CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL!: Playing Dress Up with Decades' Christos Garkinos & Cameron Silver

No matter your age, we all play dress up at some point in life. Whether we were channeling Sleeping Beauty in one of our mother's long, delicate dresses or pretending to be Pocahontas in her vintage pony skin boots, Sally and I still treasure those hours we spent transforming into the heroines from our favorite Disney films and Brothers Grimm books.

Getting Her Beauty Sleep: Dakota Fanning 

dressed in DIOR Fall 2006 for Vanity Fair

Today, we still love holding court in our closets just as much as we enjoy interpreting the style of our favorite, modern day "guardians of good taste" in our own unique way.

But if pillaging your closets' contents to dress your inner Grace (or Minka!) Kelly isn't your forte, don't fret. Help is on the way! For your next fashion epiphany, you need only know two names: Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver.

Esquire magazine's "Sexiest Woman Alive" 

Minka Kelly dresses up by dressing way down

Famed for their exquisite taste and signature style, Christos and Cameron are the co-owners of Decades and Decadestwo.1, the nation's "top shops" for vintage and über-luxe consignment clothing.

Sitting Pretty: Cameron Silver at Decades

So what is this creative duo doing when they aren't scouring the world for one-of-a-kind fashions, transforming clients with their icon-making clothing, (re)defining what's hip and hot around the country, or (Cameron Silver) being named one of the "25 Most Influential Names and Faces in Fashion" by Time magazine? Why hosting their third two-day, pop-up installment at Chicago's space519, on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, of course!

Here, Decades' Christos Garkinos gives us the inside scoop on what we can expect and weighs in on everything from reality shows and jewelry collaborations to his personal picks for cold-weather dressing. 

Detroit native and Decadestwo.1's 
Christos Garkinos

Luxe File Chicago: Last April, vintage lovers, fashion bloggers, and the city’s top tastemakers flocked to Decades’ second pop-up shop event at space519 which featured a clever mash-up of fashionable must-haves - from Manolos and Louboutins to red carpet-ready designer dresses donated by some of Hollywood’s most revered leading ladies. What’s in store for shoppers at your next pop-up presentation? 

Christos Garkinos: We are bringing amazing winter wear, sexy cocktail dresses, and insane Chanel accessories. And on Sunday, our $150 shoe event and $50 Decades denim event will be a fashionista’s dream come true! Click HERE for a sneak peek.

Shoe candy on display at Decades' second pop up event at space519

LFC: You have a passion for collaboration and your latest venture with Miriam Haskell is no exception. What drew you to the luxe costume jewelry giant and tell us what is unique about the “Uptown/Downtown“ collection, which includes twenty-four pieces and was designed exclusively for Decades? 

Christos Garkinos: We have always loved and sold Miriam Haskell in our vintage boutique. With this collaboration, we were able to go into the archives and apply that special Decades touch to bring a sense of modernity to the line. The uptown/downtown feel lets the Decades girl adorn herself based on her look and it is quite reasonably priced, too. 

Miriam Haskell earrings for Decades

LFC: Although deeply entrenched in LA culture, Decades is familiar with the Midwest’s fashion mentality – conservative luxury. With that in mind, what stylish essentials would you recommend for a Chicago girl who wants to add some spice to her wardrobe this season? 

CG: I'm originally from Detroit, so I get the Midwest fashion mentality. From our winter collection, we are bringing coats that are chic, but also sturdy – those winter winds are brutal! We have great Rick Owens leather jackets, Prada coats, and for some spice – great Louboutin boots!

Warm things up this winter with Louboutin. 

We love this furry pair!

 
LFC: Most of us know Decades - the Hollywood-based luxury retailer that consigns vintage and modern designer duds from the closets of celebrities, stylists and fashion icons and sells everything up to 80% off retail – but few know how the company got started or the Garkinos/ Silver collaboration. Come out of the closet and catch us up Cliff Notes-style, please!
 
CG: Cameron started the vintage business in 1997 – he was a cabaret singer before then and would vintage shop in the different cities he performed. A mutual friend set us up on a blind date – it was complete disaster - but we got along very well as friends. In 1999, the vintage clients wanted to sell their more modern pieces, so Cameron and I went into business together. I had a retail background and thought that this would be a great opportu- nity. 
 
