I. Magnin's Boxes

 The I. Magnin department store in Beverly Hills was located at  9626 Wilshire Boulevard at Bedford.    It was a prominent store known for its upscale fashion and elegant atmosphere. The building, designed by architect  Myron Hunt,  was a notable example of the  Art Moderne style, featuring white marble and black granite accents. The store opened in 1928 and eventually closed in 1990, later becoming Saks Fifth Avenue. The store was known for its luxurious atmosphere, exclusive apparel salon, and loyal clientele. In the early 1950's my mom and my aunt Helen worked there.  My mom wrapped gifts. The Magnin's boxes were beautiful gold foil with pink stripes.  Famous people shopped there and my mom once brought home a beautiful pair of shoes for me. They were black velvet Mary Janes with a tiny strip of rhinestones across the front of the shoes. My mom said now you have a pair of shoes just like the ones that Judy Garland bought for her daughter Liza.  A couple of times my mother would bring me to the store and it was like walking into a dream.  All the saleswomen were dressed smartly and they would stand by the counter and address the regular clientele by name.  "Hello Mrs. so and so". The service was impeccable.  There were elevator operators at this time and they would announce every floor and the items to be found on that level.. Example4th floor Women's lingerie.  There would be beautiful models who walked around the lovely restaurant. When women dined there there would be a kind of informal fashion show with model's wearing apparel from the different departments.  My mother said there was one model that was so beautiful with the sweetest disposition.   Her name was Jocelyn. My mother named my sister after that model.  

The gift boxes from I. Magnin's