HIPPIE CHIC AND 70'S EXTRAVAGANZA

"Before globalization became a cliché, Thea Porter dressed Elizabeth Taylor for the souk, put the socialite Dalitha Getty in caftans and created Symbolist-inspired costumes for a perpetual party centered on the Rolling Stones and their newly made friends from the British aristocracy. Her specialty was in finding exceptional fabrics -- Swiss chiffons, Indian handprints, 1930's French voiles uncovered in warehouses -- and deploying them voluminously for a clientele undaunted by the extravagance of both her silhouettes and her fees. A gypsy costume Ms. Porter made for Begum Aga Khan to wear to a fancy dress ball given by Baron Alexis de Rede was lavish enough that her fellow Briton, the designer Hardy Amies, described it as ''pre-guillotine.'' This is how Ms. Porter clothes were mentioned in The New York Times.  This psychedelic burnout chiffon wrap around dress with velvet trim and matching bag is an extraordinary piece to be worn every time you want to feel decadent and shamelessly exotic. 

-Eri 

Thea Porter Couture burn out chiffon with matching bag, c.1970's. Modern size 2 to 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. 

GET BOTH SIDES NOW

For our latest "Get the Look", we're turning to one of northern neighbors, Joni Mitchell. Originally from Canada, Joni sported a bleached blond beach babe vibe with cheekbones you could rope a horse to. After she became famous, she moved down to our town, making her home in Laurel Canyon, forever changing Los Angeles as the epicenter of the New Age. We still own each and every Joni Mitchell record, and even if perhaps, you don't use your vinyl anymore, you'll find a copy of "Clouds" hidden somewhere.

Joni helped define the Woodstock generation; though she herself did not attend. She watched the festivities at Yasgur's farm and wrote the seminal "Woodstock", while crying. She also had more than her fair share of lovers, not content to hang in the wings waiting for some guy to pick her up and take her home. She had a home. She was the OG lady of the Canyon.

And her inimitable style, now so associated with easy breezy L.A., includes dazzling djellaba's with embroidery to spare, dark velvet dresses with princess sleeves, silver and Native American belts and jewelry, metallic hand detailing, mod shifts, cape wraps, and a few pant suits that I'm sure even Yves Saint Laurent would give the ole thumbs up.

So, we picked both vintage and modern pieces that reminded us of the seminal songwriter/singer/painter, from the empire-waisted confection courtesy of Thea Porter to the metallic embroidered Dries Van Noten top. now, All ya'll need to do is break out the flat iron and turquoise rings, and you're golden.

Click here to get the Joni Mitchell look NOW!

PARTY HOPPING

There is a reason why this Cocteau drawing is here...read on!

I am about to begin some continent hoping which is why we have all been a little lazy with updating the blog this week. Tonight, our windows are revealed at the Stephen Webster boutique on Rodeo Drive with a cocktail party from 7 to 10 pm. You are all invited but you must RSVPBH@STEPHENWEBSTER. Under my "creative direction", Art Director Jeff Snyder and Decades Icon Jarred Cairns have designed windows inspired by Guy Bourdin featuring gowns from Decades and jewels from Stephen Webster in a dramatic tableaux plus installation upstairs. Then it's off to Toronto to speak at TIFF on Grace Kelly's style on Monday. Quick pit stop Tuesday to NYC for a few hours (and a haircut) then off to Hong Kong for dinner to celebrate Solange Azagury-Partridge's new Hong Kong boutique. Next weekend I am Shanghai doing a story for C Magazine which will tell you where to go, eat, and shop for a fashionable weekend in the city. Last stop in Singapore, where Christos will join me for our first Spore trunk show. We've been busy boxing up Alaia, Chanel, and the most epic collection of YVES SAINT LAURENT HAUTE COUTURE that will make our Singapore clients go GAGA! Aside from all the travel, I have been buying such good things lately that Eri will post while I am traveling. Wait till you see the Alex&Lee pieces (remember we had a trunk show for Lee years ago and favored the amazing jewelery long before Proenza Schouler). We have some edgy 80s Jean Paul Gaultier pieces (mad for the red leather swing trench coat) as well as gowns galore for award season. A bunch of Hermes bags came in too (Constance, Kelly, and a few Market bags that I HEART). Okay enough bragging about how fabu everything is and let's comment on three Decades clients looking amazing as they are party hopping around the world.

Maria Bell is a spectacular philanthropist and art collector (not to mention her amazing work on "Young and the Restless") and we are so lucky she lives in Los Angeles. Here she is photographed with Eli Broad wearing vintage Thea Porter and a Judith Leiber belt (from Decades of course!) while celebrating with royals from The Kingdom of Morocco during Miami Basel. You look gorgeous and thank you for making LA a more amazing city!

Heidi Klum is wearing a vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture LBD from Decades in Washington DC at the International Hall of Fame Awards ceremony held by the International Women’s Forum . Heidi received a Hall of Fame Award. Mazel Tov to Heidi and this dress is en route to Singapore as part of the ultimate collection from Madame X.

Chloe and her mother Raphaelle Cassens attended the opening of the Musee Jean Cocteau, Collection Severin Wunderman in Menton France on November 6th. Her Yves Saint Laurent necklace and Helmut Lang dress were both purchased at Decades. She chose the necklace because Chloe's grandfather, Severin Wunderman donated over 1800 works of art, making the museum possible. The YSL necklace is inspired the Cocteau drawing above. And now you understand why I put the drawing at the start of this post!

