Hyper-feminine styles like balletcore, barbiecore, and the coquette aesthetic have been taking the fashion industry by storm in 2023. The trend’s popularity can be attributed to a wide variety of reasons, from Greta Gerwig releasing the highly-anticipated Barbie movie to Hollywood A-listers sporting feminine pieces by international designers. One fashion brand that has been particularly admired for their dainty aesthetic is Sandy Liang, a ready-to-wear fashion label that has been worn by influential style stars such as Bella Hadid, Olivia Rodrigo, Jennie Kim, and Alison Brie.
Curious to learn more about this celebrity-favorite? Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about the brand and its namesake founder.
Who Is Sandy Liang?
Born on June 4, 1991, Sandy Liang was raised in New York City’s Queens by her brother and father. Growing up as the heiress to a famous congee restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Sandy would eventually glean inspiration from her father’s restaurant for her future fashion label. She initially took up architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design before deciding to pursue her passion for styling and fashion design at Parsons School of Design.
When she finished her college studies in 2014, she officially established her eponymous fashion brand with the vision of combining ‘90s nostalgia and contemporary trends. Heavily influenced by the lively environment of Chinatown and childhood memories at her family’s restaurant, Sandy’s designs were described as sentimental, playful, and childlike from the get-go. In fact, her very first collection was informed by how grandmothers regularly dress in Chinatown.
She also held her debut runway for Spring/Summer 2015 at her family’s restaurant and shot most of her look books around her neighborhood. After getting featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 three years later, Sandy began making her mark in the fashion industry and experienced her first taste of fame.
What Makes the Sandy Liang Brand Stand Out?
The brand skyrocketed to popularity after releasing a line of printed fleece jackets that gained traction during New York Fashion Week 2019. The fashion label’s first flagship retail store was also established at the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 2020 despite the financial crisis that the COVID-19 pandemic brought.
Last year, the brand marked another milestone and released their first-ever footwear collection. Designed after the pointe shoe, the line of mary janes earned the brand a dedicated following of dainty dressers with a penchant for balletcore and coquette. The internet-famous collection also paved the way for the brand's first bridal collection and second footwear collection a year later.
Now, Sandy Liang has officially solidified its status in the industry as an innovative fashion label that has been lauded by Hollywood A-listers and the general public alike. From ribbons and bows to satin and lace, its collections always call back to evocative elements of Sandy’s Chinese-American girlhood such as hand-me-down clothes, Hello Kitty, and ballet shows.
International Celebrities Wearing Sandy Liang
1. Olivia Rodrigo
For her latest performance at the VMAs, Gen Z pop star Olivia Rodrigo donned a bespoke skirt set to match her signature cherry-red lipstick and retro-inspired style.
2. Bella Hadid
While sightseeing in Milan, it girl Bella Hadid was spotted wearing the opening look from Sandy Liang’s Spring/Summer 2023 showcase. She injected a touch of cool girl into the look with a pair of Adidas x Yohji Yamamoto sneakers and a Gucci bag.
3. AnnaSophia Robb
AnnaSophia Robb embraced her dainty side as she watched the brand’s runway presentation at New York Fashion Week. In typical Sandy Liang fashion, her ensemble was punctuated with flowers, bows, and pearls.
4. Hayley Williams
Seated alongside AnnaSophia Robb at the showcase was Hayley Williams. Clad in lace and leather, the Paramore singer matched her edgy taste in fashion to Sandy Liang’s hyper-feminine aesthetic.
5. Jennie Kim
BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim didn’t miss the chance to play dress-up when she visited the Sandy Liang flagship store in the Big Apple. She tried on numerous looks at the shop, including a monochromatic ensemble that bared her toned abs, and a sheer pink number with the cutest matching scrunchies.
6. Alison Brie
Fun fact: Alison Brie is one of the early supporters of Sandy Liang! Back in 2018, she wore a dress from its Fall 2018 collection to MTV Movie & TV Awards.
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