Rebecca Mader

Rebecca came to my showroom to try on some dresses for her new life -running around Hawaii starring in LOST. Extra! caught it all on tape. She's fantastic, and I love her. The real issue I'd like to point out is when asked to be on TV with a beautiful actress keep in mind you will be on TV standing next to said beautiful actress...

Quilting with Plaid.

This is from my friend Dawn.

Your dress wasn't seen at a design showroom, an upscale boutique, or a glitzy party this time, but in an outdated old-school church filled with Quilting Ladies. However, the Quilting Ladies (as I have dubbed them) are critical, opinionated and oh-so particular about sewing in any fashion.

I borrowed one of your dresses to wear to my dear Papa's memorial service. Yeah I know. I wish I had some fun party to go to, but it had a purpose. You see, my Papa and I had a long-standing inside joke about clean pants. He always changed into his best pants when I came over and carefully inspected my pants upon my arrival. There were big apologies to make if they were sub par. He also would lament about the day that I might wear a clean dress and then he just wouldn't be able to measure up. I'm not sure he ever did see me in a dress other than on my wedding day. :( So when it came to his service I couldn't just have any dress. It had to be special. And seeing that I only have old bridesmaid dresses in my closet, the hunt began... I tried on The Morrison (from April) and knew it was perfect. (Myles clinched the deal by stopping in his tracks and staring at me with his giant blue eyes and telling me I was beautiful...)

Little did I know what a stir it would cause! It began when I stepped out of the dressing room after changing. Some little Quilting Lady held me at arm's length, spun me around for a glance at the back, and uttered 'Hmph!" She let me pass.

At the end of the service a lady approached me. I could tell she had a mission and meant business. She said very sternly that my dress was not purchased at any old store. She and her Quilting Ladies had been discussing and analyzing it. (Can't you just see the group of old ladies plates full of jello salad and their hub-bub in the back of the outdated church hall???) She asked, with her tone laced with skepticism, if I had made it. My grandma is the Queen of the Quilting Ladies so it just might be possible that I was a prodigy... She was quick to respond to my answer that I hadn't made it, by describing to me how she knew I couldn't have because of how the pattern was matched in the back, the daring pleats, the lining and so forth. She went on and on and gathered a little audience. I probably had 5 conversations that day with a 'representative' from the Quilting Ladies.

I'm sure you are not really targeting the Quilting Ladies in your marketing, but thought you'd like to know you are now known, respected and passed their inspection!

Love,
Dawn


The pic was taken by her brother-in-law, Ryan.

Valentine's Courage.

I've decided being married it is my obligation to really sex it up for Valentine's Day. This year I'm going to wear possibly the sexiest dress I've made (outside of my wedding dress ((sans the tulle my dad made me add across the chest right before I walked out, but I digress))) anyhoo, the Nicole. It has the adjustable front with the oversized gold pin across the front so if I chicken out half way through the night I can just lock it up a bit. Keep an eye out for me, I'll be with the dashingly handsome man that's holding doors open for everyone! xoox

Market.

We are showing in NYC for the next few weeks. Contact vivian@tricotshowroom.com. For fall 08 we are debuting our first full collection, (meaning we're moving beyond only dresses).

I'm a lucky girl.

Not only does my husband do craft services for all my shoots, he's also second unit photographer, documentarian, and all around good natured man with skills. I gave him 2 minutes a look, (seriously) and every shot was beautiful. That's just how he rolls. So, JJ, I just wanted to say -thanks. xoxo

Blogger blog blog my dog.

I don't have a dog, but I like them. Not in my house necessarily but I like to visit them. For example sometimes I pick up my neighbors dog -George and take him for a walk. I've lived in Silverlake one year and one month and pretty much 2 out of 3 times I get a little lost. We live in the hills and I like to wander them -wandering with purpose, but I always get shot out by the lake. Maybe it has a magnetic force or something. Anyhoo, the truth is it's 6am and I remembered I left a rash blog here about picture uploading and I'm just replacing it. See Mom, sometimes I wake up early.

Stormy day dreams

It's storming in Los Angeles, just when our Spring collection's rolling in and to tell you the truth -I'm tired of it. I just want to be like Bugs Bunny and head to Palm Springs to sit around a pool in one of my crazy caftans and summons some of that old Hollywood glamour. I'd like to be served swanky little somethings from someone as handsome and sweet as my buddy Marco here. xoxo

Dressing.

