THE DOW HIT 15,000 SO HAVE A COCKTAIL

Today is a good day to be rich.  Actually, almost every day appears to be a good day to be rich!  I am sure many a trader and trader's partner is celebrating as the Stock Market hit new highs today.  What to wear to celebrate?  Givenchy Haute Couture straight out of Holly Golightly's fashion rule book, of course!  This LBD of hammered silk with boat neckline, gathered waist, scoop back, and seductive bow screams business in the front and party in the rear.  I have a feeling there will be a lot of partying in the front AND back this weekend!  Get as sloppy as you want, but still dress chic!

-Cameron

Givenchy Haute Couture silk dress in black, c.1960'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.

UNCOVERING MCQUEEN

Mrs. Patricia Kennedy, a beautiful woman as famous for her large collection of Haute Couture gowns as for her philanthropic work, brought this Givenchy gown at Decades hoping to find a new caring home for it. She thought the dress was purchased in the late 90's, but after an email from one of our avid readers of the blog and some in house fashion investigation, it was uncovered the real date of the birth of this piece. Discovering it was Alexander McQueen for Givenchy it made us all feel like we brought McQueen back to life ... even for a moment. A great artist lives through his work, and for that special women who will own this piece, McQueen will live to tell his own story.
Before he opened his own house, Alexander McQueen was hired by the House of Givenchy where he did more than design. He stirred the waters of this iconic French fashion house. His designs reflected the struggles that McQueen faced in integrating his vision with that of Givenchy. Some impeccably tailored blazers and the unusual metallic fabrics were a success, so were the Haute Couture gowns with exquisite embroidery like this stunning gown below that made Cameron sing upon arrival at Decades headquarters. This is not just an absolutely stunning gown, with delicate details and beaded fringe, but it is a piece of fashion history of a legendary designer who while at Givenchy created pieces that exuded a classic French elegance with an unexpected British twist.
-Eri

Alexander McQueen for Givenchy Haute Couture illusion gown with embroidery. Spring/Summer 2000.  Modern size 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.

GIVENCHY BY WAY OF MARC CHAGALL

Looking at our second Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture gown to come from the exquisite collection of Patricia Kennedy, I am reminded of stained glass and particularly the pheonomenonal art of Marc Chagall. (I've always found it fascinating that Chagall first started working in the medium when he was nearly 70 years old in 1956). The combonation of Givenchy's refinded silhouette and the burst of colors may not make this the ideal Oscar gown, but with the hot pink belt, I am thinking ahead to the May 7th Costume Institute Party of the Year that celebrates the work of Elsa Schiaparelli (hello pink belt) and Miuccia Prada. This past January, I was in Paris looking for a gown for a client/friend to choose for the MET gala. Ricardo Tisci's work at Givenchy was exhilirating, although far removed from the DNA of Monsieur Givenchy. We priced one gown to consider and let me tell you, this one is a BARGAIN because an embroidered and beaded gown at Givenchy Couture today would cost the equivalent of buying FIVE of the one-of-a-kind original Givenchy below. (We ended up engaging Azzedine Alaia to make a custom gown for the MET gala). Haute Couture is expensive so when you are buying historically significate vintage designs by the eponymous couturier, please remember that you are making a wise investment and a particularly friendly price. This ain't ready to wear!




Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture stained glass inspired evening gown, 1985. 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.

TROPICAL HEATWAVE

That someone fabulous who scored this stunning Givenchy Haute Couture dress was beautiful Esme. She wore it in Capri to celebrate her friend's birthday party and she sent us these lovely photos and this note: "The island was hot hot hot and very crowded and filled with tons of beautiful Italians.....wearing the dress was really the highlight for me...It was so light and moved so beautifully; I felt like I had wings:)". We love!!!

The heatwave in Los Angeles may not be tropical, but it is certainly hot and this dress is hot and haute! This Givenchy Haute Couture fuchsia and white palm print organza draped strapless dress with removable cummerbund belt and scarf is ideal when it's 90 degrees and you need to get dressed up an go out. However, we also love the fashionable nymph who will wear this dress with flats for a backyard fete and make the dress-up look dressed-down. With exceptional haute couture construction including a beautiful internal corset to hold you in, this is an evening dress for a balmy party when you want to look like da bomb!

Givenchy Haute Couture fucshia and white palm print strapless organza evening dress, c. late 1970s. Modern size 2 to narrow 4 SOLD TO SOMEONE FABULOUS!

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 Coulda Been a Contender

The Academy Awards might be over but true Hollywood glamour will never end. This amazing Givenchy Haute Couture butter yellow chiffon gown would have looked ravishing on the red carpet last night. Sadly, it didn't make it in time for the awards. Now their loss is your gain!

The title quote is form Elie Kazan's award winning classic, "On the Waterfront" and was spoken by the legend himself, Marlon Brando. The bodice of this dress makes sure that your goods stay where they should as you're dancing around the ring. And the silver and pale yellow Swarovski crystals adorning the halter that eliminate the need for a necklace. This is one of those gorgeous and effortless gowns that will remain forever timeless.
*Daniel*




Givenchy Haute Couture butter yellow chiffon gown with crystal halter, c.80's. Contemporary size 2-small4. 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.

