Q-and-A With Fashion Designer Trina Turk | Princeville

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The Patterns of Kauai

Fashion designer Trina Turk shares her love of the islands, her inspiration and details of her custom cabana for The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

By Alli Tong

Nestled between The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s infinity pool and beachfront is Los Angeles-based fashion mogul Trina Turk’s Designer Cabana, which made its debut earlier this year. Known for her lively California-style patterns, Turk brings her signature prints and knack for color to resort guests who are looking for a true bespoke beachside experience. Not only does the cabana feature patterns from her Schumacher Indoor/Outdoor fabric collection, it also holds iPads pre-loaded with Turk’s favorite apps, games and reads. Bespoke Magazine chats with Turk to learn more about the inspiration behind her cabana, her love of the islands, and why she chose to collaborate with The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Q. How long have you been coming to the Hawaiian Islands?

A. My first trip to Hawaii was in the ’90s, but my recent trip was my first visit to Kauai.

Q. What’s unique about Kauai, from your point of view?

A. Kauai seemed less developed, and I loved how green it was, especially coming from Los Angeles. The landscape and vistas are spectacular.

Q. How does the Kauai experience differ from the California experience (where many of your stores are located)?

A. Kauai was more laid-back and relaxed—  but that was also because it wasn’t a work trip!

 Q. Tell us about a couple of your favorite things to do when you’re in Kauai.

A. There are so many incredible things to do in Kauai, especially outdoor activities! The gorgeous island holds a variety of different types of landscapes—sea, mountains and beach—which lend to a wide-range of outdoor activities. I personally love to hike and do standup paddleboarding (SUP) while I’m here. I actually learned on my trip in May that pro-surfer Laird Hamilton, who also lives on the island, actually started the SUP trend on Kauai; and clearly, it has spread like wildfire around the world.

Q.  What here inspires you?

A. I’m constantly in awe of the vibrant colors and the incredible beauty of nature. The turquoise oceans, the green landscape and the fiery, orange-and-pink sunsets are all so unique and magnificent. The beautiful spirits of the locals also inspire me as well.

Q.  Of all luxury resorts in all sorts of beautiful places, why did you decide to collaborate with The St. Regis Princeville Resort?

A. I started my residential line and home goods lines in 2008. The opportunity to design a beachside cabana for The St. Regis Princeville Resort using my Schumacher printed fabric collection seemed like a great fit. It was the perfect opportunity for me to mix the patterns and reflect the gorgeous colors of Kauai within an elegant resort that, like the Trina Turk brand, shares an appreciation for luxury and chic-resort style.

 Q.  What does the Trina Turk cabana experience offer guests that’s distinctive?

A. There are quite a few things that make the Trina Turk Designer Cabana experience very distinctive. First of all, the cabana is the only cabana at the resort—and in the entire world— that showcases the colorful designs from my Schumacher Indoor/Outdoor fabrics line. The location of the cabana is also incredible: Guests have a chance to enjoy the absolutely stunning views of Hanalei Bay right next to the beach, while at the same time being able to lounge next to the gorgeous infinity pool. An iPad with my favorite games, apps and summer reads are available inside the cabana, too. Right now, I’m loving classics by Somerset Maugham and Dawn Powell. Guests can also enjoy romantic dinners inside the cabana. Dinners in the cabana are perfect during those awe-inspiring Hawaiian sunsets.

Q.  What are four words you would use to describe your custom cabana?

A.  Colorful, chic, luxurious and optimistic.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming lines for fall/winter?

A. We have several fall deliveries, and our themes include:

Modernist Maverick: bold and graphic colors and patterns inspired by artist and textile designer Sonia Delaunay.

Hollywood Heroines: ladylike classics updated with a nod to Hitchcock leading ladies—such as Kim Novak, Tippi Hedren and Grace Kelly.

English Eccentrics: vibrant twists and classic British patterns and fabrics—like paisleys, tartan plaids, tweeds and foulards— inspired by “The Royal Tenenbaums,” the House of Windsor and the duchess of Cambridge.

Winter Luxe: soft, sexy styles accented with super-bright pinks and oranges to brighten up your winter wardrobe. A smattering of sequins or shimmer, and signature prints grounded by black and nude, provide a sophisticated approach to holiday party dressing.