Decades designs shoes for Modern Vintage

Decades, the popular Los Angeles vintage boutique owned by Cameron Silver and Christos Garkinos, is taking a step into the shoe design arena. The duo created four styles of footwear each fittingly inspired by a different decade for Canadian footwear company Modern Vintage.

There is a '50s shoe with a dainty pointed toe and curved heel, a '60s shoe that is based on a color-blocked mod flat (but modified with a T-bar and stiletto heel), a '70s shoe with a cork platform sole and woven leather straps and a chunky '80s-inspired pair with a thick wedge heel, sling back strap and lighting-bolt-looking leather inserts that feel reminiscent of the glam rock of the era.

“The challenge was to distill the essence of each decade,” says Silver, adding that they were conscious of making each style indicative of the era being represented, while also keeping them modern and relevant to today’s fashion. “This was a lesson in accessibility and still being stylish.”

Guests and shoppers who attended the collection’s launch party Tuesday night at Decades seemed to like what they saw. Many of them purchasing a couple pairs (the shoes range from $250 to $300) on their way out of the store. Models showed off the footwear while also wearing vintage clothing by Biba. And celebs like Lisa Rinna and Ashley Madekwe showed up wearing styles from the collaboration. Rinna made the '80s wedges work rather well, pairing them with a very '40s-inspired brown and white printed dress, proving that everything old really is new again.

The Decades for Modern Vintage shoe collection is available exclusively on Gilt.com and Decades L.A boutique.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: Decades for Modern Vintage 1950s shoe, top left, 1960s, top right, 1970s, bottom left, and 1980s, bottom right. Credit: Courtesy of Decades

Special holiday shopping destinations in the L.A. area

Let’s face it; holiday shopping can be such a drag. What with all the Black Friday madness or even just braving the parking lot at your local mall over the next few weeks, it’s easy to see how the joy of giving can quickly dissipate when you can barely get in and out of a store without your blood pressure shooting through the roof.

In an attempt to stay sane and make the shopping experience peaceful and inspiring, we’ve sussed out several local shopping events, sales and pop-up shops that provide unique wares as well as a quaint and calm environment in comparison with the usual chain store spots.

A Current Affair: Pop-up vintage marketplace is happening Dec. 3 and 4 at the Cooper Design Space in downtown L.A. Over 30 vendors will be selling their vintage clothing and accessories, which range from cheap and cheerful items to pricier haute couture pieces.  Journalist and author Rose Apodaca has curated a selection of vintage that will be on display. She’ll also be signing copies of her recently released book, “Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference: The Story of Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Glamour and the Showman Who Sold It All.”

KCRW DJ Marion Hodges will be spinning some soothing shopper friendly tunes. And if that doesn’t make your experience pleasant, perhaps a beverage from the open bar will.

A Current Affair: Pop-up vintage marketplace 6-10 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4) at the Cooper Design Space, 860 S. Los Angeles St. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at www.itsacurrentaffair.com

Simply Vintageous Holiday pop-up shop is open through the entire month of December and features a collection of vintage and designer items displayed throughout four adjoining rooms. High-end vintage is housed in one while two other rooms have contemporary pieces from clothing and accessory designers like Eva Franco, Athena Jewelry and M. Andonia Handbags. The fourth room is a bargain bin of things starting at just $10.

Simply Vintageous Holiday: Pop-up shop opens Saturday at 11 a.m. Regular store hours are  11 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday,    Monday/Tuesday by appointment only.  8270 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Visit www.simplyvintageous.blogspot.com for more information.

Geren Ford Holiday shopping party On Saturday there’s a holiday shopping party at the new Geren Ford Annex in Hollywood, where creative director and founder of the brand Geren Lockhart will be selling discounted items from her fall collection. Also joining in on the fun are designers and brands like Gregory Parkinson, Wren, Loden Dager, Bare, Vosges and the Wrapped, who will be selling everything from men’s and women’s clothes to wrapping supplies and chocolate.

It’s a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to peruse a great selection of stuff from local designers, all under one roof, and check out the newly opened Geren Ford Annex, the company’s headquarters and retail space stocked with the collection plus items from other like-minded designers.

Geren Ford Holiday Shopping party: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday at the Annex, 1034 Seward St. Los Angeles.

Jaguar Presents Holiday Shopping Celebration on the Avenues  The city of West Hollywood is getting into the holiday spirit with a shopping night on Wednesday (Dec. 7). It’s like Fashion’s Night Out holiday edition, with stores extending their hours, food trucks parked along the streets for shopper sustenance and several places offering discounts and gifts with purchase.

Participating retailers include Alberta Ferretti, Alpha, Arcade Boutique, Beckley, Blumera, BOA Gallery, Chocolate Sun, Faruy'Art 1969, J Gerard Design Studio, John Varvatos, Kitson Melrose, Makeup Mandy, Nicky Rising, Shalimar’s Apothecary of Scent, Soolip Paperie & Press, the Fashion Society, Undrest, Viola Park, Wanna Buy a Watch?

