LITTLE BLACK DRESS: THE UNIFORM OF WOMEN OF TASTE

The story of the little black dress starting form the 20's courtesy of Coco Chanel and remaining a stable uniform of all chic women through Decades, is not going away. These four wonderful dresses remind us that when a black dress is just right there is nothing else to wear in its place. From Christian Dior to Gianni Versace, from Norman Norell to of course Chanel these four options will freshen up your wardrobe and remain classics at the same time. Try wearing these with flats for a more relaxed and updated look. 

-Eri 

Christian Dior wool crepe dress with satin black bow belt, c.1960's. Modern size 4.

Chanel silk pleated dress with black gold logo button, c.1970's. Modern size 6. 

Norman Norell wool dress with side pockets, c. 1960's. Modern size 6. 

Gianni Versace silk jersey dress, c. 1990's. Modern size 6 to 8. 

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.

GREY FLANNEL UNISEXY

I really thought this would be my look tonight to watch Gina Gershon in House of Versace: grey flannel Versus by Versace overalls.  What else does one wear when watching TV on a Saturday night at home?  Well, Eri and Geoffrey had the unfortunate experience of seeing me try them on and let's just say we like them much more on our friendly size four mannequin than on 6'3" me!  We've seen so much androgyny on runways that this look is better on the fairer sex.  All you need to do is shorten the straps (as we did) and your boobies are covered - or - wear the straps long with a great Alaia bodysuit underneath and you are covered.  Iconic pewter hardware and roomy pockets makes for a chic and slouchy look.  Unisexy!

-Cameron

Gianni Versace  VERSUS grey wool flannel jumpsuit with Medusa buttons and adjustable straps, c. 1990’s.  Marked 38/52 so it's a weird unisex size and we adjusted the length of the straps to cover the boobies!
Will fit sizes 0 to 8.  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.

#HOUSEOFVERSACE

Saturday night you will find me watching my friend Gina Gershon on Lifetime Television take on Donatella Versace in House of Versace!  I can't wait!  In the meanwhile, who'd you rather: Gianni by Gianni Versace chainmail or Donataella for Versace chainmail?  Learn more about these two iconic dresses here.

-Cameron

  

Iconic Versace dresses by Gianni Versace and Donatella Versace, c. 1983 and 1999, respectfully.  For more information click here

IN THE BEGINNING

This Sunday, Versace will kick off the Haute Couture shows in Paris.  I always love a Versace show for it's hyper-sexy with pimped out colors that exude exceess.  One of Gianni Versace's signature fabrics used throughout his career before his murder in 1987, was metal mesh made by the Australian company Oroton.  Oroton actually popularized the fabric in the 1960s and 1970s for men's and women's clothing and accessories.  The Oroton metal mesh dress below is deadstock (unworn) from the early 1980s and is a simple slip dress in the most seductive of fabrics.  One cannot hide anything in this dress as all is revealed as the mesh embraces every curve and crevice of your body.  This is a very naughty slip dress.  Anyway, can't wait to see how Donatella uses the signature fabric of casa Versace on Sunday.  Follow me on Twitter and Instagram as I will let you know before anyone else does!

-Cameron

Gianni Versace Oroton chain mail dress with green satin trim, c.1980's. Marked size 40.  Modern size 2 - 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.

FEEL THE POWER IN VERSACE

Gianni Versace didn't always design with sex fantasies in mind. At times he created dresses that were not leather but in colorful printed chiffons and silks, jackets and skirts that were not all built in bondage and leather straps. He loved color and green was a very powerful color for the Casa Versace. Here we have a Versace skirt suit that sure comes close to redefining the suit, with its simplicity and intricate black stripe arranged in a spiral twist, will surely make you feel powerful and sophisticated. It is very chic to feel strong.

-Eri 

Gianni Versace green wool skirt suit with a black circle pattern, c. 1990's. Modern size 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.

VERSACE IS HEADED TO COACHELLA

Every outfit looks better if you belt it. And what better way to belt a dress or your jeans than a vintage Versace belt. The V-girl has always been created to perfection, her hair and make-up loud and perfect, her clothes clinging to her body unabashedly. But for next Spring things took a turn, The Versace girl is headed to Coachella with her tie dye tee dresses and belts, she is relaxing a bit. There will be no outfit complete for Coachella or otherwise, without a belt and safety pins. 

-Eri 

Versace gold metal with safety pin detail,  measure 34 in. c. 1980's. SOLD

Versace silver metal with coin and safety pin detail, measure 34 in. c. 1980's. 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.

STRAP ONE ON!

