Getting to Know Us: Merin from the MO Editorial Team

Meet Merin, who is one half of DC’s Pleatherette.

She’s been writing for MO since April 2012, and we think she is awesome. Merin grew up in the suburbs of LA in Pasadena, CA, which is home of the Rose Bowl and the “little old lady from Pasadena” (of no relation to Merin).

Fortunately for Merin, she missed the typical Pasadena life characterized by trophy wives, pool clubs, private school and Rose Bowl mayhem by attending a boarding school, which pretty much saved her from becoming a future cast member of the “Housewives of Orange County.”

Merin went from “Cruel Intentions” to an all-girls boarding school with a focus on feminism and really hard work. She then went off to college and married a Southerner (a very sweet and wonderful one).

More of a city gal than a suburb dweller, Merin loves anything that is alive with life: conflict, noise, grit, grime, and everything else vivid.

She lives in the U Street area of DC where she loves to live the city life: frequenting her favorite local small businesses, hanging out in Meridian Hill park, spoiling her two cats and getting really excited by the emerging designers and fashion types seeking out a living in DC.

She once worked at an arts nonprofit, where she learned everything about having a real job and decided that real jobs are less for her than her parents think. So she and her friend Emma founded Pleatherette, a small fashion consulting company.

Merin enjoys doing anything that is creative and a challenge, which she thinks is not only the best reply to “what do you do?” but it’s also what she’s built her life around.

We took a moment to ask Merin five questions about her thoughts on life, fashion and Ryan Gosling:

If you had the power to make bans worldwide, what’s the one fashion trend that you you would ban?
Easy - jean skirts with Ugg boots. Yes, people still do this. No, I don't know why. I might just ban Uggs altogether.

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, and nothing else, which movie would it be.
"To Catch a Thief." Hitchcock, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant and the French Riviera. My mom got me hooked as a small child and I can watch it again and again and again.

Would you rather end hunger or hatred?
Hatred

Who is your favorite fashion designer?
Tara Jarmon. She's not well known in the US, but is actually a California girl (originally) based in Paris with a french womenswear line. I'd wear almost anything she made. It might be because we're the same person, being from California and all. Except the whole not living in Paris part (technicalities...)

James Franco or Ryan Gosling?
Ryan Gosling. But not just Ryan Gosling... Ryan Gosling, Arts Administrator. Google it. You're welcome.

P.S. Also be sure to check out one of our favorite Pleatherette  articles, a summery Icon Archives on the exotic and glamorous Carmen Miranda.