Sales & Shopping

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• April 19, 2007
• Shops We Love

Shops We Love: Decades

by Dena Smolek

Melrose Avenue's famed vintage store Decades has been the go-to destination for celebs, stylists, designers, and fashion fanatics for, yes, a decade (the shop's 10-year anniversary is this year). Founder Cameron Silver stocks the boutique with an extremely edited, focused collection of wares that includes pieces from the Edwardian Era through the '90s. "It's vintage that looks modern," he says, "to appeal to a customer who doesn't want to do a lot of work when they shop a vintage store and doesn't want to look like they're wearing a costume."

The décor here is modern and simple, allowing the goods to function as the main event. At street-level you'll find the contemporary designer resale shop, Decades Two, with everything from sunglasses and handbags to dresses and shoes from the last ten years. There's always plenty of Prada, Chloé, Marc Jacobs, McQueen, and Dior to be had, as well as a bevy of great shoes from the likes of Miu Miu and Christian Louboutin. Step back outside and into the other door and the treasure hunt continues as you climb leopard-print carpeted stairs to reach the legit vintage section, Decades Inc., which stocks an array of glam gowns, coats, and other items. Renowned fashion designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Ossie Clark, and Givenchy are represented on a regular basis.

Some things you won't find at Decades? Jeans and T-shirts. Cameron says that for Decades the "bread and butter is red-carpet dressing. It's really about special pieces, never about basics."

Decades, 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-655-0223, www.decadesinc.com

Photographs by Kit Chaney