TEAL

I once knew a woman who only wore teal.  She wore teal dresses, hats, shoes...it was her signature and I must say that I thought I had experienced enough teal on one person to last me a lifetime.  However, I was wrong.  Arriving today is the very chic and lady like crepe teal Pauline Trigere dress that is refreshing in a bright teal and executed with the designer's attention to details with beautiful bust darts and seams at the neck -- the kind of things people just don't do today, but the connoisseur clients of Decades always appreciate.  With a coordinating belt that literally ties the look together, please don't wear this with teal pumps. 

-Cameron

 

 

Pauline Trigere wool crepe teal dress, c. 1960's. Modern size 4 to 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.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOOOONG DAY

Today is the summer solstice...the longest day of the year and the official start of summer!  So bring on the linen.  These Pauline Trigere dresses manage to be sharply tailored AND seasonally appropriate without being boring or basic or beach-y.  The top dress is really a vibrant red (it looks so dull in the picture below) and the baby pink dress is pretty accurate.  With a slight cap sleeve, two slits at each clavicle that lead to a bust dart, these 1960s dresses will never go out of style and always keep you in style.  It's the longest day of the year, so get dressed for it!

-Cameron

Pauline Trigere linen

Red sleeveless dress, c. 1960s. Modern size 6 to 8.

Pink sleeveless dress, c. 1960s. 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.

GORGEOUS IN GALANOS

Some have turned their noses down at SoCal style, but if there's anyone in the world to turn the haters into lovers, it's James Galanos. Period. Galanos is perhaps single-handedly responsible for creating old school Hollywood Glam. Think luxurious fabrics and fur, exquisite draping, luscious fabrics, meticulous cuts and ornate detailing, such as his iconic gilded butterfly.

Personally, I love Galanos' rags to riches story, which proves that hard work, belief in one's self, and following your heart's desire to be creative pays off. Turns out, taste and elegance can come from Jersey. Shoresters, take note. Here's a few fun fashion facts from the life and work of James Galanos:

Galanos first arrived on our sunny shores as a youngster determined to make a name for himself in fashion. After a dissapointing start in New York as a clerical assistant in sartorial salon of Hattie Carnegie (Pauline Triegère and Norman Norell got their start at Carnegie's), Galanos moved to L.A. to design for a husband and wife team, the Lesavoys. Sadly, the duo divorced and Galanos lost his gig.

Of course, if you're having on trouble on 7th Avenue, there's just may be a place for you on Sunset. Jean Louis, head designer at Columbia Pictures, hired Galanos to sketch ensembles for pictures. He then traveled to Paris, working for Robert Piguet. After another frustrating try at designing in New York, where Galanos was let down by design positions which didn't encourage him to express himself creatively, the upstart up and hightailed it back to Tinseltown and launched a line of his own. Upon seeing Galanos' creations, which looked haute couture though were pret-a-porter pieces pronounced that Galanos would soon be a household name.

And he was because the movies came calling again. Galanos designed ensembles for icons such as Rosalind Russell, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor not to mention Grace Kelly and Marlene Deitrich who sought Galanos' "glamour quotient".

And frankly, who doesn't need a little glamour sprinkled like fairy dust into their lives. Even if you don't have a photo opportunity in your immediate future, this dress is guaranteed to make you feel as your life is one red carpet that you're meant to float down and through, always gracious, elegant and of course, glamourous.

Isn't he inspiring? Both the man and his clothes give a gal reason to seek the stars. Perfect for our town.

--Lizzy

James Galanos vintage black duchess satin halter gown, c. late 50s/early 60s. Modern size: Approximately 2/4. SOLD

PLEASE STAY COLD!

Decades is all about season-less dressing and I don't care if the calendar says it is spring, as I want someone to own this outstanding Pauline Trigere evening coat of black satin with a mink collar and very useful ermine tails inside. Actually this coat can be a spring coat as it only has a hint of mink and is perfect over a LBD or dressed down with jeans and a tee. I guess if it were all mink and tails, I would be pushing it to suggest this as a spring option, but if it is 50 degrees outside, this coat will keep you covered, warm, and terribly chic. I doubt many blog readers have an ermine tail lined coat in their closet, so this is hardly an extravagance but rather a necessity! Global Warming be damned. Bring on the vintage fur.

-Cameron

Pauline Trigere coat with fur collar lined with ermine tails, 4 to 8

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.

THE TRIGERE BOW

We have been very busy here at Decades, but we have managed to remain in the holiday spirit and are thinking Holiday looks for all you fashionable ladies. The dress above from Giambattista Valli's Fall 2011 ready to wear collection is reminiscent of this special Pauline Trigère cocktail dress from 1955 that we just got in. It's a very chic holiday party dress in wool crepe, knee length sheath with huge chocolate silk faille half bows at front and side. I'd rather think of this bow as tulip straight from those Flemish painting of still life, an imaginary creation of a flower that has bloomed on your dress. Born in France, Trigère moved to New York when she was 25 years old, she was a model of her own creations, she did yoga before anyone knew what yoga was and never left her house without makeup. She remains, just as her creations, a very modern woman. The connection of the modern dress above with this vintage Trigère is simply, what GiambattistaValli calls contemporaneity.

