Photography courtesy of Decades
Cameron Silver’s L.A. store, Decades, is considered the ne plus ultra destination for vintage—it’s a requisite stop for actresses before they walk the red carpet. Silver’s also published a book, Decades: A Century of Fashion, and starred on Bravo’s Dukes of Melrose. And he’s become a frequent visitor here, getting involved with local cultural institutions. On April 28 and 29, he returns for a trunk show to benefit the Opera Theater of Saint Louis (314-961-0171, opera-stl.org) and its upcoming gala, themed “Twenty-Seven” after the newly commissioned opera of the same name about Gertrude Stein in Paris.
What drew you to get involved with Opera Theatre?
I was originally a classically trained singer. In the early ’90s, I did an album of German Weimar cabaret songs. I definitely have an appreciation for the vocal arts.
Will this month’s trunk show have a French theme?
Well, we won’t let anyone look like Gertrude Stein, per se, but there will be a nice mix of French fashion and fragile dresses from the ’20s. We’ll have some things that represent the joie of France: Dior couture, Chanel, [Yves Saint Laurent], some Vionnet, Madame Grès—a lot of the great French names and things with a literary, artistic bent.
How do you determine whether an item is vintage?
Whenever I buy something for the store, I ask, “Does it look modern?” That will help you look distinctive: using clothing from the past to look to the future. It’s a way of separating yourself from the pack, but it’s also a way to look progressive and modern, because vintage always dictates modern trends. That’s evident in more or less every medium, from film to theater to music—it’s all sampling from the past.
How can I tell whether something in my wardrobe is of value?
Nowadays, even pieces that are fairly current are gaining value in a much shorter time. I call it neo-vintage. In this ubiquitous world of luxury—where no matter where you are, you can have access to style—there are things that are limited. Designers leave houses, die, or retire, so things we wouldn’t normally have thought of as being collectible suddenly are.
What’s your best recent score?
Some early Dior pieces, including a YSL for Dior alligator-and-mink beatnik jacket from a legendary collection. We just have to find the right home for it. It’s a piece that will increase in value, as it will never be seen again on the market. Maybe we’ll bring it to the trunk show!
