LinkedIn - join us for networking

Check out the marcjoseph profile on LinkedIn. Send us an invitation to join you. We love keeping all our connections active. You can also see other people we know and admire.

Coming Soon - the funniest video ever

So this past weekend I spent two very long days with some of the most professional people I've had the pleasure of working with. We did a video shoot that is coming soon to YouTube. This is a hilarious spoof featuring Secretia Collins of SecretiaTV.com



You'll see it soon.
Thanks to Secretia, John, Roger, Vince, Scott, Eric and Rob.

Marriage Fair for gay and lesbian couples

marcjoseph is producing Marriage Fair on August 23 in West Hollywood. Join us along with dozens of vendors providing everything you need for a most fabulous wedding.





Yes, there will be chocolate fountains. There will be fabulous feathers. There will be lace, tulle, chiffon, and probably even leather. There will be a dance floor, a movie, and even celebrities speaking on behalf of marriage equality.

We still have room for a few more vendors and speakers. Contact us.

www. marcjoseph. com/marriage. html

marcjoseph runway fashion show

We have posted our fabulous runway fashion show from the vintage designer collection of marcjoseph, featuring the world's finest designers.

You can see it here, see it on our myspace page
www.myspace.com/shopmarcjoseph
and on our website
www. marcjoseph. com

It was so exciting to see our clothing on the runway with these wonderful models showing it at its best!

little pink floral 1950's shoes

little pink and red floral fabric shoes from the 1950's, spiked 2 1/2" heel, bows at the toes, the ultimate feminine accessory, excellent hardly-worn condition, size 6, just $65

email us now before they walk away

Modernist Garage Sale this weekend

MODERNIST GARAGE SALE


Join the Pack!
Saturday and Sunday
June 21 & 22, 9 am to 5 pm

Hey Ho, Cool Cats and Hip Chicks
No ordinary sale, Modernist Garage Sale is a celebration of mid-century culture. Held at one of the only mid-century modern estates in Hancock Park, this multi-collector extravaganza has everything to make your

home a swanky swingin' pad.

Furniture, art, clothing, lighting, vintage magazines, pottery, and accessories

all being sold for a tiny fraction of what they're worth. We'll crank up the hi-fi,
bring your own martini mixings.

If you're not inclined to haul your swanky purchases home,
the fabulous celebrity-owned house is also for sale.

Don’t be Pokey. Dew Drop in, Daddy-O. We’ll be sad if you’re not here


.






southeast corner Third & Rossmore
in the heart of Hancock Park, Los Angeles 90020

A Most Amazing Day

Today I had an opportunity to participate in a history-making event, and it was pure magic. Tuesday, June 17, same-sex marriage became legal in California. At 8 am this morning, I arrived in a park in West Hollywood to volunteer for Marriage Equality USA, who set up a booth to offer free wedding photos to couples being married. When I arrived, dozens of members from all the major press outlets were there, and dozens of excited couples were lined up at the West Hollywood courthouse to receive their marriage licenses.

It was a beautiful cross-section of men and women of all different ethnicities, different religions, some with children, some with parents and family members, all here to celebrate an event most of us never expected to occur in our lifetimes. Almost all those who married were well-established couples who had been together twelve years, twenty-three years, even one pair of men who had shared a lifetime of forty-eight years. These were people who clearly understood the levity of marriage and had intertwined their lives with solid commitments for many years. These were absolutely not people who were attempting to make a shocking social or political statement.

While there was a handful (perhaps half a dozen) of protestors, all of them carrying religious signs, they were hardly noticed by the hundreds of loving, supportive friends, family, and even strangers who turned out to solidify the commitments these wonderful men and women were making. My friend Peter, whom I have known for twenty-five years, was one of the first to marry, his fantastic partner Geoff, with whom he has shared his life for twelve years.

I managed to talk with many major press outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, CBS News, and the New York Times, sharing information about the work Marriage Equality is doing to assure that marriage becomes legal and available to all citizens throughout the country. We also will be producing a Marriage Fair in August, with dozens of vendors offering every service neeeded for weddings, receptions, and honeymoons, and raising funds for the continuing work of Marriage Equality.

In a sillier moment, I also had a brief conversation with Satan, a protestor in a devil mask carrying a sign proclaiming "Pervert Weddings Performed Here". I stopped to say to him "Do you realize how ridiculous you are, protesting love and commitment?" He replied "Perverts can't get married.". My response to him was "You're single, aren't you?", as I walked away.

