Fashion Week El Paseo 2011 — Trina Turk "Palm Springs Eternal"

Trina Turk has certainly made something of herself since launching her namesake company 15 years ago. What started as a ready-to-wear women’s line of poppy, printed, retro-infused pieces has morphed into a full-on lifestyle brand that now includes home décor, swimwear, fabrics, menswear and accessories. She has seven namesake boutiques. And this past September, Turk made it to the big dance of style: New York Fashion Week, where she showed vignettes featuring her spring 2011 collection of Palm Springs-inspired wares for the very first time.

And Friday night — the sixth evening of Fashion Week El Paseo — Turk again presented her Palm Springs Eternal collection in a runway show fit for Manhattan.

This time, in addition to the calf-length accordion skirts, psychedelic-printed maxi dresses and abstract madras shirtdresses from spring, Turk added summer merchandise to the mix. And wine-drinking ticket holders vociferously approved of the kaleidoscope-printed, boy short swimwear from Mr. Turk, her menswear line, as well as longer, nylon trunks with abstract and vintage botanical designs that weren’t quite as tight.

Crowd-pleasing summer stock also included a selection of men’s jackets that channeled Turk’s version of animal prints; a pair of green and navy men’s shorts in a 1960s-esque pattern fit for Marimekko; and a long, flowing fishnet swim cover-up that could easily be worn away from the pool.

While each of Turk’s meticulously put-together, retro-tinged ensembles made us want to go home, slip into a shift dress, and sip a Tom Collins from a vintage high-ball glass, it was her swimwear that really made an impact.

Turk’s colorfully quirky prints — which also comprise a fabric line for Schumacher — translate perfectly onto bandeau bikinis, chic one-pieces and high-waist retro bottoms. Friday night’s show styling proved how poolside should be done. 

Huge, floppy hats, black and white fringed shawls, printed oversized totes, and jewelry inspired by vintage bakelite and copper pieces were all shown with bathing suits, confirming that standard flip flops and T-shirts have no place by a Palm Springs pool.

It seemed attendees agreed, with a sea of Turk shopping bags hanging on the arms of guests walking out of the designer’s in-tent pop-up-shop last night.

“This is my escape,” Turk said of the desert during a luncheon for Fashion Week El Paseo “diva” ticket holders at her home last Saturday. 

And yesterday, for at least 25 minutes, Turk was ours.