TALA Spotlights Fashion's Future
Los Angeles designer Trina Turk shared highlights from her career path with students from several local design schools at the 48th annual Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA) scholarship luncheon, held Nov. 17 at the California Market Center fashion theater.
Turk studied fashion design at the University of Washington in Seattle and worked for such well-known labels as Brittania, Ocean Pacific, Anne Cole, Weavers and B.U.M. Equipment before launching her own label in 1995.
“At each phase, I learned something I brought to the table when I started my own company,” she said, advising the students to learn the ropes of the apparel industry before launching their own companies.
“The business is not to be taken lightly. You have to have an idea of what you want to do and why the world needs it,” she said, before ending her talk on a light note.
“It’s a great industry, although it’s crazy—so be forewarned,” she said.
TALA passed out scholarships to students from American Intercontinental University, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Otis College of Art and Design and the West Valley Occupational Center.
West Valley Occupational Center graduate Maria Cecilia Linero was a double winner, taking home the first-place award for her school and receiving the Betty Baumgardner Award, a scholarship named in honor of longtime patternmaker Betty Baumgardner, who left a large portion of her estate to the TALA scholarship program.
Scholarship committee co-chair Carol Sachs thanked the students for participating in the scholarship program. “It’s our opportunity to give back and to see what the future of our industry is going to look like,” she said.
TALA President Hal Kaltman took a moment to remind the group about the upcoming TALA Christmas party for innercity children, which will be held Dec. 17 at the CMC. The event will mark the 60th consecutive year TALA has hosted the party for local children.
Kaltman also took the opportunity to publicly congratulate fellow member Terrence Chermak, who was getting married the day after the luncheon. —Alison A. Nieder
