Carushka Jarecka

Carushka Jarecka, founder of Carushka body wear, passed December 2, 2013. She was 60 years old. Born and raised in North Hollywood, California she is acclaimed for inventing body wear. Her seductive, sporty and alluring designs made her the forerunner in the clothing industry. She seemed destined to follow this path from the beginning of her life. At age two, she began cutting up her mother's curtains and clothing to create designs. Rather than being scolded, she was encouraged. From this simple start, she went on to formal study at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. Thereafter, she worked for David Brown, designing lounge wear, and then for Tori Richards in Hawaii, winning awards for her designs. She was distressed that the credit for her work was going to her employers, so she returned to Southern California and began living with her sister, Dania (now Dania Molthen), who introduced Carushka to the world of dance. Captivated, Carushka began designing ballet outfits. But these dancers often are struggling artists, so they did not make for a very good sales market. Dania tried to sell Carushka's designs at Dania's gym, and one woman commented that "if the clothing were a cotton stretch leotard, I would buy it!" That simple comment sent Carushka down the path that led to her success; one month later the woman received her special order. Athletic trainers came to love Carushka's designs, in fact one of them quit her job as a trainer and later became Carushka's best sales person. It's now been 35 years since Carushka Bodywear was established, which has served celebrities and everyday people alike. The women in Jane Fonda's acclaimed workout video wear Carushka's designs. In 1983 John Travolta had her design his own line called Travoltawear, which was a great success. Since Carushka was the only designer on both lines, never having 20 designers under her like other designers do, she had to let his line go otherwise it would be still running to this day. Carushka will be missed by her sister, Dania and brother-in-law, Michael, her niece, Danuta Tangalos, and so many friends and admirers. Services will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 10830 Moorpark Street, North Hollywood. Please email: danmolth@aol.com for date and time.