W Cover

Did anyone see the W cover? Wasn't the model almost as cute but really not as cute our Fall 09 model Amanda? Amanda's lovely. Two weeks til the Fall 09 collection is shop-able for you...

Sweet email.

Dear Heidi,

I picked up your Isak at the emergency sample sale and I want you to know that it is THE MOST spectacular dress! From the lady-like bateau neckline to the deep U-shaped back, the design, silhouette, and cut are perfect. Honestly, the dress is much lovelier in person; it has a beautiful flow and movement which, unfortunately, the photos cannot capture---I wore it to dinner last night and received so many compliments!

Warmest,

Donna

It's our Emergency Sample Sale

We were crazy to leave only 3 hours for THE EMERGENCY PHONE SAMPLE SALE with Hilary manning both phone and floor... It was an overwhelming response and she rocked it -but we realize many of you couldn't get through... So today, for 6 hours only (10am-4pm PST) we will continue to take PHONE SAMPLE SALE orders. If you don't get through try, try again!
oxox
323.717.2153

Phone in!

I just talked to Hilary on the phone, she is manning the sample sale. She said she'd take orders over the phone if you call in now. Sample sale ends at 3pm today! 323. 717. 2153 Some of these dresses you can't buy on the web and some you can -but all sample sale prices!

Sample Sale

Friends aren't hard to come by, but great ones are... And my dear friend Turya (of Guy Baxter fame) is hosting a sample sale in her neighboring studio. We are delighted to participate! Not only will we offer a selection of Heidi Merrick hand-sewn-one-of-a-kind wonky samples but also styles from Spring 09 and ones you've never seen and we've never sold online. I'm guessing Guy Baxter will have some of their sweet styles that I wear all the time. One of which I've worn into holes, so, get there before me because mine needs replacing!
oxox

Friday, July 10th 10 am-5pm
Saturday, July 11th 10am-3pm

117 W 9th Street Suite 201
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Designers are Heidi Merrick, Guy Baxter, Myne and Wren.

O Nature....

I'm headed to the river to go flyfishin' and I am so happy in my heart. This is where my collection always comes together for me. Where I always feel most myself. My absolute peace. I'll let you know about any moose sightings.

Jamie Lynn Sigler!

Here's what's exciting... Isn't it true that as your birthday approaches you keep imagining your party and most importantly what you'll be wearing to said party? I do this so much so, that all my parties are costume. Every year I know where I'm headed and make everyone else come along for the ride. They love it. But what's super cool is that a girl like Jamie Lynn Sigler maybe imagined herself in our dress! And then she wore it, and looked like this -just smokin'. It's the Swami dress with the Obi belt. One of my favorites.



ps. Hilary pulled this pic from the Insider.

Summer reads?

My husband just emailed me asking if he could pick up a book for me to read while luxuriating. Luxury. So, what? It's hard to name a book, because if it's on your mind you've already read it. Any suggestions? For real?
xoxo

Vacation wear.

Well, my friends, I'm going on vacation. And my mind is already packed -along with it is this dress. Now, you can picture me wandering around with nothing to do but look lovely and eat papayas. I thought, as I packed in my mind, I'd offer some travel tips.
1. I never pack a garment I haven't worn in the last 6 months. It's seriously a temptation but believe me you should just pass on what you haven't worn -your not going to put it on in a strange place.
2. I do, however, pack lots of costume jewelry. If you know me, I don't play this game at home -how gauche. But in the tropics? -Tres chic!
3. Kaftans, this is your staple. Wear Kaftans!
ox

Rose...

Talk about sunshine, we have a new summer intern and she's in high school! She's so cute, she rolled in this morning in these little charmers. Everyone should have a high school intern -it brings great joy to a studio!

Oh my weather.

What started as a serious downer, I feel, has turned romantic -so I'm not going to complain about the summer rain in Los Angeles. I think it's lovely. Anyhoo, we are trucking away in the studio and well on our way with fall items (great, I can wear them in the rain). We are sending out some sweet sales to our email lists, so if you want to be included you can sign up on our front page, and I promise it will brighten up your summer!
xo

Forgot my cell phone.

