GO BRITISH FOR THE QUEEN

  Now you don't have to be in London to get into the festive mood.  Just throw on something Made in the UK and fit for queen, just not for Queen Elizabeth.  This Zandra Rhodes one shoulder azure hand-painted chiffon dress has a bright berry colored silk trapunto trim and a slip of tonal jersey so the chiffon can billow without your knickers being revealed (I dare say the Queen would appreciate that)!  I am such a fan of Zandra Rhodes both as a designer and as a personality.  She's the epitome of a cool eccentric.

Zandra Rhodes silk jersey and chiffon one shoulder gown, c. 1980s.  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. 

Rhodes Scholar

I may not have studied at Oxford with the brightest minds of our time, but I do know a lot about Zandra Rhodes. This gown has nothing to do with Cecil Rhodes or the Rhodes Scholarships founded in 1902. Just wanted to throw that out there to avoid any legal issues. That said, I am rather well versed in the works of Ms. Zandra Rhodes (no relation to Cecil) so for the sake of this post consider me a Z. Rhodes Scholar.

The dress in question (see below) is not the usual painted chiffon goddess gown that Ms. Rhodes is so well known for [click here for examples]. The dress is fashioned of black jersey with a goldish bronze satin halter bodice and asymmetric ties. The empire waistline is designed with safety pins and and a cascade of black jersey dripping off of the pearl and crystal adorned pins. This is from her 70's punk collection inspired by the punks roaming the streets of London at the time.
*Daniel*






Zandra Rhodes black jersey and gold/bronze halter safety pin punk dress, c.70's. Marked UK 10/US 8 Modern 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.

SHA-BANG!

Printed textiles, fiercely feminine patterns, and theatrical colors are what Zandra Rhodes' followers seek and undeniably find in every piece from this British designer. Rhodes, who helped give London its spot on the international fashion scene in the 1970s, has clothed a bevy of beauties ranging from Nicole Richie (pictured above) to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Our very own Cameron Silver refers to Rhodes as "a print designer with the mastery of a tailor" whose style is "immediately identifiable."

This chiffon mini is the perfect go-to for that date with Mr. Right Now. Imagine you've landed in the Mediterranean needing an evening look that says "I'm loads of fun, but I'm also a lady" (think advice from style.com's Derek Blasberg in his book "Classy"). The tulle sewn underneath the top layer of chiffon adds volume and additional movement that's perfect for a late night stroll on the beach. Hand printed with gold, silver, and hints of emerald green, Rhodes created a dress that easily reads modern, nostalgic, but more importantly, ready for a bangi'n good time!

Zandra Rhodes, chiffon, handprinted mini with emerald bead trim. c. 80s. Modern size 2 to narrow 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, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

BLACK FRIDAY=WHITE WEDDING

All over retail stores in the US today, post-Thanksgiving consumers are packing on the presents after packing on the pounds, following last night's traditional feast. At Decades, we say "bah humbug" to Black Friday, as our stylish, sophisticated, and savvy clients know the best deal in town is to buy something vintage that is likely to gain in value, won't be seen coming and going, is environmentally friendly, and has a history (in a good way!). We promise to post accessories galore in the next month for those in a gifting kind of mood. But as our faithful blog readers can see, we are busy and things are selling fast (especially accessories) since husband's are visiting the blog and our store in large numbers already to find the perfect vintage gift at the store. We will let you know we have a lot of 80s Chanel handbags that we will post in the next week, plus lots of Chanel jewelry, but Chanel is selling before we post to customers shopping the store, so we are doing our best to satiate those in the World Wide Web and those that visit us in the flesh.

Enough of our consumer rant, and now let's celebrate this celebratory Zandra Rhodes hand-printed chiffon "Field of Lilies" cream dress with original pink satin sash. Ideal for the boho bride, yet Stephanie Seymour-sexy for, well, Stephanie Seymour, this dress features one of Zandra Rhodes iconic prints and adds signature faux Mother of Pearl iridescent appliques along the top of the dress. A democratically flattering silhouette, the dress looks great on a plethora of sizes and shapes. The billowy long sleeves, elastic waist, and full/swash-friendly skirt make this a dress ideal for a beach wedding on a bride who likes sand between her toes. If you are to choose one dress to get married in while barefoot, we have your (un)-gown. Although we might suggest this dress to a bride-to-be, anyone feeling easy breezy and boho can certainly wear this classic example of Zandra Rhodes.

Zandra Rhodes cream "Field of Lilies" hand-printed chiffon dress with sash, c. 1970s. 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.

Rhodes to Somewhere

For that Indian Summer we are all hoping for, we submit this Zandra Rhodes dress as the perfect uniform. The yellow chiffon has an amazing black and pink avant-garde floral design over it. The center of the dress has small flowers fashioned from a combination of sequin and pearls. The dress has a keyhole opening in the front neckline that has been lined with small oblong pearls. Under the chiffon layer is a yellow drop waist tank dress, so as not to be to revealing. Perfect for that last summer party before the seasons change (as if they ever change in Southern California) or that oddly warm weather in autumn.

