Romanticism has long been central to ERDEM’s visual language, with archival references, intricate details, and a distinctly British sensibility shaping a world that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. This holiday season, that aesthetic finds a new expression in beauty through a limited-edition collaboration with MERIT. Bringing together the fashion house’s romantic perspective and the beauty brand’s pared-back approach to everyday essentials, the MERIT x ERDEM Holiday Collection reimagines seasonal gifting through a considered edit of makeup, skincare, and body care.
Inspired by ERDEM’s archival runway looks, the collection centers on three limited-edition sets designed to make everyday beauty rituals feel a little more special. Rather than leaning into the excess often associated with holiday beauty, the collaboration takes a softer approach, built around wearable color, understated finishes, and small luxuries that can become part of a daily routine. Exclusive shades and carefully curated combinations give the collection its own identity, balancing MERIT’s minimalist sensibility with ERDEM’s more expressive, romantic world.

For those drawn to a subtle glow, The Winter Set offers a complete eye and cheek edit. The four-piece collection includes Day Glow in Tulle, a new rose-bronze shade; Mini Flush Balm in Carnation, a soft warm pink; Solo Shadow Sheen in Mink, an exclusive soft brown-grey; and Mini Clean Volume mascara in Black. Together, the shades create a warm, diffused palette that feels equally suited to everyday wear and the softer glamour of holiday evenings. The emphasis is on enhancing rather than transforming, with tones that bring dimension and warmth to the face without overwhelming it.
The Signature Lip Trio takes a more defined approach to color, bringing together three lip shades selected by ERDEM. Black Tie, a limited-edition deep burgundy in the Signature Lip Matte formula, introduces a richer, more dramatic note, while London, a new warm brick red in Signature Lip Blush, offers a softer interpretation of a classic statement lip. The set also includes Signature Lip Satin in Bespoke, completing a trio that moves between finishes and moods. For holiday dressing, the collection offers an easy way to shift a beauty look from understated to more expressive, with lip color serving as the finishing detail.

Rounding out the collaboration, the Retrospect Soap Trio turns an everyday necessity into a small indulgence. The set includes three miniature hand soaps in MERIT’s signature Retrospect scent, extending the collection beyond makeup and into the rituals that shape a beauty routine. Its compact format makes it an approachable gift for those who appreciate thoughtful details, while the fragrance adds a sensory dimension to a product often overlooked in the pursuit of more elaborate self-care.
Together, the three sets offer different interpretations of the same idea: beauty as an extension of personal style. ERDEM’s romantic sensibility lends the collection a sense of occasion, while MERIT keeps the products grounded in the ease and versatility of everyday use. Whether chosen for the soft glow of The Winter Set, the statement-making shades of the Signature Lip Trio, or the understated luxury of Retrospect, the collaboration approaches holiday gifting with an eye toward pieces that feel considered long after the season has passed. In a time of year often defined by excess, MERIT x ERDEM makes a case for the beauty of a well-edited collection.

Article by Emma Green, Assistant to Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel Lopez, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
*Images Courtesy of MERIT x ERDEM

MERIT x ERDEM Brings Romanticism to the Holiday Beauty Edit