lippman
HEIDI MERRICK AT 20
Heidi Merrick Approaches 20 Years With Gratitude and a Bold Attitude
California brand Heidi Merrick has reached a milestone moment as its namesake designer celebrates 20 years of creating pieces she hopes will make women feel beautiful and special. Merrick continues to expand her business—adding intimate in-store events and apothecary collaborations with other female brand founders. “I will always pursue elevating the women I know,” noted Merrick.
The Heidi Merrick evolution also included operating from the same guiding principles as when she started out, which includes a trait she refers to as her “I’ll-prove-you-wrong attitude.”
“The real truth of California style and elegance is really elevated. We are the women who go to premieres and galas. We are the women who can host a big dinner party and ride a horse,” Merrick said. “There is a diverse, beautiful lifestyle, but people want Los Angeles designers to fill that Barbie-pop idea of fashion.”
Her recent Spring/Summer 2026 collection brought Merrick back to some beloved designs that didn’t make the cut during their initial seasons. These include the Gia dress and Geometry skirt that she created in 2012. They are now being released with updated details such as silk noil and standout trim.
“That was something I did for myself, to prove I am myself and haven’t changed,” said Merrick. “It’s just refined. That is something that really serves me as a person—acknowledging that the designs early on were worthy and lovely and maybe not right for the time—but they are still timeless and beautiful.”
There is also the Ballerine dress, inspired by a bathing suit she designed years ago, which became a best-selling top. The Gayle dress and Gayle skirt were created from a pattern Merrick made in design school and named for a teacher at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
“When it’s special to you, it’s special to other people,” said Merrick. “L.A. has been so kind to me … I just want to say how grateful I am. All the people wearing it—from celebrities to the mom who is buying a SRF sweatshirt. From Malibu to Silverlake it’s been really great. I’ll always be so grateful for L.A. and what it has done for me.”
Heidi Merrick is available at heidimerrick.com and at the Summerland, Calif., flagship.
