GET LUCKY IN GREEN GALANOS

Although today we should be feeling the luck of the Irish, I am feeling Byzantine looking at this fifty shade of green James Galanos 1960s evening gown with elaborate gilt and pearl drop embellishment throughout the top.  The fabric of the dress is silk chiffon with various stripe shades of green, lurex, and a touch of unexpected magenta that coordinates with the velvet sash.  This may not be a design by Irish createurs Sybil Connolly or Louise Kennedy, but great Greek Mr. Galanos knows that a g green gown will bring on the envy!

-Cameron

James Galanos elaborate green gown, c. 1960's.   Modern size 2. 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.

SKINNY GODDESS

Calling all skinny Goddesses!  Here is a marvelous James Galanos magenta one shoulder gown embroidered with beautiful white crystals that requires that ultimate elite petite chic-ette.  A Goddess is always on trend.  A one-shoulder never goes out of a style.  And it's Mr. Galanos so you know how gorgeously constructed this garment is because Mr. G made things as gorgeous on the inside as the outside.  Vive American Couture!

-Cameron

Galanos purple chiffon with embroidered trim and dots one shoulder gown, c.1970's. Modern size 0. 

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.

Galanos Satin

I didn't watch the MTV Music Video Awards, but I saw the photos.  I found the entire fashion parade fairly uninspiring and mostly nauseating.  Everyone just tries so hard.  My goal for a chic Decades woman is "don't try too hard this fall".  Effortless and elegant is always sexy and always on trend.  James Galanos knew this all too well.  This latte satin long sleeve mini tunic with car wash pleats is a little Gatsby, a little Farrow, and totally chic.  A subtle statement is sometimes the boldest of all.  Imagine this dress with a pair of Saint Laurent T-straps and you have the perfect fall transitional dress for NY Fashion Week that is effortless and doesn't induce nausea.  I will be in NYC for Fashion Week so make sure you follow my Twitter and Instagram for immediate images with witty bon mots direct from the front row.

-Cameron

James Galanos satin mini with long sleeves, c. late 1970'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.

BETTER THAN THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

When is a coat a coat and when is it a dress?  Sometimes it is both.  And then sometimes it's beyond description.  This James Galanos intricately beaded coat can be worn open with a camisole and tux pants; or, closed up as a dynamic long and colorful gown.  Pieces like this are prohibitive to buy from today's designers.  Throw on a crystal and add a digit to the price tag.  Leave it to Mr. Galanos to give us full on paisley sensational details in a mélange of colors that are thoroughly swirling!  The ultra chic would wear this when feeling ill in their sick bed.

-Cameron

James Galanos beaded & sequined coat, c. 1960'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 OF GALANOS

James Galanos is likely America's greatest living Couturier.  His work spans so many Decades...he opened his eponymous house in 1952 and retired in 1998.  Now he devotes his time to abstract photography, but let's give the man some major props for being an active American designer (based in Los Angeles nonetheless) who shows his collections for FIVE decades.  Christian Dior remained active for only one decade.  He opened his house in 1947 and dropped dead in 1957 either from swallowing a fish bone or swallowing another kind of bone during a particularly eventful sexual encounter.  In polite circles, they call it a "heart attack."  I give Dior credit for remaining so relevant nearly six decades after his death while only having ten years to solidify his position in the annals of fashion history.  Both Mr. Galanos and Monsieur Dior are legends.  The James Galanos late 50s ensemble's dress length reminds me of the proportion suggested by Raf Simons earlier this month at his debut Dior Couture show. 

This wool-silk blend houndstooth tank dress with single button ruffle collar cropped jacket could look totally modern when paired with a colorful shoe as Marion Cotillard has been styled when she was the first actress to wear Raf Simons-designed Dior on the red carpet.  I do have a rule when it comes to vintage: never do head-to-toe vintage, so use Cotillard as an inspiration and grab this James Galanos ensemble that's ready for an update with your modern accessories.

-Cameron

James Galanos houndstooth wool dress and jacket, c. late 1950s.  Modern 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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARRED!!!!

It's Lil' Jer Jer's birthday today.  For those who have not had the pleasure to experience Le Jer Jer in person, he is the ultimate fashion diva.  His hats are always vintage Galanos.  His furs are always Barguzin sable.  And I have never seen Jarred not attached to one of his Hermes bags.  He is just a typical Decades employee.  But not just any employee:  Jarred is on his third decade at Decades.  He began in 1997 and hasn't left since, except when we had a huge fight around 10 years ago but he came grovelling back.  Or did I beg him to come back?  I can't remember.  Anyway, Jarred is the GLUE of Decades.  He can sew a hem of a Dior while changing a light bulb.  He can sweep leaves off our roof in the middle of heavy winter rain while boxing up a crocodile Birkin to a Saudi princess.  He knows where the transformers are for the store and can transform the store with his magical merchandising.  For those who do know Jarred, he would never wear what we styled him today.  It must have been the high from his birthday cake that made him vulnerable to this fashion shoot.  Truth is, the Dior sable cape is actually mine (it belonged to Lyn Revson and I just had to keep it and don't know how or when I will ever wear it.  The HAC is actually from my personal collection, too.  But I am willing to sell it since I have too many.  The hat IS Galanos and is for sale.  Jarred shaves his head so I thought he needed a hat today.  Anyway, we all love Jarred in his curmudgeon, anti-Capitalist, conspiracy theory splendor.  Jarred loves fashion and fashion history and if he ever gives you a compliment on something you are considering to purchase, it is as if the Pope himself has blessed you.  Long Live Jarred Cairns.  The glue of Decades.  The Lil' Care Bare of Decades.  Le Jer Jer, middle aged ballet star.  Jarred we all wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  You were a twink when you started here...sometimes things just don't change.  However, Jarred is about to become a huge reality TV show icon because he is the ultimate outsider artist and future Bravo-celebrity as his appearance on our new show will solidify his legend.  Note to self: Buy his art NOW...will be worth a fortune once the show starts airing on Bravo.

Jarred is the original sweet spirit.  The original lollipop and butterfly.  You can trust him with your life, but I can't guarantee his undies will be clean!

-Cameron 

Galanos hat in spiral pattern in gray wool, c.1980's. Size small. SOLD
Dior sable fur cape, c.1960's. One size fits all. SOLD
Hermes 45cm, rouge haut-au-courrois, 1982. Measures 45cmX42cmX24cm 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