It was truly a magical day, witnessing the depth of commitment these men and women shared on an historic occasion, realizing how much hard-fought work has been done by brave people who have dedicated years to securing these rights of fairness through our judicial system, and by turning the tide of public opinion. If not for them, this day would not have happened.

Modernist Garage Sale

June 21 & 22, we're participating in the legendary Modernist Garage Sale. This is a fantastic collection of mid-century living in the heart of Hancock Park. Furniture, clothing, art, and home accessories are ready to make your swingin' swanky pad even swankier. And it is all dirt cheap.

If you're not inclined to buy things and haul them home, the fabulous celebrity-owned house is also for sale. Join us Saturday and Sunday, June 21 & 22, 9 am to 5 pm, at the southeast corner of Third and Rossmore, in the heart of Hancock Park.

Don't Sleep in the Subway

It's been something I've meant to do for a long time, but never got around to it. Los Angeles has had a subway for quite a few years. What took me so long? It's clean, efficient, easy, and cheap. I've ridden between North Hollywood and Downtown and Pasadena and Hollywood, and soon I'll take a ride to Long Beach.

No more searching and paying for a parking spot, no more sitting in traffic, and no more shoving my wallet into the gas tank.

Short and sweet, get on the subway!

Town Square - the perfect opportunity to network your own business

In May, the first Town Square business networking event took place at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. There were vendors representing many different types of businesses, all there for the purpose of networking with each other. It's working! We have reports from quite a few of the guests about new alliances and collaborations. In fact, we met exciting new people at Town Square and are working together on some creative projects.

Town Square learned which aspects of the group worked well, and which ones could use some improvement. But the magic of smart business people connecting and building and supporting each other is the crucial component which will never be changed.

Wednesday, June 18, from 5-8 pm, Town Square goes to Biddy Mason Park, in the historic core of downtown Los Angeles, just south of Third Street, between Broadway and Spring. Vendors will have plenty of space to set up tables, and there will be live entertainment, wine, beer, and food available.












Admission to Town Square is now free to the public, and we encourage you to spread the word to bring as many people as possible to this important networking event. More information is found on the website www.marcjoseph.com

1950's two-tone lizard handbag

stunning and very rare 1950's two-tone lizard handbag, black lizard body trimmed with lighter colored lizard around the frame and handle, distinctive shape, leather lined, made by Sterling, brass hardware, relatively small interior big enough to fit two fists, 8 1/2" wide, 7 3/4" high excluding handle, 3 3/8" deep, excellent condition, only $225

1950's brown alligator box handbag

classic box bag from the 1950's, brown alligator trimmed with brass hardware, two big compartments lined in tan suede, skins in good shape, brass has been polished but still shows some signs of age

the big detractor is the replacement chain, which is silver links and not a good match for the bag, we recommend finding a more suitable chain - once the chain is replaced, this will be an exceptional example of a mid-century glamour alligator bag

only $60

1960's Margaret Smith floral fabric handbag

vintage 1960's floral fabric bag from Margaret Smith, classic Hamptons/Martha Vineyard old money East Coast look, vibrant color, textured cotton lined with pink satin, appears to not have been used, excellent condition, larger than average size, just $60

Vintage Reptile Handbags! - the first of dozens

We love vintage reptile, and we have the handbags, shoes, belts, and wallets to prove it. This one from our collection is an unusual box bag, caramel color, wide with two interior leather-lined compartments, distinctive brass hardware, built-in vanity mirror, and double carrying strap. It measures 8" long, 6 1/2" high, and a whopping 4 1/4" deep. Dating to the 1950's, it is in excellent condition, and appears to have spent most of its life resting comfortably in the closet. The brass has the proper age burnishing, which could be polished, but we prefer the classic age patina. This bag is in exceptional condition, and would cost a bloody fortune if new. We'll let it go for $300.

marcjoseph from the beginning

About Us...

marcjoseph began in 2000 as a retail store in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Antique and vintage collectors Marc Modrow and Joe Dusick created a showroom unique to Wisconsin, with sophisticated furnishings from the 1880’s to the 1970’s, and an exclusive line of wood bedroom and dining room furniture designed by Marc. In addition, there was vintage clothing from throughout the twentieth century, including the legendary fashion designers from around the world. Yes, it was a little unusual in suburban Milwaukee. Some people loved it and some didn’t. Nonetheless, marcjoseph grew.

In 2004, Marc returned to his native California, moving the retail showroom, first to Burbank, then to Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. California was an excellent place and marcjoseph continued to grow. The 5000 square foot showroom was a great place for entertaining. We hosted art shows, charity events, fashion shows, and even live music every Thursday night.