WISH THE SKY IN LA WAS THE COLOR OF THIS GIVENCHY!

Urgh! Los Angeles has become a sub-tropical non-stop rain-machine. Apparently the big storm is coming tonight. The last few days have certainly not felt like little storms. How big is big? I've been sporting a beanie on my head every day since there's no way to get my 'fro to cooperate in this climate. We get pretty spoiled here usually with optimal weather, so with the sun covered by clouds; and the clouds perception flowing constantly for three days in a row, I want to close my eyes and go somewhere with teal colored waters, like the Cayman Islands.

When I went scuba diving (yup, I did and the pictures prove it - I should add those to my very new FB page), the waters were the color of this teal Givenchy Haute Couture gazar gown on Grand Cayman. I can't actually dive into those actual waters, but I can surrender to the beauty of this evening gown which has a subtle tonal floral motif woven like a damask into the fabric as an extra dose of texture. The strapless gown has a folded bust-line that wraps and descends at the back. The ample skirt is made more dramatic by the defined waist and sash with two bold flowers in black and white.

A gown like this is to be worn by a true fashionista who understands that this is a design of illusions. The fabric may be voluminous at the skirt but the fabric is also quite airy so the silhouette of your legs gets gently revealed. (There isn't a surprise hoop skirt underneath). Just like the waters of the Cayman Islands reveal the mystery of the ocean, Hubert de Givenchy understands the force of mystery with his use of structure and silhouette.

And the rain keeps pouring!
-Cameron



Givenchy Haute Couture teal gazar strapless gown with black and white flowers, c. 1960s. Modern 2 to 4 (may fit a narrow 6, also!) SOLD TO A COOL BRIDE!
For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or phone our Los Angeles flagship on + 1 323 655 0223 (store hours are 11 30 am to 6 pm PST). For email requests, kindly reference the above description in addition to including your full name, phone number, City/State/Country from which you email, so we may offer you a high-level of personal service.

NEED TO BE NARROW

The title of this post is a disclaimer. Yes, you do need to be narrow to fit into this spectacular amethyst Givenchy Haute Couture organza halter gown with wrap skirt. When this first arrived, a very svelte client salivated, but we could not compress her size two torso into this size zero purple masterpiece. So there you have it: be a size zero and buy me! When the high neck of the dress turns around a lower back with a trail from the halter mimics the gathered waist with extended sash. This late 70s design is the epitome of timeless elegance as envisioned by the aristocrat and living genius, Hubert de Givenchy.



Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture amethyst silk organza halter gown with gathered waist sash, c. late 1970s. Modern size 0 (sorry!) 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.

MCQUEEN FOR GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE

Looking at the runway photo (below) of the Autumn-Winter Alexander Mcqueen for Givenchy Haute Couture show, the bare-all undulated silver-grey sequin halter gown leaves little to the imagination and seems to have a touch of Bai Ling (above) on the red carpet-over-the-top camp. Now, comparing a Givenchy to something Bai Ling would wear is tantamount to shooting our self in the foot as who will buy such a dress? However, upon closer inspection and while viewing photos of the dress on our mannequin at Decades, we realize this dress is such a show-stopper with a dramatic elastic illusion neck halter and the most revealing belly shimmy since Nights of Aladdin. The silver-grey sequins swirl in an abstract motif that is nothing short of hypnotizing. How extraordinary it is to own a piece of history such as this original runway sample by the late Alexander McQueen for the revered House of Givenchy.

Givenchy Haute Couture by Alexander McQueen undulating grey-silver sequin halter gown, Autumn-Winter 2000. Runway sample marked "Catherine and defile no 7). 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.

RAW GOODS

Ultra-modern styles and tailored silhouettes have been a staple at Givenchy since its beginning in 1952. The navy dress below is a prime example of what the house does best. Raw silk provides toughness to the feminine cut and the white buttons are a bold contrast against the navy. Whether inspired by nautical themes for an apres-midi gathering or seeking to express your inner artistic genius during cocktails, this dress fits either look. Raw goods suddenly takes on new meaning!

Givenchy Haute Couture, raw silk navy "apres-midi" day dress, 1968. Modern size 4 to 6

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.

SEEING SPOTS

Pieces that are amazingly chic and exciting are sometimes hard to score--unless you're shopping at Decades! This Givenchy Haute Couture blue cocktail dress manages to be both conservative and flirty. The raw silk material gives structure and volume to the dress with a slight A-line. Even though the velveteen applied polka-dots are black, they are super playful and look elegant agaisnt the dark blue. The dress is lined in silk so no worries about the textured material irritating delicate skin. If you're looking for a nighttime look or you just need a dress for brunch with family and friends, this dress is ideal for either occassion. It's one time where seeing spots isn't bad at all!

Givenchy Haute Couture Raw "soie sauvage" blue cocktail dress w/ velveteen applied polka-dots, Number 50127, circa 1968. Modern size 6 to small 8 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.