LFC: Bravo TV’s just-launched reality show, “Fashion Hunters”, gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the DIOR-drenched world of second-hand fashion. The savvy staffers of New York’s trendy thrift-store-cum-cult-clothing-emporium, Second Time Around, race around the city dressing their hip clientele while searching for buried treasure in the closets of the city’s most stylish. 

Design Dandy: Second Time Around's 

Wilson Payamps

 
This show has “Decades” written all over it! What would you do differently if Hollywood came calling?

CG: They have come a calling. You will just have to wait and see! 

Actress Cassie Scerbo at Decades Denim 

Launch Party, Beverly Hills, CA

LFC: Your website, Decadestwo.1, is a treasure trove of designer duds (we’re currently fixated on the heavenly Roberto Cavalli dress with gold metallic accents). Which is your favorite piece and which item(s) would you recommend we scoop up before they’re gone? 

 
CG: I’m a sucker for a Chanel necklace with Gripoix jewels. There is one on our site in green. It will be coming to Chicago. It’s fab!

Chain Gang: Chanel Gold Chain and 

Green Gripoix CC Logo Necklace

LFC: Your clients and friends are the Who’s Who of Hollywood – from Jessica Alba and Rose McGowan to Molly Sims and Rachel Zoe. Ba-na-nas! Who truly personifies the “Decades girl” and if you could pick anyone to dress head-to-toe, who would it be? 

 
CG: I think that someone like Marisa Tomei well personifies the Decades girl. She’s timeless, has innate style, and is willing to mix it up. Gaga. Because she needs us.

Gaga The Great: Pretty Monster Makeover?

LFC: Luxe File Chicago has dedicated its site to the “love of living luxuriously”. Finish this sentence, “When it comes to living luxuriously, always…” 
 
CG: "...be yourself." 

Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver photo credit: XA, The Experiential Agency

Shoes photo credit: Kate Templin Stahl/PopSugar

Cassie Scerbo photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Posted by Kerry Shorr

LUXE FILE ♥ AMANDA BROOKS!

On Wednesday, September 30, Vogue magazine contributor, fashion consultant and author, Amanda Brooks, was in Chicago for a book-signing party, hosted by Chanel at its Michigan Avenue boutique.

Luxe File sat down with the fashion femme to discuss an assortment of subjects ranging from her new book and next steps to stalking Patrick Demarchelier and her obsession with American Apparel unitards.

LF: What inspired you to write this book?

AB: I wanted to encourage women to find their own sense of personal style. While we are all inspired by magazines, designers, celebrities and stylists, it’s important to have the tools you need to become the person you want to show to the world each day.

LF: A woman can be the epitome of style but how does she stay inwardly inspired?

AB: I think it’s trial and error. Just have the willingness to try something new, even if you regret it. I once wore a dress that I felt, from the moment I left the house, was a huge mistake. But then I had people commenting on it all night and I was like, “Are you insane? You really like this dress?” So it’s just a willingness to try different styles, to dress out of your comfort zone and not worry so much about what other people think.

LF: When it comes to style, do you agree with a "less is more" approach?

AB: I think you just have to feel like yourself in your clothes in order to carry things off. There are people who are suited for much simpler looks while others are suited for more ornate ones. Diana Vreeland was an amazing style icon and she was highly ornate. So I think it depends more on the individual and what suits them the best.

LF: Our fashion “foundation” begins early in life and can be affected by those close to us. Who influenced your style?

AB: My mother. The dedication page of my book is all pictures of her. Different parts of my mother’s life inspire me at different times. For instance, when I want to dress casually, I’m always thinking about my mom in the 1970's. She lived in Palm Beach and would always wear little striped t-shirts with worn-in, bell-bottom jeans, a little Gucci ostrich purse and huge oversized sunglasses. It was an amazing combination of Palm Beach classic sportswear and a groovy 1970's feel. I very much relate to that in myself.

Then in the 1980's, my mom moved to New York and she really got into experimenting. She wore a lot of Azzedine Alaia and I definitely channel that look when I go out at night and want to be dressed up.

LF: Who are some of your style icons?

AB: (Flipping through her book) Jane Berkin is a huge style icon for me. And Bridget Bardot. There are so many photos of Bridget Bardot that you see and you think you’ve seen every photo of Bardot but I hope, as you go through the book, you will see photos you’ve never seen before that are amazing. Kate Moss, obviously. The thing I love most about Kate Moss is she looks different every single day. She doesn’t really stick to one style but she always looks like herself.

