Webster’s says: “something relating to the present of recent times, as opposed to the remote past.”

Still, in design, it refers to “Mid-century Modern,”  which the quippy Webster defines as “a style of design (an in architecture and furniture) of roughly the 1930’s through the mid-1960′, characterized by clean lines, organic and streamlined forms and lack of embellishment.”

But Downtown Modernism is something else entirely: a twice a year mid-century fair held in a giant lot in Vernon, produced by the LA store Modernica. Among the glass pieces, vintage lamps, shapely sofas, Santa Fe style jewelry, design books, some wearable things, old luggage, Modernica chairs, all set in stylish stalls, there are some real gems.

As is the crowd. Many devotees come every time, most dressing the part – whatever their definition of it is. L.A. designer of rock star clothes Henry Duarte always sports his distinct 70’s style. Others put on their version of modernism: it’s always vintage, always mismatched, always original. Just like modernism itself. The twice a year Downtown Modernism lollapalooza/Coachella-sized gatherings of collectors of mid-century furniture and ephemera, held in Vernon in an outdoor industrial space, sells amazing eclectic vintage memorabilia. Which reflects style the collectors, too. Did they intend to dress to match the furnishings? Maybe. But it sure turned out that way.