Trina Turk

Trina Turk
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 and has successfully
evolved what began as a women’s contemporary clothing line into a mini lifestyle brand. Born in California and raised here and in the state of
Washington, her mother taught her to sew when Trina 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.
Trina went to 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, Turk’s 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 known 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 Frey. 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 just finished it’s second summer season this
year and will be back next year.
Spring 2009 brought the introduction of a printed indoor/outdoor fabric collection for the home with venerable home furnishings
manufacturer Schumacher, and Trina Turk residential products, including rugs, pillows and tabletop textiles. A new Schumacher collection
launches for Spring 2011. Trina Turk has been able to use her talent and success to support many charitable arts and historic preservation
organizations including: Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Project Angel Food, Dress for Success, Step Up Women’s Network, Upward Bound
House, Women of Tomorrow, and Family Service, The Hammer Museum, MOCA, The Palm Springs Art Museum, The Los Angeles Conservancy,
The Palm Springs Modern Committee, The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Trina has also been a design mentor to
fashion design students at OTIS College of Art and Design.

Meet
Trina Turk