I'm obviously thinking about dressing all the time. Not the salad kind, but the kind that when you have something new you can't wait to do it. The kind that when you've had too many Christmas cookies you dread it. The kind of dressing that occupies your mind days before you see an old friend. Like everyone else I want to wear the same skinny jeans and vince sweater everyday. But that's crazy! That kind of thinking will put me out of business! That kind of thinking leads to recessions, unshapely stretching and depression. So, I put on a dress. I invite change, I invite posture and (let's face it) I invite compliments. I love putting on a beautifully lined dress. It makes it fun to dress and it feels good. This is actually metaphorical because I am wearing skinny jeans and a Theory sweater. But I needed to work it out as I finish designing my fall.

Fall 08 Market

We've been getting inquiries at the studio about showing our Fall 08 in New York. If you'd like to book an appointment please contact our showroom Tricot! They would be happy to book a time to see the collection and the benefit about contacting them is that they will get back to you!

Tricot Showroom
860 S. Los Angeles
Suite 612
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Ph. 213.891.0663
213.891.0669 fax

vivian@tricotshowroom.com
press@tricotshowroom.com

When the paper turns blue.

Things I'm into this year. By Heidi Merrick.

Evening twilight greeted with white candles.
Fresh peas with mint.
Soccer boy haircuts.
Natural hair color, it's just so unattainable and therefore incredibly chic.
No wheat, no sweets. (just being honest)
Mixing gems. (Friends included)
Honesty.
Faith. He's brought us this far.
Talking about nothing with people I love.
Neighbors.

Things I'm carrying over.

Lawns, I still love lawns.
David Bowie with eye make-up.
Moroccan teapots.
Bougainvillea.
Generational surfing.
Counting the hours by church bell.
Korakia.
Lunch at Barneys.

Summer Market New York

We'll be showing our summer line in New York and Los Angeles starting tomorrow. If you'd like more info please email us at info@heidimerrick.com.
xoxo

Ode to Buddy on her Birfday.

Most people reach adulthood just remembering the days they giggled endlessly with their best friends or got banned from whispering bc everybody knew whatever they were talking about was dang good. But my adulthood has been captured by moments where Buddy throws her head back and immortalizes our lives with her laugh in that way only someone who has known you since t-ball can. My memories of childhood are peppered by frenetic impassioned pep talks -I'd dream and dream and tell my buddy how we were going achieve the impossible; parents feared me, normal kids backed away, but Buddy laughed. She laughed and said (with ennui, yes), "why wouldn't we"? And we have, haven't we buddy? The first time she came over to my house, I told her I fancied myself a photographer (we were 13) and she said, "yeah, I'm a model...." and that was our first photo shoot. This pic is a sweet one Buddy took from our most recent photo shoot (I'm not the model, I'm the one crouched beneath her). And in honor of Jenny Murray Hooks today, enter "iwantabuddy" at check out and you'll receive 25% off through the weekend. May I suggest: the Future Mrs. Hooks, Mrs. Hooks, the Jenny, the Fenny (yes, she's the editor of a big-time mag C (hello!), but shockingly dyslexic as a child or audaciously ennui -we still don't know). So, if you find yourself with a moment today please raise a glass of prosecco for my buddy, Jenny Murray Hooks and say to yourself "Everybody needs a buddy like Buddy!"

Hi-ya Saylor!

I almost forgot to remind everybody, Trunk Show at Saylor in Santa Monica! It is such a beautiful store and I'm incredibly honored to hang there. Please go and you can touch and feel the Spring 08 collection there, all my current stock is there as well and that might be the only place in the world you can get those dresses right now. xoxo P.S. I'll be there tomorrow (Friday) 2-4 if you'd like to make my acquaintance...

Holiday Hues.

Oh, the holiday season (I'm actually in the world where we still say Christmas, I'll restart).... Oh the Christmas season.... A time for reflection, a time with family and friends, a time to buy stuff for people, a time to ask your mom to buy stuff for you. A time when you think, I'm too old to be asking for things bc all I really want is that lawn put in and maybe the tiles redone in the bathroom, a little choppy choppy of the bum section if you follow me. But I digress, what I really want to say is how thankful I am for all God's given me. Especially this business of dresses, I'm really happy, really, really happy. So, I thought I'd take the next couple of blogs to share in some happy fashion moments. Please enjoy the following guest blogs. P.S. This pic doesn't necessarily have to do with this current blog, but it is green and that stands for Christmas!

Moi?

I don't try to act smart, I just come off that way sometimes. But then there are days like today, when delivering my goodbyes and thank yous over my shoulder I hit the doorway with a cupcake ( it became part of my collar ) that didn't come off as smart. Or when my dear friend Vivienne (she's French-Canadian) from Montreal sends me an article she's written (see above) I respond with and I'll quote, " Oh great I'll have my husband read this to me he espeake Spanish." And there you go.