Holiday Shopping night:  6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Visit www.AvenuesWH.com for a full list of events and retailers.

Decades 8th Annual Chanel Event starts on Dec. 10, which might lend itself more to doing a little personal shopping rather than shelling out the cash for a lavish gift. Either way, the highly anticipated event features Decades' largest selection of Chanel clothing and accessories to date, with an enticing array of modern and vintage Chanel handbags.

There’s an in-store event on the 10th and for those who can’t get to the boutique in person, the event continues online the next day (a Sunday), starting at 11 a.m. at www.decadestwo1.com.

Decades 8th Annual Chanel Event: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 10. Decades, 8214 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles.

Holiday Sale with Gabriela Artigas The L.A-based jewelry designer will be showcasing and selling her delicate pieces alongside other local designers like Marie Turnor, Black Crane and Parabellum.

The sale takes place in Artigas’ new studio near the Beverly Center, but the environment here will be much less harried than the scene at the mall, Artigas will be serving champagne while shoppers stroll through the accessories.

Gabriela Artigas Holiday Sale: Noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at 314 N. Alfred St. Los Angeles.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique holiday shopping event  This sale is something to look forward to for the large, open spaces and vast array of vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women. This year it's also added a seamstress who will be on hand at the sale to aid in altering garments or giving advice on how to repurpose something that needs tweaking.

Entry to the event is $5, but those who bring a charitable donation of either an unwrapped toy or a bag of nonperishable groceries will receive free entry. I’d call that a win-win.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique holiday shopping event: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the LightSpace Studio at 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Happy shopping.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos, from top: A Current Affair vintage Marketplace. Credit: A Current Affair.

Clothing at the Geren Ford Annex, right; shoppers, left, at the Geren Ford Annex/Geren Ford.

Helms Design District vintage boutique, bottom /Helms Design District vintage boutique.

Celebs, fashion folk fete Miriam Haskell for Decades collection

Miriam Haskell, the costume jewelry brand that has been around since the 1920s, has gotten a glammed-up 1970s-style revamp, courtesy of Decades. Not that the jewelry line, started by Haskell in 1926, needed much -- chic women such as Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball and Coco Chanel (a fellow fan of costume baubles) were customers of Haskell, and the brand has continued to appear on women who appreciate the detailed craftsmanship (each piece is still handmade in New York) and affordable price tag. 

It was the heritage behind the Miriam Haskell line that attracted Decades owner Cameron Silver. “We went through the Haskell showroom and archives and the stuff was amazing,” said Silver, who was clad in a black velvet Louis Vuitton tuxedo jacket and custom Miriam Haskell cufflinks at the Tuesday night celebration for the launch of the collection. “Seeing everything and learning more about the incredible history of the brand made me have much more reverence for the house. Miriam Haskell really revolutionized costume jewelry and she was this incredibly liberated young woman to start her own business.”

Expanding on the deeply rooted DNA of the house, Silver collaborated with Gabrielle Fialkoff, president of Haskell Jewels, to create the Uptown/Downtown collection. “We haven’t done a collaboration like this in, well, decades — no pun intended!” said Fialkoff, who initially met Silver when they spoke on a Council of Fashion Designers of America panel about costume jewelry.

The Uptown pieces are all gold in color with layers of clear and iridescent beads and some metallic embroidery. Downtown has an edgier feel, but still with an overt sense of glamour, done in a dark silver-rhodium color.

There is a definite '70s flare, mixed with a touch of Art Deco, running throughout the collection, seen in large Swarovski crystal links, angular statement necklaces and fringy gold tassels hanging off a braided gold belt.

“I said, ‘Let’s just sex it up,’ ” proclaimed Silver about his direction for the collection. “I love the toggle clasps and Swarovski crystal rings. All these were elements in the Haskell canon but had to be looked at with a fresh eye. Even the button earrings would look fresh on a young woman.”

A few of Silver’s friends came wearing pieces from the collection, working the vintage-inspired baubles into more modern-day looks. Kristin Davis wore a bold necklace with a flirty LBD, while Alice Eve paired some intricately designed drop earrings with a strapless, red vintage Moschino number and super high Brian Atwood pumps.

Prices for the line range from $250 to $1,500 and are available now at the Decades Boutique on Melrose Avenue and at Nordstrom starting in November.

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-- Melissa Magsaysay

Top photo: Christos Garkinos, Alice Eve, Kristin Davis, Liza Mae Carlin, Cameron Silver and Gabrielle Fialkoff at Miriam Haskell for Decades launch event. Credit: Stefanie Keena

Jewelry, from top: Miriam Haskell for Decades Downtown Gunmetal and Quartz cuff, $600; Miriam Haskell for Decades Downtown Gunmetal and quartz pendent necklace, $680; Miriam Haskell for Decades Uptown Gold and crystal necklace, $800. Credit: Miriam Haskell