Designer Trina Turk and Summer Chic practically go hand in hand. Trina’s signature bright prints are the epitome of the So Cal good life and Palm Springs glamour in particular. Now the designer, who is beloved by celebs like Taylor Swift and Eva Longoria, has teamed up with Banana Republic for the Banana Republic Trina Turk Collection. We featured the limited-edition line in a fashion show on Access Hollywood Live this morning, where I got an up close preview and let me tell you, this bright, fun collection equals instant happiness! I also got to meet Trina, who was nice enough to answer some questions about the collection.

How were the prints from the collection developed?
Banana Republic’s Creative Director, Simon Kneen, and I chose five iconic Trina Turk prints and re-imagined them for the Banana Republic Trina Turk capsule.

What is your best advice on how to break into prints for those of us that are print-adverse?
Don’t be afraid of prints! Take one piece and pair it with a solid for a more subdued look. For the Banana Republic Trina Turk collection, we pared the Pisces printed wren top with our solid sateen shorts for a look that’s polished and sophisticated, with a dash of printed fun mixed in.

How can we wear prints this summer?
Summer is an opportunity to lighten up and wear lots of color and prints. You can wear prints in so many ways this summer – on dresses, tops, shorts, even beach towels and bikinis – not necessarily all together though!

What is your poolside uniform for summer?
My poolside uniform always starts with a Trina Turk swimsuit. With a lightweight kaftan tunic, a wide brim hat and sunglasses I’m ready for the pool and the heat of summer. If we’re entertaining poolside, I never forget to accessorize with pendants, bracelets and metallic sandals. Summer styles should be sexy and confidently sophisticated, but not fussy.

How did this Banana Republic collaboration come about? And what the inspiration behind it?
One of the reasons that Banana Republic approached us about a collaboration is because we love print and color and they were looking for these qualities for their Summer collection. I am continuously inspired by Southern California, particularly the resort and poolside lifestyle of the desert, so Banana Republic’s Creative Director, Simon Kneen, and I decided early on that the Palm Springs ‘cocktails by the pool’ lifestyle would be our key inspiration for the colors, styles, and prints.

The Banana Republic Trina Turk Collection is available tomorrow in stores and online today at www.bananarepublic.com.