-Eri

Pauline Trigere dress in chocolate wool crepe with half bows detail, c. 1955. 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.

Glamorously Care-Free

Nothing is sexier than a woman that doesn't have to try (or at least appears that way). This is most easily accomplished with the so-called "hippie-chic" look. Pauline Trigere was known for her black cocktail dresses and for her ingenious coats. The design of this cotton dress with vibrant batik pattern was quite the departure for Trigere.

The dress is cut on the bias so it hugs the body without being constrictive. The entire dress is covered in small clear crystals making it really sparkle in the daylight. This would be the perfect dress to wear in Palm Spring at an early evening cocktail party by the pool (heaven). Even if its 95 degrees out it wont be a problem because the material is a very lightweight and is linesd in nude chiffon. If you're the type, going bare under the dress will make it even more fun!
*Daniel*

Pauline Trigere cotton batik pattern bias-cut long sleeve dress, c.70'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.

The LBD Goes Militant!

We've all heard countless fashion insiders insist that every woman own a "Little Black Dress" (also known as the LBD). These insiders suggest scoring a LBD that will easily transitions from day to night and maintains a certain level of modernity that will withstand fashion's changes. But, what about a LBD that's ready for battle?

Parisian born, yet an authentically chic symbol of American style, Pauline Trigere found her niche in designing dresses that were literally seamless in appeal. Trigere found much of her inspiration from her mother, a dressmaker, and her father, a tailor for the Russian aristocracy in search of military uniforms.

This metallic-mesh embroidery makes this shift dress a unique find. The silk fabric also makes this a lightweight, easy option for any woman in search of that perfect LDB with a twist. And with that, the battle for Trigere begins! Who's walking away empty handed and who's claiming victory in their new Trigere?

Pauline Trigere, Black shift dress, with military style embroidery, c.60s. Modern size 4
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

Trigere to DIE for

Here at Decades we LOVE getting all dolled up for that special occasion. But during the summer months, appropriate party attire can often be stifling. So, for those of us who cannot muster the strength to slip on yet another breezy, one-shoulder chiffon number. . . BEHOLD! Pauline Trigere has produced the dress of our dreams.

The silk dress pictured below is incredibly light, almost as light as a single sheet of paper. The textured and crinkled silk fabric has some rigidity thus, allowing it to maintain its perfectly architectural lines. Dove grey and charcoal tulips are splashed across the fabric giving it a very fresh summery appearance. We suggest you style this dress with a great bright belt and shoes - something unexpected; just like this dress!

Pauline Trigere silk tulip summer dress, 60'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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

'Tis the Season

If you don't have a great wool coat for the winter season, may we suggest you get into this. This Pauline Trigere coat is black wool covered with crystal encrusted buttons down the front, back and on the cuffs. This is one of those classic pieces that can go over just about any outfit. The crystal detail buttons are the perfectly subtle addition to such a classic shape.

Pauline Trigere black wool coat with crystal encrusted buttons, c.60's. Contemporary size 4.

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.

SIng, Song Bird, Sing!

Pauline Trigere was well known for her simple yet intricate little black dresses. This canary yellow mod dress is an amazing departure from the usual Trigere piece. The material is a wool jersey with a silk lining in the same color. There is a detached belt covered in raw silk of the same color to accentuate the waist. Down the back of the dress is a row of four substantial covered buttons. This dress is a very chic take on the classic mod shape and can easily transfer from day to night.

Pauline Trigere canary yellow mod dress with raw silk belt (belt has some age issues), c.60'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.

Wonder Wool

From the LBD queen, we now present two amazing little black wool wonders by Pauline Trigere. If you were not aware, Ms. Trigere was well known for her simple and extremely elegant little black dresses. The two below are the reason that many of us have devoted half our wardrobe to black - they are just too good to pass up!

The first dress is in a black woven wool resembling moss crepe. The dress has a high and wide satin collar, similar to a small boat neck. The satin portion wraps behind the shoulders and disappears under the arm. The bottom of the dress has the same satin finish, this time used as a double hem.

Second in this lot of LBDs is a simple shirt dress done in the same black moss crepe'esq material. The crew neck and cap sleeves flow down to a skirt with a little something extra. The skirt has four large black satin ruffles placed at differing heights around the dress. This little touch gives the simple little wool shirt dress an avant-garde flare.

Pauline Trigere black wool dress with satin collar and duo hem, c.60's. Contemporary size 4-6 SOLD

Pauline Trigere black wool short sleeve dress with satin ruffles, c.60's. Contemporary size 4-6

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.