Sandy Liang is a New York-based fashion designer whose work has defined the “downtown coquette” aesthetic of the 2020s. After briefly studying architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design, she transferred to Parsons School of Design, launching her namesake label in 2014 immediately after graduation. Her brand is famously rooted in hyper-local and nostalgic inspirations, particularly the “Chinatown grandma” style she observed while growing up in Queens and spending time at her father’s Manhattan restaurant, Congee Village. She rose to mainstream prominence in 2019 when her leopard-print fleece jackets became a viral sensation, leading to the opening of her Lower East Side flagship store in 2020.

Liang has solidified her reputation for blending “girlhood nostalgia” with technical utility, often utilizing motifs like ribbons, bows, and lace alongside gorpcore-inspired silhouettes. Her expansion into footwear (specifically her signature ballet-inspired Mary Janes) has created a cult following frequently compared to that of streetwear giants.

Based in New York, she continues to lead her label with a focus on “timeless innovation,” maintaining a creative philosophy that prioritizes personal history and self-expression over fleeting industry trends.