Oh it's an experiment of self control, and entire day at work with out my cell phone... Quelle tragedy for me. So, dear personal friends, husband, mom, dad, bro, if you need to get a hold of me -call me at the studio. Or come by the studio, see what I do. Watch me make patterns and instinctively reach over to check the time on my phone, but really only see my new email messages. xoox

Ellie

Naturally, when I'm designing I imagine my pieces in fantastic places doing glamourous things... And I consider my imagination one of my greatest strengths. It's romantic, it's earthy and it loves adventure. Then there's this picture of Ellie, my friend (and one of my biggest customers.) This is how she rocks her Heidi Merrick Obi belt, on horseback riding through the wine country. Makes me proud.
xoox

Here comes the sun...

It's Wednesday, but all I can think of is next Monday. Memorial Day. It really intiates summer. I treat it like a Groundhog Day- however my patio dining goes and my bikini body looks, well, that's it for summer. There's really no cheating it either. The day you take off on Monday, well that's pretty much you summer vacation. We aren't in grade school anymore.

Oh Summer.

We are deep on the brink of summer and I wouldn't be kind if I didn't remind you to start now! Start eating dinner on your patio. Start going to bed when it's still twilight and wake up early to garden before work. Start putting on your bikini bottoms the moment you get home from work. Spend an evening watching the light change around your house. Start prepping your wardrobe for rolling days of summer. oxxo

Thinking of you, Mom.

I just got Refinery 29's most fashionable moms email and it made me think...
My mom is so much more than fashionable, oh goodness, she's fashionable! But her style goes so far beyond fashion. She was the mom who used to tell me animals waved at me when I was never looking! I remember late at night in my pj's her holding fabrics up to measure my little shoulders, and in the morning -there'd be a dress. I remember the way she looked at my dad, and the way they danced. I remember thinking she was the most elegant woman in the world. I grew up to realize that that this was true. But it wasn't because of the way she dressed (although to this day she is always impeccably dressed, hello!). It is the way she loves. Fiercely and with incredible loyalty. She loved us enough to let us fail and learn to stand ourselves up. She loved us enough to tell us when she didn't approve. And she loved us enough to stand back, with tears in her eyes, giving us all the credit for what we know she prayed into our lives. xoxo


ps. This is my niece in the pic, not me. Some would say by our look and humor, "whatever same thing."

These people I don't have to ask.

But if you want me to publish your picture I will. xoox Heidi

JJ

We had a studio soiree. Here is my husband. He loves cameras. xo

We don't mess around.

We actually work most days... Yesterday we really worked. Today, Hilary is reading blog comments out loud and we're teasing Meghann about her virtual fame... But yesterday we shot the Blixen in our African paisley (shown here), hired a high school intern (fun), and basically stayed in communication til midnight until we finished the day's shenanigans. What I want to know from you, reader, is can we get some strange ecstatic comments on our home blog? Beautiful! Fantastic... Feminine, mmm. Stuff like that. We love to give Hilary fodder.

Spring dressing.

Transitioning seasons isn't easy. I guess it's true, Spring comes in like a lion... I tried to find a black cotton blazer I know I have somewhere in my closet and it just didn't exist. Instead I've black moire lined in charmeuse, black wools and black poplins, and even black fur. (As seen in this charming pic from last week in nyc. Note: I've one pose and I'm not embarrassed.) Today, it's 90 degrees in downtown LA and I still have on black pants -(from fall need to perfect fits so it is considered work).

Kelly is so cute.

Here's a tiny tiny pic of Kelly Rutherford in the teal Swami. Now the amazing thing is:
a.) It's Kelly Rutherford and she's beautiful.
b.) Her character on GG is from Montecito, so they are practically writing her to be my friend.
(And hello, the spin-off! Call me for story lines it was a very specific upbringing.)
c.) I made only seven of these dresses, and now I can name everyone who has one. Bidou, Razzy, Rani, Jessica, Melinda, me and Kelly.

Holy Week

This is my most favorite week of the year, by far. I'd like to make it your favorite week too! So, for those on our mailing list we are sending our a little cyber gift to help prep you for your Easter egg hunt, or Sadar which ever it is... Email info@heidimerrick if and request to be on our mailing list!