Zandra Rhodes yellow drop waist dress, c.80's. Contemporary size 4-6

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.

Living in a Zandra Moment, Part 1

For twenty years, Zandra Rhodes' feathery, Bohemian-influenced dresses were some of the fashion world's best-kept secrets--the superior fabrication, design, and unique prints made both vintage and contemporary pieces highly collectable. But when the New York Times is singing your praises, as they did in this very excellent piece last month, word tends to get around.


Decades just received a trunkload of zany Zandra's best work, and we're sharing it with you this week in two huge posts! The blue deep V-neck kimono pictured below is ornately beaded and decorated in pink and mocha tribal elements, but it's the satin cumberbund that really wows us. For a louder Zandra statement, you might like the day dress beneath it--this time, in darker blue, the print really dominates the dress in vivid black and fern. Looking for something simple and understated? The third dress in our installment is a simple and chic nymph dress, similar in style to this dress posted last month.


Zandra Rhodes Aquamarine Beaded Chiffon Kimono with Mocha and Pink Pattern, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4. SOLD
Zandra Rhodes Cobalt Blue Beaded Chiffon Day Dress with Wild Black and Fern Print, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD


Zandra Rhodes Aquamarine Chiffon Nymph Dress with Draped Back, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

Living In A Zandra Moment, Part 2

Here's Part 2 of our Zandra Rhodes collection! The first item, a sky blue and seafoam day dress, features a long train that doubles back and ties around the waist with an oversized marigold satin ribbon. It's also ornately beaded at the seams and adorned with a tribal pattern. The second dress certainly constitutes a descent from the traditional Zandra Rhodes fare--it's strapless party dress with optional halter neck! Check out the ornamental tassels and beaded applique, it's pretty nifty. Finally, a whimsical long sleeve white country dress with vivid rose and amaranth detail that's perfect for any age.

Zandra Rhodes Sky Blue and Seafoam Chiffon Beaded Day Dress, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

Zandra Rhodes Beaded Pastel Halter Dress in Chiffon and Satin, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

Zandra Rhodes Longsleeve Chiffon White, Rose, and Amaranth Country Dress with Beading, c. 1970s. Fits a contemporary size 4 to 6. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

ZANY FOR ZANDRA, AGAIN

When it rains, it pours, and right now we are lucky with great Zandra Rhodes dresses that are imminently wearable and wonderful to rediscover. But what do you do with a drop waist dress that some might think would only look great on a super model? Well, you blouse it and turn into a tunic with a simple belt!

With the option below you really get two dresses: the drop waist version AND when bloused, you have a fantastic nymph-friendly tunic straight out of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Technically, you really, really do get two dresses: the chiffon drop waist dress which is accompanied by a jersey slip dress, which could be worn independent of the chiffon dress, too). Imagine the drop waist with heels, but when worn as a tunic with flats. You could take this into fall with tights and we might even suggest a pair of boots for someone not afraid to make a bold statement. However, if you are even considering a Zandra Rhodes dress, then we think you have the confidence to wear this dress in a multitude of ways. Like all Decades clients, you are a fashion setter, not follower.




Zandra Rhodes early 80s drop waist black chiffon dress with pearl trim and net neckline Marked UK10/US8 Modern size 6-8. Accompanied by a Zandra Rhodes jersey slip dress, pictured underneath the painted chiffon dress. SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

ZANDRA WITH A "Z"

On August 17th in The New York Times, Ruth LaFerla profiled the extraordinary Zandra Rhodes and commented on her continued influence on contemporary fashion. A great Zandra is a piece of art and truly these two exceptional designs from around 1981 are delicious examples that also happen to be sexy and timeless.


Zandra Rhodes red chiffon star burst pattern with signature pearl trim empire waist gown marked UK10/US8. Flutter sleeve with handkerchief hemline. c 1981 Fits a contemporary 4 - 8 (cummerbund waist can be taken in depending on your size) SOLD



Zandra Rhodes exceptional black chiffon backless halter gown with corded round neck, zig zag collar and black jersey under slip. Signature pearl trim detail and iridescent applique. SOLD
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223. PLEASE REFERENCE THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

FLOWER POWER

Spring is here and sexy and flirty day dresses are a fantastic staple that can be dressed down with flip flops or dressed-up with a strappy sandal. I mean, if you are going to Cannes this month, and you have all those press calls and lunches with publicists and journalists, these dresses are imperative to keep you looking sharp on the Croisette.

Zandra Rhodes 70s silk print belted ruffle dress. Size 4 - 6 SOLD
Emanuel Ungaro Haute Couture black silk background with floral print ruffle day dress c early 80s Modern size 4 - 6 SOLD

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223

Zandra is the Wind beneath my wings.

I'll say, and with this little tunic number from Zandra Rhodes you too can have the wind beneath your wings any day of the week you want. No matter what the weather man tells you.

Easy, chic, comfortable and timeless, throw it on at the beach or just hanging out around town in the spring.

Zandra Rhodes, 70s red print chiffon caftan tunic. SOLD