Trina Turk considers herself lucky on two counts. First because she knew at a fairly young age what she wanted to do when she grew up – to design clothing professionally and second, because she is succeeding at doing it beyond her wildest dreams.

Born in California and raised there and in the state of Washington, her mother taught her to sew when Turk was 11 years old. She studied apparel design at the University of Washington and took her first job with the Seattle-based sportswear manufacturer, Britannia Jeans. Turk’s next stop was Los Angeles, where she waded into a sea of 30 prints per season designing surf wear for Ocean Pacific. Other jobs designing mostly juniors followed.

Realizing that her resume wasn’t likely to bring offers to design a line of contemporary clothing for women, Turks next step was the launch of her own business. With her husband, then stylist, now photographer Jonathan Skow as partner, Trina Turk, the company, was born in 1995. In the same year her clothing was sold by Barney’s New York, Fred Segal, and Saks Fifth Avenue. With design and production headquartered minutes from Downtown Los Angeles in Alhambra California, Trina Turk’s wholesale sales topped $40 million in 2009.

Inspired by the multicultural mix, architecture, and landscape of Los Angeles and California, The Trina Turk Collection is full of the Season’s most casually sophisticated – and “must have” silhouettes. Trina’s philosophy is to create wearable, optimistic fashion that incorporates the best aspects of classic American sportswear. The collection has become know for an amazing pant fit and gorgeous signature prints. Swimwear was introduced in 2007 through a license with Apparel Ventures.

Trina has drawn constant inspiration from the cocktail party and poolside lifestyle of the desert, so it was fitting that the first Trina Turk boutique opened in March 2002 in Palm Springs, California in a modernist building designed by Albert Fey. The flagship store in Los Angeles is an airy ladylike pink-hued space. In December 2006, Trina Turk New York opened in the meatpacking district, bringing a splash of California color to the neighborhood. Trina Turk residential opened in May 2008 next door to the original boutique in Palm Springs. Boutiques at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California, Burlingame, California and Bal Harbour shops in Miami, Florida are the latest additions. A summertime only shop in East Hampton will open this May.

Spring 2009 brought the launch of a hosiery “guest designer” line with Hue, and a printed fabric collection for the home with the venerable home furnishings manufacturer Schumacher, and Trina Turk residential products, including rugs, pillows and tabletop textiles.

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