Is there anything that can transform your look more spontaneously and dramatically than strapping on a wicked belt? Well something wicked this way has come into the hollowed walls of Decades and I say strap one on!  These belts all have one thing in common: black leather with gilt chain details and all from the 1980s.  These aren't belts for those who are afraid to be a little wicked.  As Maria McKee once sang "Ways to be Wicked" so make a bold statement from Ferre, Lacroix, Versace, or my personal favorite Monseur Anonyme.  Measurements have all been provided below and don't WAIST too much time since let the power of these belts transform you!

-Cameron

Christian Lacroix gold detail with chain balls marked size 65, measured 29 inches in length.SOLD

Anonymous thick leather with leopard and gold chain detail, measured 47 inches in length. SOLD

Gianfranco Ferre smooth leather with crystal medal detail, marked size 80/32, measured 39 inches in length.  SOLD

Gianni Versace gladiator belt, marked size 70/28, measured  32 inches in length.SOLD

Gianni Versace belt and bag, measured 36 inches in length. 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.

2 OR 3 PIECE

Between the wild prints and bold colors, Gianni Versace in the nineties was the embodiment of excess and everything loud. Since there is more sunny days ahead of us, nothing wold be better than this ensemble for lounging by the pool and the two piece set for cocktail hour, to bid adieu to a summer full of color as we transition to fall and back to black. 

-Eri 

Versace three-piece floral print, blouse and bra marked size 42, shorts marked size 38, c.1990's.
Versace yellow printed blouse and skirt, c.1993. Marked size 44.

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.

KELLY GONE WILD

I am pretty much Lady Gaga over this Gianni Versace version of a Kelly bag.  He takes zebra printed pony fur in lieu of porosus crocodile while adding Medusa motif closure hardware, but sticks with the signature Hermesy lock and key, along with classic handle and removable shoulder strap.  Tis the essence of the Kelly whilst totally Gianni.  I guess you could say this Kelly goes both ways: classic and camp.  Certainly this is a Kelly gone wild by the late Gianni Versace.

-Cameron

Gianni Versace Bag,  c. 1990's.  4 in. x 9 in. x 12 in. 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.

VINTAGE CHIC FOR A GOOD CAUSE

photo from instyle.com

On Monday Anne Hathaway presented stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe with the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center first Visionary Award. They both wore vintage from Decades, Rachel wore this black velvet Gianni Versace and Anne shined in this vintage Dior Haute Couture gown in silk with white lace trim.

They both look so chic and modern and that is the magic of a good vintage dress from Decades!!

To read the Fun story behind Rachel Zoe and Anne Hathaway's vintage dresses go to instyle.com

-Team Decades

Gianni Versace black velvet evening gown with gold buttons and epaulette, c. 1990's. Modern size 4.

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre Black Silk Chiffon Evening Gown with White Lace-Trimmed Slit, c. 1990. Modern size 4.

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.

MORE TEMPTATION

Wow that Yves Saint Laurent snakeskin coat that I posted a few days ago sold FAST. Everyone emailed for it. You kids out there in the Blogosphere have mighty fine taste. I figure if I could tempt you once, why not do it twice since Ophilogy appears to be very much on the minds of Decades shoppers. If the YSL was late 70s, then let's go up a few decades and celebrate an early 1990s Gianni Versace era snake skin slim cut jacket in the lightest shade of sage. The cut is quite minimal (why this could be a silhouette from Calvin or Jil), but splash of Miami Vice color and the strass-enhanced pewter buttons are pure GV. Loving this coat worn totally 21st century with a long lean pant in an unexpected complimentary color (camel?) and a clean white shirt for the day for early fall. This will also work for spring, but mind the rain! Don't be surprised if you see this slim coat-cum-jacket in the Sunday Fashion of the Times and captured by Bill Cunningham when worn by one of our clients attending New York Fashion Week. This one is meant for the papers.
-Cameron




Gianni Versace Couture label sage snake skin minimal cut coat/jacket, c. early 1990s. Modern 4 to 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.

VOILÀ VERSACE

This Gianni Versace dress is more restrained than what we saw in the ad campaigns of the 80's but it captures the essence of Versace, the royal hues of purple, red and blue, the softness of the silk blend, the dress is a mix of originality with modern flamboyance because Gianni knew that all women have a moment when they desire to look special.

In the words of Oscar Wilde; "Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear". If you wear Gianni Versace, trust us you will be the fashionable one everywhere you go!

-Eri

Gianni Versace dress in contrasting colors of silk blend, c. 1980's. Modern size 4.

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.