Most of the retail business came by appointment, and the overhead for the large showroom was extreme. marcjoseph closed the retail showroom in September 2007, continuing to meet clients by appointment through our warehouse. This gave us the freedom to create and produce many new series of events.

Now, marcjoseph is an event production company, hosting art shows, music concerts, charity, fashion, and business networking. Southern California is filled with amazing talent, and we are thrilled to be able to produce and be involved with so many creative and wonderful people. We continue to sell our collection of clothing and furnishings through our own events, through in-home shopping parties, here on our blog, and through our website www.marcjoseph.com

Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey.

Marc and Joe

Room 222 vintage designer clothing

We're preparing for our vintage designer clothing sale this weekend, Room 222, and there is some great stuff surfacing. Let us share just a few photos of items that will be available.




1950's alligator shoes - never worn

Mr Blackwell early 1960's silk dress and cape

1950's large Kelly-style alligator handbag

1950's Levi's western shirt

two-tone 1950's lizard handbag

Thierry Mugler black velvet and satin dress

1950's beaded knit dress

Chanel silk sailor suit

Mainbocher couture gown c1960

Jean Muir 1960's silk dress

Giorgio Armani jacket

Nina Ricci 1960's black brocade coat

1930's taffeta dress with lucite buttons

Givenchy dress pants

Fred Hayman beaded evening top

Don Loper 1950's silk suit

Valentino red wool skirt suit

vintage Fendi signature bag with Louis Vuitton Damier fur shoes

Thierry Mugler white wool suit

Richard Tyler shoes

Gucci shoes, never worn

1950's pink floral shoes

Mark Venaglia hand-painted handbag




This is just a small sample of clothing from Room 222. Join the rest of the stylists, costumers, celebrities, and collectors who shop at Room 222. This clothing is sold for far less than it is worth, far less than the better resale stores.

Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, 11 am to 5 pm
509 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles
upstairs in room #222
818.980.1055
www.marcjoseph.com

Hoagies and Wings and Jazz, oh my!

This Friday, May 16, join us for Jazz in the Park, a free concert in one of the most interesting hidden parks in all of downtown Los Angeles. Just outside the doors of famed Hoagies and Wings restaurant, The Fresh Band will perform twice, at 12:00 noon and at 6:30 pm.

Biddy Mason Park, 332 S Broadway, was named for the amazing Biddy Mason, a black woman who walked behind a stagecoach across the country to come to California in the mid 19th century. She was one of the most influential people in the development of Los Angeles. We'll talk more about Biddy Mason later. This park is a shaded courtyard with a fountain, tables and chairs, a beautiful respite from the street noise.

Join us as this park grooves to The Fresh Band, the first in a series of exciting events that will be coming to Biddy Mason Park. For more information, visit www.hoagiesandwings.com or call 213.613.1212

vintage designer clothing sale

ROOM 222

exceptional clothing for exceptional people

Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, 11 am to 5 pm

Clothing and accessories from the legendary fashion designers of the 20th century

all sold at shockingly low prices

introducing fine antique and estate jewelry

509 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, upstairs in room #222

produced by marcjoseph and Lisa Mionie

www.marcjoseph.com 818.980.1055

Room 222 will be open to the public for a great two-day shopping event Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18. This month we are adding jewelry, which we have not had in the past. There are stunning pieces of antique and estate jewelry, along with a lot more handbags and accessories.

Valentino, Halston, Dior, and dozens more of your favorite designers. The clothing at Room 222 dates from the 1930's to the present, with everything between. Since our overhead is so low and our prices so good, most of the other vintage dealers shop us for clothing to resell in their own stores. Join the stylists, costumers, collectors and celebrities who have shopped our past events. Room 222 is normally open just by appointment, or by exclusive, in-home shopping parties. This is the first public event since January.

Gimme a belt!

black suede belt trimmed with shining gold, made in France by Karl Lagerfeld, black suede buckle in back, 2 1/4" wide, marked size 70, fits small, very good condition, first $50 takes it away

Feather your nest

We have this amazing little handmade handbag covered with feathers, but it's time to pass it on to someone who will take it out in public, cherish it and all the compliments it will bring. A fabulously weird bag, it is covered with cascading two-tone brown and blue feathers. The bag and the handle are brown naugahyde, and the interior is lined in atomic print barkcloth. The materials are 1950's/60's, but we don't know when the bag was made. But it is wild and wonderful. Without the handle it is 8" high and 8" across, with just one open compartment. It's in very nice condition with just a little ruffling of the feathers. The first $65 takes this bird away.

