John Whitledge

John Whitledge is the Founder and Creative Director of Trovata, an award-winning lifestyle brand centered on art, travel, and education found in the finest boutiques and specialty stores across the globe today.

Whitledge started his business as a venture that would allow him to surf and travel the world. Without formal design training, Whitledge developed Trovata’s first capsule collection of vintage inspired menswear that was quickly picked up by Barney’s New York and a handful of exclusive specialty stores. Shipping out of his Claremont McKenna dormitory in 2002, the company was established.

The brand has been awarded the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for menswear, the Council of Fashion Designers of America/VOGUE Fashion Fund Award and the CFDA’s Swarovski Perry Ellis award. Whitledge is a member of the prestigious CFDA. Based out of Newport Beach, California, Trovata opened its first retail venture in August 2007 and the collection is also sold in over 150 specialty stores worldwide. Whitledge has collaborated on projects with Vans, Coach, and most recently The Staying Alive Foundation (the MTV non for profit organization that funds HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and prevention).