Special Requests.

Is there a size or dress you want but we don't have on the website? For example here is our bikini, which I've been hoarding for myself and not putting on the website. Why? Because I go through bikinis. I'll make more, I'm cool with it -just request one. Email us and we'll gladly try to locate some sizes for you... Email sales@heidimerrick.com.
xoox

Dear Katee Sackhoff,

Hi Katee,
You probably don't know me. (I say probably bc maybe you happened to see me in the LA times the same week Boomer was in -the article did note I was a BSG fan)??? Anyhoo, I'm familiar with you, as Starbuck, and I thought it'd be worth mentioning... I'm a designer and your an actress, so it seems like a great opportunity for friendship.
Things we have in common:
You work a lot -I work a lot.
You work in Canada -I sell to stores (or store) in Canada.
You're finished with Battlestar, I just finished Fall 09.
You kick butt, and well you get it.
But if you'd like to contact me, email me! Maybe you could wear some of my dresses around, or you could come over for a bbq, or we could go surfing or dirt biking sometime. Let me know!
xoxo Heidi

The New Face of Heidi Merrick.

If this were a contest and we were really looking for the new "face of Heidi Merrick" it'd be a done deal. No one's cuter than this. This is just one in a series too. But really, why don't you send me pictures of yourself in your Heidi Merrick's. We'd love to see them. Send to: heidimerrick@heidimerrick

Revolve.

I want to encourage you to shop Heidi Merrick on Revolve! It launched today! They have an amazing return policy and free shipping.... xoxo
www.revolveclothing.com

Made in the USA

Someone emailed asking if our collection was made in the USA. Of course it is! Have I not made myself clear? Do you know anything about me? How could I be who I am while making things over-seas? Though I love the term "over seas", romantic -I hate the idea in terms of production. I believe in this country! It's given me and my family great opportunity. I love working with people, I love working with hard working people. So yes, everything is made in the USA! Not just that, but made in LOS ANGELES and not just that, but made within walking distance of my studio! What part of, hands on - a wee bit of a control freak-make my own patterns-love certain stitches - didn't I communicate?

Hatton Pant.

I'm wearing the Hatton pant today -hooray you say. I want to pass on some details to my customers so you can shop with knowledge. Linen has a gradual stretch. It's slow coming but it does not recover. Only after washing. I'm saying this because unless you want a dumpy bum you should buy them so they're very fitted in this area. I've sized them appropriately. When you try on a 4 and you are indeed a 4 it should be tight in you bum and thighs. When you move and stretch through out the day you'll end up looking good. Not dumpy. Not that I'm not down with dumpy pants. They're cool, especially if you're Euro.

Obi Belt

I love to tell people how to dress, obviously. Especially for their bodies, so if you don't want help with your silhouette don't read on. The obi belt is small -ish, meant to be worn on your true waist. Above your belly button, people love to argue it, oh I don't have time for that. Watch some old Liz Taylor movies, see her hold her waist in even in a bathing suit -lovely. Please don't push it down trying to cover some feeling you have of a pouch, it just looks worse. Believe me.

Tailored pockets.

Recently a customer emailed regarding her recently purchased blazer pockets. She was wondering why they were "fake" pockets unlike the ones in the pictures. Oh, it makes me sad that someone even for a moment would think I'd fake pockets. I love pockets! I like to put special colors in them or hide in them beautiful details that are just for the wearer. Hello? It's practically a signature of mine, an outrageous lining color and an understated dress... But my point is, sometimes a tailored pocket comes gently sewn shut for the owner to open at his or her own time. Just poke a finger in find the stitch and pull or trim, it should come right out. oxxo

Spring yippee!

Sometimes it's hard for me to control myself and not tell everyone else how to dress. I don't want us all to dress the same. Mais non! I just want people to step into their look. For example my friend -just kidding, I'm not calling anyone out on my blog. But I will say, I love when a look clicks. It resonates with your lifestyle and you look relaxed and put together at the same time. This is a look from my Fall 09, it clicks for me.

