About Holly Merritt

Holly Merritt passed on in March 2025. Thank you for visiting.

I’ve been sewing professionally for about thirty years and started my line of leather garments in 1992. 

  • In 2008 I was awarded the first place award for artistry in the fiber category at the Sausalito Art Festival, considered one of the very best art shows in the country.
  • In 1993 I had the honor of receiving the “Mill Valley Award of Excellence”. Needless to say I was thrilled!
  • Other awards include Scottsdale Arts Festival 1st Place Fiber Award in 1999 and 2nd Place in 2000.

Shiboried Leather Blazer by Holly MerrittShibori

To achieve the exotic, organic animal like look on the leather, I use a technique called Shibori, an ancient Japanese resist dyeing process. Shibori comes from the Japanese verb meaning to wring, squeeze or press. 

I’ve derived my own adaptation of Shibori to get the unusual effects you see on my leather garments. I also combine my love of textiles with leather using imported hand-woven fabrics, tapestries, double weaves, beads, adornments, silks and anything the inspires me!

 
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