The Childlike Wonder of Sandy Liang

Sandy Liang FW/25

Testament to its name, Sandy Liang’s self-named brand is an autobiography, finding its roots in her childhood and culture in 90s New York— her Fall/Winter 2025 collection is no different. Various shades of pink, blue, and green provide the color palette for a number of nostalgia-soaked pieces: a skirt covered in a tutorial for origami stars is paired with a puffer patterned with the pastel pages of a child’s planner, while a schoolgirl-style dress features a puffy “sticker” filled with doll clothes. As the collection continues, colors become less bright and more conservative. With them, the pieces become more mature; strings of pearls and 3/4-zip sweaters reflect both old-fashioned and modern office staples. Eventually, these girlish pieces and their professional counterparts come together, complementing each other in perfect fashion before finishing with campy takes on the looks previous.

Sandy’s collection tells the story of growing up, losing the inner child, and finding it once again. The sweet, childhood looks and loves give way to the requirements and responsibilities of adulthood. As time progresses, space is found in the adult world for the inner child, too; eventually they are able to cohabitate in one’s life in a reflection of the multi-faceted self. In certain looks, a ribbon reminiscent of awards won in childhood. In their center, childhood images at different ages are featured. In a sense, these ribbons reflect that growing up is something to be proud of, and these various versions of oneself are milestones in our developing personhood we should acknowledge and celebrate in shaping us into the people we are today.

When almost everything feels uncertain, Sandy’s newest collection reflects the comforting silhouettes of an old friend. Further, it reminds us to make space for our younger selves, no matter how old we get.