Sunday, November 23, 2008

Oh, Alhambra!


It was on a recent Friday off from the library that I ventured to the little city of Alhambra to visit the Trina Turk Outlet Store, which also doubles as the company's design and production headquarters.

Trina Turk's website will tell you that the store's location is fittingly "minutes from Downtown Los Angeles," but I have my own reasons for waxing poetic about this San Gabriel Valley town: you see, my mother grew-up in Alhambra, and it was there that she was well-taught the art of garment-making in Ms. Kaboda's Home Economics class. (Alhambra is turning-out to be the fashion capitol that you never knew.) Furthermore, it's fantastic that Trina Turk chooses to fabricate her designs here, rather than outsourcing the work overseas.

The Trina Turk Outlet Store is located in the industrial area of Alhambra, so you can't tell much from the building's boxy gray exterior. But, once inside, a showroom displaying colorful and coordinated clothes greets you. There also are some distinctive accessory pieces--chunky wood bracelets and a newsboy cap in Dutch blue cotton, when I was there--which caught my eye.

Adjacent to the showroom is an area of racks full of clothes offered at even more reasonable prices. It's a very authentic experience, and men aren't allowed in this section for the women customers trying on different things. And, if you peer over a movable wall partitioning this section of the warehouse from the rest, you can see workers cutting dress pieces from fabric.

If you like the optimistic Los Angeles style of Trina Turk, you really should go.

Trina Turk Outlet Store
3025 West Mission Road
Alhambra, California 91803
(Entrance and parking in the back)

626-548-7768 ext. 25

Open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, noon to 6 p.m.
Also open the second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3 comments:

Amber said...

I have not been there yet, but I am sure I will sometime.

grannybabs said...

My husband's office and shop was in Alhambra for over 40 years - he has certainly watched the town change over the years (his dad was there before him - like since 1947!)

Looks intriguing - we will have to check it out - thanks for the heads up!

Lauren said...

I had no idea you were such a fashionista! Though I shouldn't be surprised--I think the first thing I noticed about you was your unique style, way back in our Restoration Theater class if I'm not mistaken. I'm so glad I found your blog. :)