LF: Women today are bombarded with images of what society deems attractive. How can we overcome superficial beauty metaphors so that we may find our own personal style?

AB: Diane von Furstenberg always says, “Personal style is accepting who you are.” For her, it was about embracing her curly hair. She grew up in Belgium where her hair was brown and curly and everyone else’s was blonde and straight. She really struggled with it her whole life. Even as recently as the 1990's, she was still straightening her hair. Now, her hair is wild and curly. She says it took all these years to accept her hair and she dresses much more authentically to herself now and is much more comfortable in her own body. She looks the best she’s ever looked and it’s because she just embraces what she was born with and who she is. I think every woman can relate to that.

LF: Who are you wearing right now?

AB: I’m wearing Chanel. The dress is from the Resort Collection a couple seasons ago and the necklace is from the current Cruise Collection. I’m also wearing Chanel shoes.

LF: In Chicago, where is your favorite place to shop?

AB: (Laughing) Well, yesterday was my first day in Chicago! I was here for one day when I was 18 years old for a party. So, what did I do yesterday? I arrived to Chicago, went to the Museum of Contemporary Art and had a salad in the café there. Then I walked up North Rush Street and I went to Ikram, Barneys, and American Apparel. I LOVE American Apparel! I exercise in their unitards and sleep in their Henley shirts.

LF: Who are some of your favorite designers today?

AB: Consistently, one of my favorite designers is Chanel. It has that great mix of very classic clothes, for all ages and sizes. There’s also a use of materials that are not precious like when they put plastic on their suits. That makes things more interesting. For me, my look is often very “classic”. I don’t want to look like a cliché so I like to add a little bit of irony. I feel Chanel does that so well.

LF: You have built a very close relationship with one of fashion’s most intriguing designers, Diane von Furstenberg. How long have you been friends?

AB: I met Diane when I was 18. I was dating her son, Alex. I’m 35 now. I also work for her as a consultant. She really is a remarkable woman. She designed her life with no blueprint. She took all of her conditioning and what the world deemed "appropriate” and just got rid of all that. She lives her life in a way that works for her.

LF: Is there anything a woman must have in her closet?

AB: I think every woman's closet should contain a “10 Greatest Hits”. Those are the pieces that you’ve had over the years that just work for you - a blouse, a jacket, a pair of jeans, a cardigan. Whatever items they are, you should know and be able to identify them because they are the foundation of your wardrobe.

LF: Is there anything a woman should ban from her closet?

AB: The only fashion “don’t” I can offer is you should never wear anything you do not feel like yourself in or be proud of when you walk out the door.

LF: Favorite words of wisdom?

AB: “Insist on yourself, never imitate” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's in my book. It means knowing who you are and always being yourself.

LF: You have had an illustrious career in fashion – a coveted internship with photographer Patrick Demarchelier, creative director for Tuleh, contributing writer for Vogue magazine, author, muse and style icon. What advice would you give to a young person who would like to follow in your footsteps?

AB: I would say, “Follow your bliss”. Go where the path takes you but take responsibility for your life, too. I think the worst thing you can do is to not try things because you don’t know what you want to do. I got the internship with Patrick Demarchelier because I saw him in a restaurant. I went up and introduced myself to him and he invited me to come to his studio the next day to watch a shoot. There was a blizzard and the shoot was cancelled. His manager later offered me an internship. I wouldn’t say it was because of luck because I took the initiative. Before I worked with Patrick, I was planning to be a waitress in Burlington, VT for the summer. If I hadn’t gone up to him that night and introduced myself, who knows where I’d be right now!

LF: What is next on your agenda? Are you going to relax a little bit or write another book?

AB: (Laughing) No, I’m definitely not going to relax! I run a company and I’m really busy with that. I’ll start to think about another book after this one winds down. “I ♥ Your Style” definitely lends itself to other subjects – Beauty, Wedding, Home – so we’ll see.

LF: LUXE FILE is dedicated to “the love of living luxuriously". Please finish this sentence: "When it comes to living luxuriously, always..."

AB: Make sure you’re enjoying it. And always do it with a smile.

Story by Kerry Shorr