Talla: Prints of San Francisco
San Francisco–based Talla Wesely’s clothing line, Talla, is all about the prints. Wesely’s richly colored modern graphics of birds and leaves printed on T-shirts, tote bags, silk scarves and pillows have been catching the eye of consumer publications such as Lucky magazine since 2004. Last year, the designer expanded the collection into sportswear, including a cotton jacket, cotton camisoles, silk blouses and skirts.
“I look to choose really simple silhouettes that are flattering and easy,” Wesely said. The designer says her focus is drawing attention to the splashes of printed color.
A handcrafted quality runs through Wesely’s original graphic designs, down to the method used to apply the prints.
Wesely works with the company Samiti & Tharangini Designs (www.samiti.com), whose goal is to educate and train underprivileged women in traditional arts and crafts. The company is linked with charitable social-service organizations. Through the program SilksByDesign, women in rural India apply Talla’s wood block–print and silk-screen designs by hand.
Wesely said the “human pressure” of applying the print creates a stamp effect with a whimsical non-uniformity.
The designer says her prints are inspired by fine art, illustration, music and nature. The organic theme is suited to San Francisco, which is “a little bit of a bubble” in the highpaced world of fashion, Wesely said.
For Spring 2006, the collection takes on a loose Spanish theme with a “Flora” print and a “Sangria” raindrop print in fuchsia, teal, orange and yellow combinations. “The fuchsia colors in the ’Sangria’ print look like all the fruits in sangria,” said Talla, adding that the wine reference is enhanced by crepe silk fabric destined for a party.
Wholesale price points range from $26 for a solid-colored piqueacute; cotton polo with anchor embroidery to $38 for a cotton voile shouldertie blouse, $70 for a crepe silk skirt with cotton waistband and $124 for a crepe silk kimonostyle dress with a contrasting “Sangria” print around the V-neck, waistline and boxy short sleeves.
For more information on Talla, contact the Ginger showroom, Suite 510, in The New Mart, at (213) 689-9620. —Rhea Cortado