SOLD!

Mark Venaglia - the art deco works

Mark Venaglia is a brilliant artist with a successful 25 year career. His work has been shown in galleries around the world, collected by many celebrities, and shows a rich, passionate degree of knowledge for the craft of art. Here is a photographic journey of one of his most stunning series, the Art Deco works.


"For Revelation"

"For Revelation" (detail)













"Luxurious Light"







"Contender"

"Oxidized"












"Hollywood Bowl"

"No One Can Hold Back the Dawn"












"Josephine"








"The Sirius Sky" a detail portion of a mural from Eddie Murphy's ceiling

"Love Is"









"Evolution"





"The Kiss"





"The Boy King"

"Spirit of LA"










Many of the original paintings are available, but each one of these images is available as a signed, limited-edition, artist-enhanced giclee.

See Mark and some of his work this Thursday, May 8, at Town Square.
http://www.marcjoseph.com/townsquare

And see more of Mark's work at http://www.markvv.com and http://www.markvvart.com

You're in for a Lotte Trouble

Seethingly seductive while being LOL funny. Can it be done? Enthusiastically yes. Lotte Trouble, exiled from Bogoslavia, has come to Los Angeles with her distinctive brand of smoldering hilarity. The ultimate femme fatale bad girl, her songs leer with suggestiveness, while her comedic delivery lets everyone enjoy the inside joke.


Big hair! Big feathers! Big cleavage!












See Lotte in the most unexpected of places this Thursday at Town Square, http://www.marcjoseph.com/townsquare
Those business people networking the Biltmore Hotel will be knocked out of their garters.

You're in for a Lotte Trouble!

The former marcjoseph showroom

Here are photos of the former marcjoseph showroom, 7210 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. We closed the retail showroom in September 2007. Much of the merchandise has been sold, but much is also in storage, waiting for the right opportunities to be shown. Let us know if there is something that "speaks" to you.

I thought I would miss having that big, luxurious space. But so many amazing things have been happening since then, moving forward is so much more exciting than looking back.

Prada for pennies

From our collection of way too many shoes, Prada caramel suede D'orsay, pointed toe, 2" heel, big decorative silver buckle, worn about three times with the most minor scuffing of the soles, otherwise excellent condition.



Is your magic size 38 1/2? If so, these need to be yours. Let everyone think you spend $500 for shoes.



The first $50 takes them. Email us.

SOLD!

Downtown Art Walk next Thursday

The Downtown Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — commercial art galleries, museums, and non-profit arts venues. Public information and a printable map of the Downtown Art Walk are available at http://www.downtownartwalk.com/. It takes place all day from 12-9 pm, with the biggest crowds in the evening. Visit the Art Walk then get something wonderful to eat at the dozens of new restaurants that keep sprouting.

Participants in the Downtown Art Walk are The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Gallery at REDCAT, L.A. Artcore Center, de Soto, 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery, Art Slave, Morono Kiang Gallery, Taller 410, Museum of Neon Art, Crewest, Dale Youngman Gallery, LAMP Community Art Project, Pharmaka, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, El Nopal Press, Bert Green Fine Art, Red Dot Gallery, Niche.LA Video Art, The Spring Arts Collective Gallery, M. J. Higgins, Bailey Gallery, Art Murmur Gallery, 626 Gallery, Infusion Gallery, Gallery 727, The Hive Gallery, groundfloor, 01 Gallery, City Center Gallery, Dalessio, Gary Leonard, Grey Goose, and Gallery at 7th & Fig.

This is a great opprotunity to get out and explore the radical changes taking place in downtown LA. New retail stores, new art galleries, new restaurants, and nightlife are all popping up weekly. There are pedestrians all over and it is safe and comfortable. Get out of your car and get out of the traffic. From anywhere in southern California, you can get easy public transportation into downtown.

Also happening the same day is Town Square. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a business to network with other business people and make exciting things happen. Visit the website at www.marcjoseph.com/townsquare Also see what has been written at http://www.angelenic.com/

A FREE Art Walk shuttle loops throughout Gallery Row on Art Walk nights from 7-10 pm, with the last bus leaving at 9:45 pm. The shuttle makes stops at most intersections on Spring and Main Streets from 2nd to 8th Streets as indicated on the Art Walk map. Shuttles will be hosted by local historians Mike the Poet (author of “I Am Alive in Los Angeles”), and Richard Schave of Esotouric, who will provide information to visitors on the history of downtown Los Angeles. Thanks to the Los Angeles Downtown Neighborhood Council for making this DASH service possible.