Tickle Me Tuesdays are back! Every Tuesday, FMM will bring you our must haves from our most favorite designers internationally. Enjoy the pretty and the designers!

By Courtney Iseman, Contributing Writer

Merritt Charles’ Alison dress captures the spirit of West Coast luxury: sophisticated yet fun, carefree and a bit precocious  – basically the girl who has everything and looks effortlessly chic at the same time.

Merritt Charles sets the scene perfectly for the Alison dress with a game of croquet, the perfect upper-crust, classic Beverly Hills parallel for this dreamy basic dress. I had the chance to ask Merritt Charles creator, Lacey Horning, a few questions about the Alison dress, the line and the lifestyle.

FMM: What was your path to becoming a designer and starting Merritt Charles?

LH: I wanted to create a chic and modern lifestyle brand that exudes casual modern elegance. Luxurious, modern, comfortable and chic. As a company, we want to go beyond the lifestyle of clothing and move into art and entertainment.

FMM: What are your inspirations for the Merritt Charles line? For the Alison dress, specifically?

LH: I am inspired by new things every day that I incorporate into the brand.  This season I was inspired by the laid back late 1960’s coupled with the old Sinatra and Crosby lifestyle. I wanted to create a dress that was high quality, lightweight and comfortable and that became The Alison. It is so light and airy that you can even fold it up and nicely place it into your handbag for a last minute stylish layer or just for an outfit change in general.

FMM: How would you describe the Merritt Charles lifestyle ? Who is the girl in the Alison dress: where is she going, what is she doing?

LH:  The Merritt Charles lifestyle is feeling good in the mind, body and soul.  Wearing the line gives women the ability to look effortlessly sexy.  The pieces in collection are very versatile and you can dress them up or down.

FMM: How does the Alison dress capture the essence of LA style?

LH: West Coast style has always been more laid back than East Coast, but this collection works for both.  You can easily layer The Alison for a night out in the city or throw it on for a beach day.  This dress captures modern elegance.

FMM: What makes the Alison dress a wardrobe staple?

LH: It is 100% tencel fabric from Italy and manufactured in the US.  Its just one of those pieces that is a quality staple to keep around forever.  It has a timeless appeal to it because of its modern and basic shape.  People say, “Wow. It is more comfortable than wearing nothing.” I say, “You have to feel it to believe it.”

FMM: What is your favorite trend right now?

LH: Flowy everything.  From dresses to tops to pants.

FMM: Where can we find the Allison dress, as well as other Merritt Charles designs?

LH: In LA you can find the collection at Fred Segal Fun in Santa Monica or for other locations you can see a list  on our website www.merrittcharles.com. You can also email sales@merrittcharles.com to order anything from the website.

FMM: How do you get the word out about Merritt Charles?

LH: We put quality of product and customer service above anything.  With being positive and growing relationships with our customers, the word naturally spreads.

FMM: What role does social media play for you?

LH: We use social media to keep our fans and MC Family Members up to date on new releases, events and updates with the company.

FMM: What does the future hold for Merritt Charles?

LH: The Merritt Charles Company has plans to expand to twice the size for Fall / Winter 2010 season.  An upswing of fashion, style of comfort is being thrown into the season.  Merritt Charles will be showing off its city side this time.