Trina Turk Gives Some Design Tips to Otis Students
Trina Turk, in the center, works with Otis students
Third-year students at the Otis School of Art and Design in Los Angeles got some expert advice from well-known Los Angeles designer Trina Turk on how to make their swimwear and cover-ups look even better.
Turk, who has her own line of apparel, was at the school on Tuesday, dispensing helpful hints on what makes a swimsuit look good and how the fabric could be better employed. Looking at a student's suit worn by a model, Turk noted the straps on a bikini top were too far apart. Someone marked a new strap location with a safety pin. "The elastic on the leg is a little bit tight," she observed. "And the bottom should be higher on the side to make it look a little sexier."
Students were taking in everything she said. Turk knows a thing or two about swimwear. Her name is being licensed to Apparel Ventures in Los Angeles, which makes the Trina Turk swimwear label.
This is the fourth time Turk has imparted her wisdom to Otis students. She has helped out in classes about dressmaking and sportswear. "I think it is sort of fun to work with students," she said. "Also, we are an L.A.-based company that has been around for 14 years, and we're a successful company. You have to get the next generation of designers to understand what a manufacturer does in Los Angeles."
Students were using printed fabric provided by Turk, known for her colorful prints. Texollini in Long Beach, Calif., was providing the solid fabrics. Also attending the class was Andrea Matousek, swimwear marketing director for Invista, which is sponsoring the project with Xtra Life Lycra and a $50,000 scholarship fund.