Daily Candy

Do you get it??? Because if you do, there might be a sweet little treat from "Heidi Merrick" in the deals section. You should sign up!!!! xoxo
p.s. I only refer to myself in quotes if it means the company as a whole. We need a little separation, yes?

Pretty dress.

Sometimes I just want to show you the back view and give you some details of dresses I'm into right now... This is the Natalie in blood orange. It's named after one of the sweetest, kindest, most well-mannered little girls in the world who actually wants to grow up to be a fashion designer. I want to grow up to be as sweet as Natalie. The dress is on sale in the shopping cart now and my cousin just bought one to wear around Barcelona -very chic. It's shown here with the belt we wear with everything, the Obi. Thought I'd let you in.

Finishing touches.

Here's a pic of Jessica Holmes in the dress, that I did finish on time. I'm also adding a link to the news clip!

Watch us on the news!

Tomorrow, (Friday) on KTLA's Morning show you can see the beginnings of the Oscar dress I'm making for Jessica Holmes -the beautiful and charming blond who's working the red carpet for the channel. It's sort of a goal of mine never to be photographed with supermodels (because I look dwarfish) or TV personalities (because I become a giant). Needless to say, I'll be the giant tomorrow but hopefully not too crazy a one. Fingers crossed! But we are hand stitching on details now and the dress won't be revealed until the Oscar pre-show, which now I suggest you watch on KTLA because they'll show me trying to make the dress in time. If I do make the dress in time...
P.S. It will be on in the 9 o'clock hour!

Up and running!

People, we are up and running on the website.... Please shop and shop and call us if you need any help, we'd be happy to help you now that we're back in business! xoxo

Little glitch...

We've had a wee little glitch in our shopping cart system and had to resort to taking orders by phone. If you've been madly trying to purchase and it hasn't worked -call Hilary and she'll happily take care of you. 323-717-2153 Our customers have been so sweet, and we know how quickly sizes go -so we sympathize and thank you for your patronage! oxoxox

Model Casting...

Aside from draping, cutting and sewing our last 10-ish samples for next Fall, we are hosting go sees for our shoot on Saturday. Oh it's crazy in the studio! If you are my friend and a super model and I forgot about you and you want me to remember you for this shoot, email me. My mind is running in a million directions right now and I can always use help!

Fantastical.

My husband JJ, loves to say how beautiful this model was in our show. "She's my favorite! She's so you!" he likes to say. Which is why I love him so much... If you were to see me and this model in the same room you wouldn't even think we were the same species. That's just a fact, me, you and any model in the same room -we'd all have some questions. But what's wonderful about fashion is it communicates what's fantastic to me, subtly to you. And it's lovely... to see your most fantastical notions become realities in the worlds of those you love.

Spring means New!

Today we are doing our full Spring launch on the website. The styles available now are not yet in stores and some of our personal favorites that we couldn't wait to wear! We've done some refreshing on the website, I hope you love it!
xoxo Heidi

Happy Birthday Hilary!

Saturday is Hilary-who-runs-the studio's birthday! I'm going to offer 20% off to anyone who wishes her Happy Birthday through the weekend! code is "happyhilary"
xoxo

Mountain dreams.

I had to share this picture with you, it's just so lovely. One of our favorite stores, The Gallery, in Aspen just sent us this editorial from Aspen Peak. You can't see the credits in this pic but it's our Marisa blouse, and how I dreamed to see our Marisa blouse. Isn't it the kind of girl we dream we are, styled out on a horse wandering through the mountains in Colorado.

Bringing back the mail.

Sometimes we send little previews to our favorite customers. And sometimes those previews include little discount codes for the website. So, if you'd like to be included in out next mailer send your snail mail address to info@heidimerrick.com and we will swiftly get something out to you!
xoxo

Flying South.

We all know the economy is in shambles. But are you really canceling ALL your travel plans? Maybe you downsize; Palm Springs instead of Morocco, Sayulita replaces the Maldives. But whatever we still need a little winter sun. And what to wear when you get there? Well, this little gem is what I have packed in my bag (along with an assortment of berry colored Nonnie Kaftans)! But I'm not naming where I'm headed because no one loves a crowd!