Camouflaged Nostalgia

For all you who missed today's sample sale, we had a greeeeat time! There was this lovely dark haired girl, I believe her name was Renee Le Fleur -or at least that's what they told me you never know I'm very gullible when I'm tired. Anyhoo, she bought my last Camo Rosanna to wear to pick up her boyfriend who's in the army. They'll both be in camouflage... I think it's dang cute. He's a jumper, I don't know what that is but it sounds gnarly.
oxox

This too my friends.

There is also this. If you can't make it downtown, I'll be on 3rd street.
6-10pm Thursday night, (tomorrow!)
THERE WILL BE SNACKS!!!!
SNACKS!
xoxo

SAMPLE SALE!!!!!

Everybody, Tricot (my showroom) is having a holiday sample sale. Here's the facts:
Thursday 12/6 and Friday 12/7
860 S. Los Angeles Street
Suite 612
Los Angeles, CA 90014
I don't know, like 10-5 or something?

Come, my dresses are 2 prices $50 and $125
xoxo

Costume International!

Did anyone see Marc Jacob's invitations to his annual costume ball???? If you happened to not receive an invite I'll just tell you the theme is Arabian Nights!!?!? Now, let's not kid ourselves -I'm not so insider -I just read Vogue! But Arabian Nights! Coincidence? I'm not sure. Since my annual Costume ball is October 1st, I think the theme may now come off as past season but I'll give it to him, my theme was more Rock the Casbah and the Bedouins Can Dance... And isn't that fashion, everyone kind of dances around the same tree until some gets killed by a coconut and then we move on? I'm just wondering, this is just off the top of my head, but will he soon be having Turkey Curry Holiday Sing A-Longs?
xoox

Family matters.

Well, I'm looking a little rough (to borrow a word from my sister in law -Courtney) in this shot, but I can get over my personal issues to show you how sweet we are as a family. It's a very personal moment in a very public event, but this is my mom, my dad and me at the opening of the the new Channel Islands and Burton store on Melrose. It was a very big party but I didn't stay for the shenanigans, just my dads interviews et al. But the store is amazing, the boards look beautiful and it was a good representation of the world my folks created -the little surf shop I grew up in. I am very proud of them.

p.s. Dear man who took this photo and published it in Transworld, you said it was for your Christmas cards. Was that your Christmas card?

Spring Raine.

Okay Friends, here is the situation. I'm trying not to cut extra pieces for the spring o8 collection so I'm giving my regular shoppers this option: Email me with a request for the lookbook, and I will send you the digital lookbook so you can peruse and place a tentative pre-order. How does that sound? Let me temp you with this style -the Raine, named after my excellent young intern who for some reason has the name on her license plate???

Greetings from the Maharishi!

Everyone should be a wee bit envious because we're staying at the Christiana in Vail.... But I'm not here to rub it in, I just want to express that I am having a raging good time. We just got out of the heated-like-a-jacuzzi-pool and are headed to a very swish French resturant- Left Bank. Anyhoo... My point is just to see if Mikey Johnston (my brother in law) is reading my blog. And well, if he is -I'd like him to know that 'toile is the new plaid' and 1600 dollar jackets live forever... oxxoxo
ps. The maharishi pic is just for your enjoyment!

Fur sure.

Don't try to find me this holiday bc JJ and I are hiding out in Vail, and it's SNOWING!!!! So, because I don't really make weather ready clothes (I'm talking real weather) we're on our way to borrow a vintage lynx from my mother in law.... Happy Thanksgiving everybody! xoxo

Read em and reap...

I had lunch today with Turya Nations (of Guy Baxter fame). We discussed the finer points of developing a collection and well honestly the pain and promise of running a business. ...And that's what I'm doing here, running a business. So here's my sweet little offer for your Thanksgiving pleasure. You write in "iamblogreader" at checkout and you will get 10% off your purchase this week only! Even you Ms. Hong, this is an authorized discount and I'd love for you to get some Holiday in your wardrobe! Now my personal suggested choice for the Christmas parties (and I am the designer..) is the Scarlette. It is unexpectedly one of my more forgiving pieces, you can have eggnog and look smashing! xoxox Heidi

Let's get personal.

