Trina Turk's flirty fashions a star attraction

Shirtdress by Trina Turk

In this story: No teen apparel for her 'Women with strong fashion sense' RELATED STORIES, SITES

(Fashion Wire Daily) -- Designer Trina Turk loves sunglasses, sushi and Audrey Hepburn. In fact, the latter was a big influence on Los Angeles-based Turk in the early stages of her career.

When creating a collection, this was her rule of thumb: If an item would fit into Hepburn's wardrobe, it would make the cut; if not, it was outta there. The rule worked.

Today's Hollywood sirens -- including Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, Rene Russo, Gwen Stefani, Meg Ryan, Katie Holmes and Heather Graham -- are snatching up Turk's flirty clothes famous for their casual, comfortable fit and psychedelic prints.

"Prints are fun and express something about a personality. They hold a very West Coast sensibility," the California native says.

Turk began her career as a design assistant for juniors' denim line Brittania after graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in apparel design. Yet it didn't take long for her to grow frustrated with her first job.

An advertisement for the Los Angeles designer

"I didn't really like focusing all my energy on teen trends and price points," she says about her past.

Finally, after 12 years of working for different companies, Turk took a big leap and created her own line in 1995. "I wanted to design what I wanted to wear," Turk explains.

And what is it that she and many other women (including Audrey) want to wear? "Cool pants that fit," she says matter-of-factly, clearly at ease without having to worry about those pesky price points.

In the five years since she started her business, she's seen her line expand to Saks, Barneys, Nordstrom and Fred Segal. Her clothes are also popular in Asia, Australia and Canada. Turk plans to open her first flagship store in sunny Palm Springs, California.

"What better place to have a Trina Turk store?" she muses. Aspiring to a longevity like Calvin Klein's, she hopes her expansion will not affect her integrity: "Calvin Klein has maintained a consistent look throughout the years," she says.

"From the mid-'70s to today, he's stuck to his guns and stayed true to his look." Her current customer base is "women who have a strong fashion sense, but aren't ruled by fashion," Turk says.

"A twenty-something college student interested in design or a fifty-something homemaker who wants a good value and a good fit would wear my clothes."

When she spots her clothes out on the town, she loves to see women mixing and matching them with clothing from high-end designers to everyday GAP.

"It's great that you can put a top together with virtually anything."

This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Universal Press Syndicate.

Klein fashions 'healthy, vibrant' look for fall/winter 2000
October 19, 2000
Calvin Klein 'shirts' the issue
May 19, 2000

Trina Turk
Calvin Klein biography (FashionWindows.com)

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.