What do Blackpink’s Jennie Kim, Bella Hadid, and Olivia Rodrigo have in common? Well, for one, they’re all fans of Sandy Liang. The Chinese-American designer combines a girlish playfulness and a sense of wistful nostalgia with a stylish, cool vibe; resulting in hyper-feminine clothes and accessories that are unmistakably Sandy Liang-coded.
The nuances of childhood and femininity run through every Sandy Liang design, including this look from her Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
While the most identifiable elements of the New York-based brand – bows and rosettes – might seem ubiquitous now thanks to balletcore and the coquette aesthetic, truth is, they are not new to the fashion world. But it’s in the way Liang modifies and incorporates them into her designs, as seen in her oversized flower scrunchies, mixed metal jewellery and exaggerated bows, that makes them so distinctive and unique to the brand. Perhaps part of Liang’s chokehold on the girls of the fashion world is due to her ability to achieve a look that is reminiscent of childhood; feminine and appropriate, outstanding yet wearable.
Inspired by her upbringing and childhood interests, Liang has said that her creative process involves designing pieces she would wear herself, with her personal style and aesthetic as her starting point. Whether you’re a Sandy Liang devotee or are just finding out about the brand, here’s what you need to know about the designer and her namesake label.