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!