By Helen Olsson By Helen Olsson | November 18, 2021 | People, Style & Beauty, Style, Style & Beauty, fashion,
RECYCLING VINTAGE COUTURE PIECES FROM DECADES PAST IS THE CHICEST WAY TO BE SUSTAINABLE.
SINCE SPRING, Cameron Silver, owner of Decades, the iconic vintage boutique on L.A.’s Melrose Avenue (decadesinc.com), has been traveling around Colorado, making his home base in downtown Boulder. He hosted trunk shows of his couture vintage pieces and signed copies of his fashion tome, Decades: A Century of Fashion (2012) at Weekends in Boulder and at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. This summer, he’ll host sustainable pop-ups across the Centennial State, from Aspen to Denver.
Cameron Silver of L.A.’s Decades in the bar at the Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Telluride. PHOTO BY EMMETT BECKER/COURTESY OF TELLURIDE GALLERY OF FINE ART
So, what does the man who styles actresses like Chloë Sevigny and Michelle Williams for the red carpet in archival couture gowns from Pauline Trigère and Yves Saint Laurent think about fashion in Boulder, a place that’s notorious for being the nation’s worst-dressed? “I’m completely inspired here. I’ve been pitching stories about Boulder style to fashion publications in New York,” says Silver, who was dressed for the Weekends trunk show in an Herno down vest over Topo Designs slacks and shirt. “The mountain style is what all these luxury brands are appropriating now.” With his keen sartorial eye, Silver notes that Colorado locals are wearing “the authentic version of The North Face x Gucci boutique collaboration.” Silver created his own melding of fashion and outdoor during the trunk show by layering two face masks: one fashioned from a vintage Pucci scarf and a more utilitarian one from Helly Hansen.
Silver spent his time hiking in the foothills and getting to know local retail shops like REI and Patagonia. “My style has completely changed in the last month,” he says. Midpandemic, his wealthy L.A. clients, the ones he’s regularly taken to Paris for couture week, started asking for “luxe lounge.” To pull together this new look, he was shopping at Aviator Nation, Barefoot Dreams and Alo Yoga. “Now I want my clients to incorporate more of the Boulder look.”
From Boulder, Silver drove through a snowstorm to Aspen to headline a VIP event for Armani. Silver showed Armani’s Neve snow collection as well as pieces exclusive to Aspen. “I’m having an Armani moment right now,” he says. “I just want to look like Richard Gere in American Gigolo—when I’m not in my North Face puffer, that is.”
This summer, he’ll be curating Decades pop-ups at the Madeline in Telluride (June 24-27, aubergeresorts.com), Telluride Gallery of Fine Art (late June, telluridegallery.com), Denver’s Aline Boutique in conjunction with The Clayton (Aug. 24-25, claytondenver.com) and at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen (aubergeresorts.com).
Will Silver eventually head back to L.A.? “I’ve fallen in love with Colorado. You know, there’s no mayor in Boulder,” he says. “Maybe I’ll run for mayor.”
HERE ARE CAMERON SILVER’S PICKS FOR MUST-HAVE COLORADO-BASED PRODUCTS.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
1. BY ELKE
Artisans at this creative Boulder-based studio and adjoining storefront handcraft one-of-a-kind totes, repurposing vintage textiles like 1968 U.S. Postal Service bags and WWII leather suspenders. The military patch pocket tote features vintage military duff el-bag material with its original metal grommets intact. The crossbody strap combines a handcut leather strap with vintage linen fire hose material. “These oversized totes make the perfect carry-on,” says Silver. 1721 Pearl St., Boulder, 720.535.9531, byelke.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
2. JEN VOLKODAV
Based in Monument, Colo., Volkodav draws inspiration from nature to create one-of-a-kind jewelry like this stunning statement ring in 14K solid rose gold with white floral gold accents ($4,499). The gem is a 0.48 carat Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline. Silver calls her work “tremendous.” 847.778.5495, jenvolkodavjewelrydesign.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
3. NEWTON RUNNING SHOES
Newton crafts ergonomically designed running shoes that fuse comfort, durability and style. This special-edition shoe with Colorado’s trademark “C” on the side is a nod to the brand’s Boulder origins. “I love Newton running shoes,” says Silver. “They’re super light with tremendous support and comfort.” 3675 Frontier Ave., Boulder, 303.442.1113, newtonrunning.com
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