When long-time customer, “Merrick’s Woman”, and well known Princetonian Peggy Hughes asked Merrick’s to decorate a guitar in a 1960′s theme to help raise money at McCarter Theater’s Gala Benefit and silent auction, we’re betting our bell bottoms that she was expecting a gentle flower child sort of design. After all, we are a “ladies’ apparel store” are we not?

Well yes, we are, but we’re also the generation of ladies that burned our “you know what’s” and demanded equality for women in the workplace and in the home. So true to our nature, we boldly emblazoned our guitar with the lyrics from Steppenwolf’s iconoclastic hit tune “Born to be Wild”.

The theme of the song reflects the importance of individuality and self expression (a Merrick’s fashion mantra), as well as the desire to grab life with two hands and live it to its fullest.

“Yeah Darlin’ go and make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace”

Merrick’s applauds women of every age who reflect this passion in their daily lives as mothers, wives, sisters and friends.

Merrick’s own Nesrin Avci designed and decorated the guitar for the McCarter Theater benefit gala. Nesrin is a multi-talented artist, designer, costume designer and clothing maker who we are truly blessed to have on staff as one of our seamstresses.

“Born to be Wild” will be one of fifty guitars decorated by area artists that will be used as centerpieces during the dinner and then sold by silent auction at the dessert reception at McCarter on Saturday May 4th. All proceeds will benefit McCarter’s artistic and educational programs.

p.s. – Attending the Gala and wondering what to wear? We’ve got a wonderful assortment of colorful skirts, tanks, tops and blouses that will have you flashing back to the 60′s in no time at all!