HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS

It is a print moment in fashion. Think of Jason Wu's colorful ladylike dresses, Rodarte's florals, and one of my personal favorites, LA's very own Trina Turk who makes retro prints look fresh and festive. This 1960s Donald Brooks is particularly interesting to me because it's a bold print but in subtle shades of greige, one of my favorite neutrals. I've called this post "Hostess with the Mostess" because the empire waist dress has maxi sleeves without being a maxi dress so it's perfect for the modern hostess. I've also noticed that everyone around me seems to be preggers, so this is just the right dress to wear when you have a maxi bump, too. However, it's just as wearable when your tummy is flat, too!


-Cameron




Donald Brooks shades of greige print maxi sleeve short hostess dress, c. 1960s. Free size over lay, fitted modern 2 to 6 under-dress. Spot as shown.

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.

We Hate to See You Go, But We Love to Watch You Leave... in Donald Brooks

Looking to make an entrance? For most women, that means a revealing neckline or a high slit in the skirt; but as Michelle Pfeiffer demonstrated in her iconic film debut, sometimes the most captivating feature is a plunging back. You'll achieve just that result with this Seventies stunner from Donald Brooks--especially if you have an elevator in your house. We're wild about the string halter collar and the wrapped waist... and, in case you didn't like the in-your-face symbolism of Pfeiffer's green dress, you can calm the flames of envy in an appealing hue of iris blue.

Donald Brooks Iris Blue Jersey Halter Gown with Wraparound Waist Tie, c. Late 1970s.

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.

SUMMER ONE SHOULDER

Who needs two shoulders when the heat is on? Instead, choose a one-shoulder vintage Donald Brooks green jersey dress that will make you feel like you are wearing air-conditioned Couture when the summer sun is pounding the pavement on your bare skin. This Grecian green goddess dress has a nice wide strap over the shoulder in Brooks' signature woven self-bands-of-fabric detail that shows up often in his work. Although the length may not be original, we think the short length is an approved augment of the original design and ready for a pair of bronzed legs, strappy sandals, and a bunch of bangles.

Donald Brooks wide woven strap one shoulder green jersey dress, c. 1970s. Modern size 4 (length not original) 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.

I AM DONALD BROOKS!

This apparently anonymous mocha mock turtleneck gown with marabou feather skirt is not exactly the first choice to wear when it's 80 degrees outside, but we can't resist because we don't know who created this decadent dress? The dress has no label! Someone must have designed this over the top concoction, but who? Our wise clients and blog fanatics may be able to give us a clue. The dress is a fine heavy mocha silk top that zips up the back and connects to a plume party of marabou feathers and is centered by a dark brown velvet belt. A feather trim wrap is included if you need more feathers to get you through the night. If anyone has any idea who made this dress, please give us some insight. It comes from the closet of a Texas based clothes-horse who has also given us some fab YSL and Norell, but this one remains a mystery! Help up close the cloth case!
UPDATED: This is Donald Brooks
According to a friend of Decades, the dress looks very much like a Donald Brooks from 1967!

Donald Brooks marabou feather mocha silk evening gown, c. 1960s. 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.

Jumpsuit in the VALLEY

We've all played that game where everyone picks which character they would be in "Vally of the Dolls." We are totally Jennifer North, A.K.A Sharon Tate. Not because she is the most beautiful, or talented (though she is), but because she wore an amazing jumpsuit in the movie. We must admit, this is even better than the one Jennifer donned in the film. This Donald Brooks one shoulder jumpsuit is amazing! It is constructed from black satin that is covered in five tiers of black lace. Hidden under the tiers of lace are two bows, one black and one charcoal. The larger charcoal bow wraps around the waist, while the black one is hidden just below the neckline. We decided the bows are for when you start dancing and spinning around after a bottle of champagne and a handful of Dolls. As you spin (out of control) the lace will lift up and give the audience a surprise that only Janet, Ms. Jackson (if your nasty) at the Super Bowl can compete with.

Donald Brooks tiered black lace jumpsuit with hidden bows, c.60's. Contemporary 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.

Mirror Image

The only thing more slimming than black and vertical lines is a mirror finish. Not that anyone who could fit into this lovely Donald Brooks size 4 would need to worry about that sort of thing. This grey chiffon dress is covered in sequin mirrors. The cap sleeves and crewneck are lined in large sequins, and pea-sized sequins get progressively larger from the neck until they reach the size of silver dollar at the bottom hem. The dress is lined in grey satin and there is an invisible zipper down the back. One might think all the sequins would make this dress heavy; but in fact it is very light and gives off a shimmering fluid movement. You're won't go unnoticed in this sexy number!

Donald Brooks mirror sequin dress, c.1960's. Contemporary 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.

Hammered Persimmon

The Latin word for persimmon is "Diospyros" which means divine food in Greek. As this is a Donald Brooks grecian one shoulder gown constructed of persimmon hammered silk, all we have to say is eat it up! Persimmon is an amazing summer color, and one that is rarely found, especially in hammered silk. We would recommend this gown for a summer gala, perhaps the summer opera season, or even a MOCA event. For such an event, a chunky avant-garde gold necklace and bracelet paired with gold grecian sandals would complete the perfect summer gala ensemble.


Donald Brooks persimmon grecian hammered silk gown c. 1970'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.

Donald Brooks' Timeless Glamour

Wednesday marked the beginning of spring, so bid your thick winter garments adieu and slip into this stunning Marilyn Monroe-inspired halter gown by Donald Brooks from the 1970s. In soft white jersey, it's a perfect dress for an evening in the Hamptons or a party in the Hollywood Hills. Fits a contemporary size 6. SOLD

Donald Brooks White Jersey Halter Gown, c. 1970s

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