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bought out the other owners, and in 1919, changed the name of the
corporation to "Joseph Magnin Co., Inc." (JM). JM has been in
continuous existence as a California corporation from 1919
through at least 1988. Starting a rival women's clothing store
using the Magnin name caused a rift between Joseph and the rest
of his family, which lasted for many years.
Joseph led JM to compete directly in I. Magnin's retail
market for the same customers and the same suppliers. Because I.
Magnin had all its finest suppliers tied up in exclusive
contracts, JM had a difficult time finding suppliers. In the
early years of JM, the store thrived on the strength of
Charlotte's millinery business, which had followed her from I.
Magnin to JM. Until the late 1930's, JM was known in the trade
as the second-rate I. Magnin.
Cyril began working for JM as a child, and at the time of
World War I, he was involved in management. In 1925, Cyril
married Anna Smithline (Anna), and they remained married until
Anna's death on July 12, 1948. Cyril and Anna had three
children: Donald Isaac Magnin (Donald), born November 17, 1926;
Ellen Lois Magnin (Ellen), born April 19, 1928; and Jerry Allen
Magnin (Jerry), born July 30, 1938. Cyril's children also began
working for JM at early ages.
Anna was a skilled designer and buyer of women's apparel
when she and Cyril married, and she became an important designer
and chief buyer of JM's women's apparel. Although everyone at JM
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Last modified: May 25, 2011