage Chloé cream skirt with lace hem

Modern Chloé black dress with deep V-neck

Modern Chloé dress with metallic paillette paisley designs

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING

Winter is just the best excuse for pulling out your favorite pair of boots, no? Of course, winter right now in lala-land means a balmy 80 degrees with nary a could in the sky, but we're still feeling boots in a major way.

So, for Thursday's Through the Decades, we pulled a bunch of bee-yoo-ti-ful boots that we think are must-haves this season from vintage Maud Frizon printed pony knee-highs to white combat boots with strapping and stud detailing courtesy of Chloe that will take you back to your Doc days.

To shop the Boot collection, click here! And don't forget foot candy fans: tomorrow we launch both a $150 shoe section AND an amazing collection of hand-curated special "It' kicks online. Then on Saturday at 9am, we're kicking off our bi-annual in-store shoe sale, with pretty pairs courtesy of all your favorite designers from Alaia to Zanotti, each priced at $150 per pair. Read more about here!

EASE AND FEMINITTY

Brava to my friend Clare Waight Keller on her first Chloe show shown earlier today in Paris. She said she said she wanted to convey a sense of "ease and femininity" and by all reports she has! That's what Chloe has always been about. Karl Lagerfeld designed some of my fav Chloe pieces in the 70s and 80s and I love this bugle bead and peplum skirt floral print which picks up on two trends we are seeing on the runways: Deco and peplums around the hips -- just referenced in a very modern way by Phoebe Philo at Celine and formerly of Chloe. Here you get the best of both in one dress. The top could be ready for the Charleston and the bottom flirts with the Couture-inspired late 50s peplums all over the runways lately but also reminds me of 80s dresses girls wore to Bat Mitzvahs in Bev Hills. Wow I am sure not selling this dress from my description, but you take the good in all those thoughts and voila: c'est tres chic. Wear your hair in a chignon and throw on some pumps (sans platform) and you are very elegant and current.
-Cameron




Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld for Lou Lattimore Dallas bugle bead and floral peplum dress, c. 1980s. Marked size 36, modern 4. 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.

Egg Hunt

If you are not the pastel type, this little black Chloé shirt-maker dress is a fantastic alternative. It is made from a very lightweight silk with a multi-color circle bead pattern in vertical lines all around. The bottom of the skirt is pleated, giving the dress a fun flirty kick when in motion. Chloe black silk dress with multi color bead pattern. c. 80s. Modern size 4-6 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.

PAINTING BY NUMBERS

It's been a long time since we have had an 80s-era Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe hand-painted water colored nymph gown. The last one we had was in 1997 when we first opened this store and it was modeled in Vogue by a certain actress who would KILL us if we revealed that was the year the shoot came out, as she is rather ageless! Nearly fourteen years later, we are elated to offer this amazing rose-hued halter dress that is belted and has attached long sashes of fabric that can be worn a multitude of ways. It is possible to tie them low behind your derriere to dramatically gather and change the shape of the skirt with a train. Alternatively, the extra wings of fabric can be pulled over your shoulders to create a very unusual cowl/scarf neck. It's difficult to capture the one-of-a-kind details of this creative and artistic gown, but we hope the nymph in our elite clientele base will be revealed and take this heavenly concoction to her Goddess Abode.




Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld water colors inspired hand painted gown, c. 1980s. Marked size 38, modern 2 to 4. SOLD TO SOMEONE DELICIOUS!
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.

CRINKLE FRIENDLY

Dresses that are pre-wrinkled are salivations for the woman on-the-go who wants to look chic when she's up in the air from city to city. From Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe, this perfect day dress is color blocked in pink and black in a wonderful crinkle-textured silk that manages to be feminine and functional as the fabric is friendly when the elements are not. The dress has a charming exaggerated ruffle "bib" that can be worn gracefully over your bosom or slightly over your shoulders. The two tone bow belt offers extra pizazz and the skirt has subtle slit pockets that always provide a little comfort when you aren't sure what to do with your hands. The dress has a lot of details and the signature Parisian "girly" look so associated with early 80s Chloe. It may seem almost conservative, but the dress has a sexy quality in the fabric and cut. It's all about the details.

Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld pink and black color block silk day dress with bib and belt, c. early 1980s. Marked 36, Modern size 4 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.

HIDE AND SEEK

We could write a very similar schpiel about this vintage Chloe top as we did about the Fabrice "top" posted early today because to some it's a dress; others, a tunic; yet others ,a blouse. What is for sure is that it's pretty fabulous. How can one not be seduced by the gold crinkled lame cowl that is exaggerated to Grace Jones proportions?Yes, you can wear the cowl as a hood or off a shoulder, too. Just juxtapose the volume on top with something tight on the bottom and you are good to get up and go. It's cut like a long sweatshirt with a band at the bottom of both sleeves and at the hem (where a few delicate gathers give the top some extra flair via the classy detail). The fabric is crepe satin, but the satin finish is used for the lining so expect to slide and slither a little bit from the sensuality of satin touching your skin.

Chloe for Giorgio black crepe with crinkled gold lame cowl/hood pullover, c. early 1980s. Modern 4 to 6 (Chloe label removed but Giorgio Beverly Hills label attached).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.

The Future is Chloe

This amazing black gown comes from the mind of Karl Lagerfeld while at Chloe. The majority of the gown is made from silk crepe with a peek-a-boo silver lurex lining. The lurex lines both front pockets, the collar, and the cuffs. The collar is sewn on in such a way that it appears to be a jacket over a black silk blouse. Four sets of three silver buttons run down the back of this gown. The dress is constructed to appear like a jumpsuit, but it just isn't. There is a black woven YSL belt shown on the gown that is sold separately.

Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld silk crepe jumpsuit style gown with silver accents, c.1980's. Contemporary size 4-6. 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.