On a warm, breezy night last week, Trina Turk and Mr. Turk, the newest retail store on Larchmont, opened with a festive celebration hosted by company founderTrina Turk and her husband Jonathan Skow, designer of Mr. Turk. Guests enjoyed burgers from across-the-street neighbor Burger Lounge, and ice cream from down-the-street neighbor Salt and Straw. Hancock Park residents Roger and Lisa Morrison, owners of Jardesca California Aperitiva, were also pouring their signature Garden to Glass cocktails, which paired perfectly with Turk’s colorful, fun palette.
The new store, the combined spaces of the former Pickett Fences (now across the street) and Hans Custom Optik (now up the street) has been redone in signature Trina Turk style, featuring warm, wood walls with a sunny, white custom-made ceramic tile floor.
Delighted and delightful, Trina Turk welcomed her guests to her only LA store, which came together quickly for the evening’s opening just three months after signing the leases. “We were hoping to open in 60 days but 90 days turned out to be more realistic,” said Turk.
Residents of nearby Los Feliz, the Turks discovered Larchmont back in the mid-1980s, when they were living in Park LaBrea. Skow was working as a fashion stylist. At the advice of a friend, a makeup stylist, the couple discovered Larchmont Beauty Supply and have been loyal customers ever since.
After she closed her Third Street store, Turk began looking for a new location that would offer parking and foot traffic, two major shortcomings of the Third Street location. After looking at possibilities in Beverly Hills and Montana Avenue, they settled on Larchmont.
Originally, Turk said she thought she might be across the street (ironically, where Pickett Fences is now). But when this space became available, Turk explained she was thrilled because of the two separate doors, one for Trina Turk and one for Mr. Turk, so their male customers can come right into the men’s side of the store. Plus, Turk is right next door to the Larchmont Beauty Supply, across the street from Flywheel, and down the street from the Yoga Studio…all of which cater to her customers.
“Our customer lives in Hancock Park,” said Turk. “We wanted to be on Larchmont. This space with the broad store front really worked the best for us.”
Turk plans to be on the street at least five years, maybe more; she’s not sure about the lease details. The Larchmont location will make it easier to work with stylists and offer studio services for special clients. But she really wants local customers to come in and check out the store.
While at first glance it may seem that the large graphics and colorful palette of the Turk line might not suit everyone, Turk pointed out they have lots of navy blue, and black too.
“Come in and try stuff on; we spend a lot of time on the fit,” explained Turk. “I love it when someone comes in and they try something on that might be out of their comfort zone and it looks great on them…and they love it too.”
Jardesca Garden to Glass Cocktails:
- “It’s about Thyme”: Jardesca, Lemon and Thyme
- “Palm Springs Spritzer”: Jardesca, Grapefruit, Basil and Sparkling Spring Water
- “Las Palmas Cooler”: Jardesca, Cucumber and Mint
- “ciTRINA Spritz”: Blood orange, Kumquat, meyer lemon, key lime, tangerine, orange and grapefruit with Prosecco, mint and Jardesca
And, as if you needed one more reason to indulge, Morrison assures us that “Jardesca is all natural, beautifully refreshing and only 99 calories, perfect to enjoy in Trina Turk or Mr Turk swimwear, poolside!”
