GALLERIA J ANTONIO IS 50 YRS OLD THIS SUMMER OMG!!!!!

 It was the summer of 1975 when our neighbor, Mark Dittrick (Basket Weaver) on west 89th street accompanied us to JULIE SCHAFLER-of   JULIE ARTISANS GALLERY 762 Madison Ave ny 

Jose Antonio had taken Mens cotton underwear and  HANES ,cotton ,wife beater, tank tops and remade them into Bright , Candy  Rit-Dyed colored dyed swim wear .   

Julie and Rick loved them and quickly thought we needed them to be  photographed and promoted .

a phone call was made and 

 A very young ,Jesse Gee and Jose Antonio found ourselves at 

14-16 east 67th street  Ny ny 10021

The double townhouse mansion of Penthouse Publisher BOB GUCCIONE!!!!

Walking into the entrance was overwhelming for us since our west 89th street  Studio apt could have

 fit 400 times into the place.  

The crystal chandelier overhead sparkled like something from the wizard of oz and we were greeted by a very nice lady who ushered us into the center of the room .  

Then , like a movie ,Bob Guccione came down the staircase with a slew of gold chains and a hugh Gold coin around his neck.  Those chains against the hair on his chest made him  look like a Roman God .

In an office later I explained to him how those body suits were created into the finished bright product they he was looking at .  He loved the transformation ..

Bob was especially delighted to see the common mens briefs turned into a beautiful woman's top.

He kept our samples and the next thing you know it ,

Jose Antonio Designs ended up on a  fabulous , 3 page , fashion spread in 

VIVA MAGAZINE summer 1975  

Credits gave our PO Box address NY NY 10024 address.

Jose Antonio Designs  wholesale

J. Antonio  Retail

and now Galleria J Antonio           was Born .....The summer of 1975  

Thanks to 

Julie Schaffer , Rick , and Bob Guccione.

There is lots more people that helped me along the way but that's for another blog ..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GALLERIA J ANTONIO   

I am humbled by the love and self esteem that it has brought to my artistic soul..