-Cameron

STAR CAPS

I HEART Nikki Haskell. She taught the world how to get skinny with Star Caps. Apparently they really do work as this Thea Porter that was custom made for her is TINY. Yup, it's on our size zero mannequin, so if you have done too much yoga; or do the butterfly stoke like Diana Nyad; or have well-endowed bosom, this custom piece is not for you. If you are narrow and not-top heavy, the empire waist and velvet framed dress with make you look quite audacious. So if you are petite and narrow and dare I say, a bit "flat", this is your dress to make you look like a Boho Goddess. No one did Hippie Couture better than Thea Porter and having a custom piece out of the closet of a very beloved woman who reigned supreme at Studio 54 and continues to be the Queen of the Night at Soho House, means this has some fab karma. We have ALL of Nikki Haskell's Thea Porter pieces and will continue to post them over the next few weeks.
-Cameron

Thea Porter custom empire waist dress for Nikki Haskell, c. late 1960s. Modern zero to size two. 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.

MADE FOR ME

The most lovely woman sold Decades this raw silk Thea Porter shocking pink tunic. She was friendly with Thea Porter in the early 1970s. At that time, she was an assistant to one of the greatest actors of the time and mingled with a very chic set. This is the only piece she kept that Thea Porter made specifically for her. How I wish she kept them all (and she wishes she had kept them all when she realized how desirable and collectible Thea Porter is in the 21st Century).

Keeping with Porter's tradition of Haute Hippie styling, the hot pink shantung jacket has a Nehru collar with Indian brocade inserts and trim and faux pearl knot clasp closures. From the side view, I hope you can notice the slot pockets and although this is a tunic, only a very few can wear this sans bottoms. Might I suggest white Capri jeans for the perfect warm weather? I noticed two small spots on the tunic that did not come out with cleaning. If you can live with the spots, I think you can love this a lots (rhymin')!
-Cameron



Thea Porter hot pink shantung tunic, c. early 1970s. Modern size 4 (two faint spots photos upon request), 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.

Blue Skies...

The last of the wondrous Thea Porter caftans... What a dream it is to own one - and we have two! This beauty is similar to the Midnight Dream we posted yesterday. The only difference is the exquisite color and print. This electric blue gives a more fun, everyday wear feel and the gold printed leaves are the perfect dazzling motif!





Thea Porter electric blue chiffon caftan with gold leaf print and matching waist tassel. c.70s. sz.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

Goddess Beauty

After watching Julia's commercial over and over we were inspired to do a mega post on the gorgeous Thea Porter caftans for your delight. As we have mentioned before, Thea Porter's designs are the epitome of Boho Chic, and what makes them so unique is the intricate detail she put into each piece.


This cream chiffon caftan is your Greek goddess gown come true. The beautiful chiffon cascades down your body with a touch of black velvet trim and a white sequined shell design as the perfect finish. There's no question about it! With a gown like this, every woman will fill like a goddess!






Thea Porter cream chiffon caftan with black velvet trimming and sequined shell design. sz. 4-6. c. 70's. 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.

Midnight Dream

Walking through an Arabian night, watching the stars sparkle while the light from the glistening moon shines on every one of the gold embroidered flowers... these are the types of dreams Thea Porter creates for us with each of her stunning gowns. They almost leave us in a state of awe when they come in, and to be honest, no special occasion is needed to have a Thea Porter in your closet.

The delicate blue chiffon with each flower embroidered design is an exquisite touch to an already perfect gown. The coordinating gold and blue tassel completes this goddess look and accentuates woman's waist.

Thea Porter midnight blue goddess chiffon caftan with gold embroidered flower design and matching waist tassel. c.70's. 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

A Modo Mio

For all of our beloved followers, today we have a treat for you! Watch Julia Roberts in this newly released commercial for the Italian drink Lavazza, wearing none other than a Thea Porter caftan from Decades! Of course Julia looks divine in anything she wears, but there's something so heavenly about her in Thea Porter. It makes us want to take a jaunt to Italia just to sip an espresso!

Crème de la Crème

When you think about beautiful, ethnic caftans and whimsical chiffon ankle length dresses who comes to mind...? The originator of boho chic, Thea Porter, of course! Having been born and raised in the Middle East, Thea Porter's design inspiration came from the gorgeous gowns women wore and the luxurious fabrics they were made from. Her designs peaked during the late 60's hippie movement. And many notable women such as Elizabeth Taylor, Raquel Welch, and Barbara Streisand favored her gowns.

Today, we have this extraordinary Thea Porter gown in a luscious cream chiffon with exquisite metallic embroidery detail and optional tassel to accentuate the waist. With a gown like this, everyone's inner Middle Eastern princess will be begging for more!





Thea Porter cream chiffon evening gown with metallic embroidery and matching tassel. c. 70's. 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.

JULIA ROBERTS IN THEA PORTER

Such a gorgeous shot of Julia Roberts in the a vintage Thea Porter caftan from Decades in the September issue of ELLE.

PENULTIMATE THEA PORTER

It took us nearly 13 years for the original owner to let this Thea Porter caftan out of her closet. We first saw it in the late 1990s and thought it was the most amazing Thea Porter It was a "till death to us part" situation. Well, the clock struck (literally) and her family contacted us and said her marvelous Thea Porter was ready to be separated from the original owner and now we present to you penultimate Thea Porter caftan. Patience has been a virtue.

Thea Porter Couture red embroidered caftan. c. late 1960s. One size fits all. Shoulder area slightly torn and may be restored. 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.