Here's the deal. If you are my friend and want something from my collection and you are hoping when they come out there will be one left for you- well that's the problem right now. If you consider yourself a regular customer of mine -say there is a dress named after you or you happen to own some first seasons, I want to encourage you to write a personal order. What does that mean? It means you request a lookbook, and I send you one. You look through said book and you decide you want one. Then you let me know and we right it down and I make it for you in your size. Okay. So, here is a little pic of the Janie in our spring. It also comes in camel and mushroom. xoxoxo

Did you all see that back page of Lucky? For all you non-LA people, I will post it here. xoxo And yes, I love my Daddy.

Oh buddy...

Dear Jenny,
You never read my blog. If you continue to not read my blog, I'll continue to break out the archives of photos.... They go back to t-ball you know. And I just know every one's hoping to catch a sweet glimpse of the pre-teen years. Oh yes, I have them too! La belle anyone? I know, I know you're a serious editor and spend the day in freelance-writer-facilitating hell. But you don't have to facilitate here, just a quick readie readie -that's all I ask. (Maybe a few punctuation notes would be nice though.)
xoxo Heidi

Seeing is believing.

Yesterday I went shopping in Santa Barbara with my mom -a very rare occurrence. And just as we were leaving the Nordstrom's 1/2 yearly sale, something magic happened! I had my first someone-wearing-my-design siting! I'd love to say that I didn't get teary eyed and grip my mom's arm, but that would be untrue. I was less than cavalier, but it was very special to me and I'm very glad my mom was there to see it. (I must admit I have a sneaking suspicion she worked at Wendy Foster.) Even so, I finally saw it and the moment happened.

My Ivy-League Husband.

This is my husband as interpreted by Brian Covalt this morning. They spend their am's studying the bible at the Casbah here in Silverlake. I think Brian and his wife Katie might be two of the coolest people I've met this year. Check out his website, it's close to genius. briancovalt.com
xoxo

People, people who need people.

Human Resources. Such a gross term. Makes people sound like robots, or piece goods. Anyhoo, I'm interviewing people. Lots of people, so if you have skills you can email your resume to heidi@heidimerrick.com. Then you can look busy and carry a briefcase and run around downtown in ridiculous heels like the rest of us. oxo

Here's to you Mrs. Robertson.

My day was pretty much in shambles til I went to meet the Luxiators (Jenny Murray Hooks, Brad, JJ and me) for sushi just off Robertson.... Where I saw my "Kate" dress in the window of Lisa Kline. I had no idea we'd sold to the Robertson store! It was a delightful surprise! They also have the Mrs. Hooks-in-kelly-green everyone keeps pressuring me about. So you can get it there! And stop pressuring me about it. xoxo

Disposable Income.

I have an issue with trendy people, this isn't news to anyone. I've plenty of trendy friends and they find my disapproval humorous. What's not funny though is continuing to buy clothes that only last a few washes. Do the math -you are throwing away your money. There are things that are intended to be disposable -sandwich bags, eyeshadow, x-boyfriends for example. Not friends and not clothes. I've a closet full of my mother's and grandmother's even my dear friend Jen Smith's old treasures. And I treasure them... Sometimes a garment hasn't reached it's full potential until it's second owner. I can't wait to see my niece Daisy don one of my dresses, my heart bursts even thinking about it.
oxox Heidi

GI Janie

This is the Janie in army, I didn't offer it for fall bc I didn't have enough of this charming army-blanket wool. But I cut one size run and you can only buy it on my website. And you can only see it here, secretly...

the Gypsy.

This is my LOVELY friend Sierra, who was sweet enough to do our Spring 08 campaigne. She's as beautiful inside as she is out and that makes the pictures mean so much more to me. She had our buddy Marco wrapped around her finger and was about to take him for all he's worth with her gypsy card playing ways, until we finally convinced her to start modeling the dress.

My mom my Nonnie and my Grammy.

Who ever made that shade of green beautiful? My Nonnie. But more importantly how lovely is my mom so glamorously wrapped in her shawl -blond hair blowing. I hope somewhere between these two women, with a little of the tailoring and tradition of my Scottish grandma, lies my style.

a Spring teaser.

This is the Nonnie from my Spring 08'. I don't pull these thing out of thin air you know, but the day I finished these samples my mom sent me that charming pic of my Nonnie live in action at one of my Uncle Bruce's weddings. Enjoy.

By some crazy twist of fate we are doing the design suites at smashbox. Here is an invite to the opening party. Rsvp and come see me! xox Heidi

Did you see?

Okay, we are crazy shipping and making dresses. But we don't want you to miss out on our little mention in Lucky! They liked the Tait, we like the Tait. We want you to buy and own and wear the Tait!

Women Who Work

We were sold out of this dress even before they came in, but I just want you to know this is what I really look like coming home from work! xoxo Heidi