Sandy Liang’s FW25 collection, unveiled at New York Fashion Week last month, intertwines childhood nostalgia with sophisticated design, presenting a unique interpretation of youthful fashion through an adult lens. The collection reflects what being a grown-up might look like to a child, featuring modest pencil skirts, crossbody bags, and pearl necklaces.
Liang’s latest collection draws inspiration from everyday objects that evoke the innocence and creativity of youth. In her show notes, Liang touched on these inspirations, where she said, “Memories of visiting ToysRUs in the nineties or moments from favorite films, like ‘The Snowman’ and ‘The Parent Trap,’ are imbued within the collection.” Beloved toys from Liang’s past, including Polly Pocket, Tamagotchi, and the RadioShack Kid Digital Organizer, pattern the skirt in Look 30, adding to the collection’s nostalgic feel. This nostalgia-forward approach, applied throughout the collection, results in pieces that are both whimsical and practical, resonating with those who appreciate fashion that balances elegance with a playful demeanor. This is especially noticeable in Liang’s origami star print skirt as well as her 1999 calendar skirt, which express her collection’s spirited yet refined aesthetic.
A notable aspect of Liang’s latest collection is its emphasis on lively accessories that tie each of its garments together. Handbags, ranging from rounded and mini crossbodies to a variety of tote shoulder bags, are featured in nearly every look, evoking an on-the-go energy balanced with the 80s and 90s nostalgia of the collection. I personally love the bow detail on the pink crossbody in Look 26 because of the girly element that it brings to the overall look. The inclusion of ribbon detailing and dynamic prints in the skirts seen in Looks 29 and 31 adds a touch of Liang’s personal, feminine aesthetic. These elements contribute to a cohesive ensemble that is both eye-catching and harmonious, balancing the clean-cut garments with more youthful elements.
Liang’s attention to detail is evident in the collection’s subtle incorporation of metallic pencil skirts and frosty lips, symbolizing her inspiration of 80s and 90s fashion in her designs. Look 30 is a great blend of the more corporate look with youthful influences, with its pink and white-striped dress shirt layered under sweaters, combined with the model’s pink eyeshadow and nude lip combo. The blue digital diary printed on Look 30’s olive-green pencil skirt stood out to me personally, since I always carried a diary as a young girl and would often see commercials for digital diaries on TV. Similar to the digital diaries of my childhood, the digital diary on Look 30’s skirt has yellow and orange buttons with options to record, take photos, and even care for a virtual puppy. One would never expect a sophisticated pencil skirt to include images of old children’s toys, and this is precisely what adds nuance to the garments.
With that being said, the collection doesn’t feel overdone or underwhelming because of the balance Liang strikes between vibrant, girly elements and the clean, straight lines of the garments. Look 20 had a strong impression on me in this regard, with its open-toed boots featuring balls in-between the toes, diary dress shirt and matching skirt, and black participation ribbon. There is a lot going on in this look, but the way that Liang expertly integrates the more mature aspect of the dress shirt and pearls with the bright green boots and playful print of the zip-up jacket and skirt somehow make it work.
This concept of balance is also apparent in Look 10, where a striking deep-purple dress shirt, matching tie, and black dress pants are paired with whimsical bow heels and a mini, pastel-pink barrel bag. Liang’s originality in her fusion of everyday and unconventional wardrobe ensures that the clothing is both functional and stylish. This reflects Liang’s understanding of her audience being practical individuals leading energetic lives while also holding strong connections to their past.
In essence, Liang’s FW25 collection is a harmonious blend of childhood imagination and adult sophistication. The clothes embody individualism and cool-girl, dress-up energy that captures the spirit of the Sandy Liang woman as she navigates through different phases of her life. By drawing inspiration from nostalgic objects and incorporating unconventional prints and accessories, Liang has created a line that resonates with a wide audience. The collection’s thoughtful details, innovative designs, and practical appeal solidify Liang’s position as a designer skillfully bridging the gap between worldliness and fun.
Words by Jade Pettyjohn
Graphic by Eve Friday